Well-Child Visits: How Often and What's Checked

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a series of well-child visits from the newborn period through adolescence, known as the Bright Futures periodicity schedule. Here’s an overview of how the visit schedule works and what tends to happen at each one.

Visit Schedule

Visits typically begin with a newborn check at 3 to 5 days, followed by checkups around 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months. Additional visits are usually scheduled at 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, and again at 3 years. After age 3, annual visits tend to continue through the teen years.

What’s Included at Each Visit

Each visit generally includes growth measurements, a physical exam, and age-appropriate developmental screening. Vision and hearing checks, immunizations, and guidance on nutrition, sleep, and safety are commonly built into the schedule as well, with the exact focus shifting depending on the child’s age.

Scheduling and Cost

Unlike a single national program, well-child visits in the U.S. are typically scheduled directly with a pediatrician’s or family doctor’s office rather than through a separate application. Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans — including Marketplace and Medicaid plans — are required to cover recommended well-baby and well-child visits with no copay, coinsurance, or deductible when done in-network, though older “grandfathered” plans and some employer or government plans may be exempt, so checking with your insurer beforehand can confirm what your plan covers.

When Not to Wait for the Next Visit

If a screening at a visit comes back flagged for further evaluation, following up within the recommended timeframe is encouraged rather than waiting for the next scheduled checkup. Regardless of the visit calendar, a child who becomes suddenly limp, unresponsive, or unable to feed or eat should be seen right away rather than waiting for their next appointment. This information is based on U.S. (AAP) guidance; if you live elsewhere, check with a local pediatric provider for country-specific recommendations. This information isn’t a diagnostic tool and doesn’t replace advice from a medical professional.