Routine visits to a pediatrician are a vital part of maintaining your child’s health and development. These scheduled appointments—commonly called well-child visits—allow healthcare providers to track your child’s growth, administer vaccines, and offer guidance at every stage.
Let’s explore how often your child should be seeing a pediatrician, based on age.
Visit Timeline by Age
Infants (0–12 Months)
Babies need frequent monitoring during their first year due to rapid growth and developmental changes. The typical visit schedule includes:
Within the first week (usually 3–5 days after birth)
At 2 weeks
At 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months
These visits focus on feeding, sleep patterns, immunizations, and checking that your baby is meeting early milestones.
Toddlers (1–3 Years)
As your child becomes more active and independent, visits should occur at:
15 months
18 months
24 months
30 months (optional but beneficial)
3 years
Doctors monitor speech, mobility, and emotional behavior during this stage, while continuing with vaccinations and safety advice.
Preschool to Teenage Years (4–18 Years)
Once your child turns 3, annual check-ups are generally sufficient. These visits cover:
Height, weight, and BMI
Vision and hearing screening
Immunization updates
Physical and emotional health check-ins, especially during adolescence
Why These Visits Are So Important
Even if your child appears perfectly healthy, regular pediatric appointments help:
Catch developmental or health issues early
Ensure vaccines are current
Provide expert advice for nutrition, behavior, and safety
Monitor physical and emotional changes
Establish a trusted healthcare relationship
When to Schedule Extra Visits
Outside of routine check-ups, you should see a pediatrician if your child:
Has a high fever, prolonged cough, or digestive issues
Shows signs of delayed growth or development
Is frequently sick or has unexplained symptoms
Experiences behavioral or emotional changes
Conclusion
Keeping up with pediatric visits ensures your child is on the right path physically, mentally, and emotionally. For reliable care, consult a trusted expert like Dr. Ankita Dave – Best Child Specialist in Mumbai, known for her supportive and thorough pediatric services.