Well-child check-up
Child health check-ups: growth, psychomotor development, diet, sleep and vaccines, with time for parents' questions.
What they're for
A well-child check-up isn't a formality: it's the appointment where things that don't yet cause symptoms are caught in time. It monitors growth — weight, height and head circumference against their curves —, psychomotor development, vision and hearing, diet, sleep and behaviour. It's also the moment to answer questions nobody has time to ask when the child is unwell.
What's checked by age
- The first months: feeding and breastfeeding, weight curve, sleep, screening tests and a hip examination.
- Ages 1 to 3: walking, language, introducing solid food and independence.
- School age: vision and hearing, posture and back, habits, performance and weight.
- Adolescence: puberty, diet, sport, sleep and emotional health.
Vaccines
At every check-up, the schedule is confirmed to be up to date and any questions about age-appropriate vaccines, including non-funded ones, are answered. What to expect after each dose and when to seek advice is explained.
Reasons to bring the appointment forward
There's no need to wait for the check-up if the child isn't gaining weight, stops doing something they used to do, doesn't respond to sounds or doesn't make eye contact, language isn't progressing, there's a persistent high fever, or something worries you even if you can't quite explain it. Parents' instincts are right far more often than they get credit for. When needed, this coordinates with children's nutrition or the relevant specialty.
Frequently asked questions
What is the point of check-ups if my child is well?
For exactly that: they are the appointment where whatever is not yet causing symptoms is picked up in time. Growth, psychomotor development, vision and hearing, feeding, sleep and behaviour are all monitored, and the questions there is never time to ask when a child is ill get answered.
Are vaccines given at the same appointment?
At every check-up we make sure the schedule is up to date and answer any questions about the vaccines due for that age, including those not publicly funded. We explain what to expect after each dose and when you should get in touch.
When should I not wait for the next check-up?
If the child is not gaining weight, if they stop doing something they already did, if they do not respond to sounds or make eye contact, if language is not progressing, if there is persistent high fever or if something worries you even though you cannot explain it. That parental instinct is right more often than not.
What is checked at a well-child visit?
Weight, height and head circumference plotted on their growth charts, psychomotor and language development, vision and hearing, feeding, sleep and behaviour, a complete physical examination and the vaccination schedule. And the family's questions, which have time of their own at the well-child visit.
At what ages should well-child check-ups be carried out?
They are more frequent during the first year — several visits — then annual or every two years during school age, and they continue through adolescence. The specific schedule varies according to each region's child health programme; at the appointment you are told when the next one is due.