Prior to  discharge from the birth hospital you should already have a primary care pediatrician selected, your child pre-registered in our office, and a scheduled newborn visit in the next few days.   This first visit helps us gather a lot of important information about your new baby and his/her family. Please bring any discharge documents provided for your baby to this first visit.  There are no routine vaccines given at this visit, unless your baby did not receive the Hepatitis B vaccine after delivery. You may be asked to return to have your child weighed prior to the next well visit at 1 month of age.

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During your child's first 2 years of age there are many well visits planned so that we get to know your child and your family and are able to  track your child's physical, developmental and emotional growth closely during those years of rapid change.  

At each of these visits your pediatrician will obtain, plot and review your baby's weight, height and head circumference.  He/she will also be asking about your child's eating, voiding, and sleeping habits, any concerns about your child or your child's family,  and any recent hospital or doctor visits.  

You will be asked to complete a developmental screen which will be reviewed with your pediatrician, and will be given lots of opportunity to ask questions.  Scheduled vaccines will be reviewed.  At each visit you will also be provided with anticipatory guidance, topics which pediatricians are asked to discuss with the parents to help them keep their child health and safe.

These visits occur at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months and 2 years of age.  Routine vaccines are given at almost all of these visits.  At 9 months and again at 2 years we routinely screen a baby for anemia (low iron) and an elevated lead level.

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These visits are scheduled on a yearly basis with your child's primary care pediatrician.  Routine vaccines are normally given at 4 years and 11 years.  At 3-4 years we will begin to monitor blood pressure, hearing and vision.  Your pediatrician will continue to monitor your child's growth, behavior, development and emotional health.