Most newborns see a pediatrician within the first few days after birth, again around 2 weeks, and then roughly monthly through the first year. Here's what typically happens at these visits, and questions worth bringing so you don't forget them in the moment.
Note: This is general information, not medical advice. Your pediatrician's office can tell you their specific visit schedule and what to bring.
What Happens at a Typical Well-Baby Visit
- Weight, height, and head circumference measured and plotted on a growth chart
- A physical exam - heart, lungs, hips, reflexes, and more
- A conversation about feeding, sleep, and diapers since the last visit
- Vaccines, when they're due at that age
- A chance to ask questions and raise anything you've noticed
A Simple Checklist of Questions to Bring
It's easy to forget questions the moment you're in the room. A running list helps:
- Is my baby feeding, sleeping, and gaining weight as expected?
- Is there anything about this stage of development I should watch for?
- Anything unusual you've noticed - a rash, a sound, a behavior - even if it seems minor
- Questions about vaccines due at this visit
- When's the next visit, and what should you expect between now and then?
What to Bring With You
- A general sense of recent feeding, sleep, and diaper patterns
- Notes on anything unusual - symptoms, timing, how long it lasted
- Your baby's vaccine record, if you keep a paper or digital copy
- ID and insurance information, if applicable
Making the Most of a Short Appointment
Well-baby visits are often short, and it's easy to leave feeling like you forgot to mention half of what you meant to. Having a written summary of the last few weeks - rather than trying to recall it on the spot - makes it much easier to actually cover what matters in the time you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a newborn see the pediatrician in the first year?
Typically within the first few days after birth, again around 2 weeks, and then roughly monthly through the first year, though the exact schedule varies by clinic.
What is measured at a well-baby visit?
Weight, height, and head circumference are measured and plotted on a growth chart at nearly every visit, alongside a physical exam.
Should I write down questions before a doctor visit?
Yes - appointments are often short, and a written list helps make sure you actually cover what you meant to ask.
Related Reading
Walk in with a ready-made summary
Milli can generate an on-device PDF doctor report covering feeding, sleep, diapers, growth, health events and vaccines over the last 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months - built from what you've already logged, ready to bring to any visit.