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1 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download a printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

  • Weigh and measure your baby to make sure she's growing at a healthy rate.
  • Check that the cord stump has fallen off and the belly button is healing well. If your baby is a boy and he was circumcised, the doctor will examine your baby's penis, too.
  • Give your baby a hepatitis B shot if she didn't receive one at birth or a previous office visit.
  • Recommend vitamin D drops for breastfeeding babies. (Babies who drink 17 to 32 ounces of formula a day are getting enough vitamin D.)
  • Address any health concerns that she notices (diaper rash and cradle cap are common now).
  • Offer insight into your baby's development, feeding, and sleeping.
  • Check your baby's eyesight and hearing.

Questions the doctor may ask:

  • How is your baby sleeping? (Normal sleeping patterns are still erratic this month, but most babies will sleep in two- to three-hour chunks during the day and night for a total of about 15 hours. By now one period of sleep may be a little longer than the others — that's the first step toward a full night's rest for the baby and you.)
  • What position does your baby sleep in? (To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), put your baby to sleep on her back.)
  • When, how, and how often is your baby eating? (Most 1-month-olds eat every two to three hours. The doctor asks these questions to determine whether your baby is getting enough breast milk or formula to thrive, and to see if you have any concerns about feeding.)
  • What are your baby's bowel movements like? (Soft feces are best, but color can vary. Dry or pellet-like stools are a sign of dehydration, or a sign of constipation in a formula-fed infant. Tell your doctor if you notice this.)
  • Does your baby quiet down, at least briefly, at the sound of your voice? (This behavior tells you and the doctor two things: Your baby is beginning to recognize you, and she sees you as a source of comfort and nurturing.)
  • Is your baby awake for longer periods of time? (There's no right amount of alert time, but a general trend toward longer periods of alertness is a sign that your baby's developing normally.)
  • Does she make soft cooing noises when she's content and alert? (It's still several months before she'll utter her first real words, but these happy baby sounds are the first step.)
  • Have you noticed anything unusual about your baby's eyes or the way she looks at things? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your baby's ability to move them correctly.)
  • Is she a little fussier at the end of the day? (It's normal for 1-month-olds to fuss in the evening, especially between 6 p.m. and midnight. As your baby starts staying awake for longer periods during the day, she'll begin feeling more tired and irritable at night.)
  • Are you giving your baby tummy time when she's awake? (Tummy time is essential from day one – when your child is awake and you're watching her, of course. Experts find that babies who don't spend time facedown often have some delays in their development of motor skills. And if you don't start it right away, your baby may resist it later.)
  • Does your baby hold her head up when placed on her tummy? (Head control is an important developmental milestone. If your baby can't hold her head up at least briefly by now, tell the doctor.)

What's next?

 

2 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download a printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

Questions the doctor may ask:

  • How is your baby sleeping? (At this age, many babies are starting to sleep a little longer at night and less during the day. The average is about nine to ten hours per night – though not all at once – and five to six hours during the day, broken up into two or three naps.)
  • When, how, and how often is your baby eating? (Most 2-month-olds still eat every two to three hours, though they may begin to eat slightly less often later this month. The doctor asks feeding questions to determine whether your baby is getting enough breast milk or formula to thrive.)
  • What are your baby's bowel movements like? (Soft feces are best, but color can vary. Dry or pellet-like stools are a sign of dehydration, or a sign of constipation in a formula-fed infant. Tell your doctor if you notice this.)
  • What is your baby's crying pattern? (If your baby is particularly fussy or colicky, the doctor may suggest ways to soothe him.) Have you noticed a change? Many babies begin to "settle" at about 6 to 8 weeks.
  • How's your baby's head control? (Head control is an important developmental milestone. By now your baby should be able to hold his head up when he's on his stomach.)
  • Can your baby push up on his forearms? (This development in your baby's strength and coordination, which could happen this month or next, is the precursor to the mini-pushup he'll master at about 4 months.)
  • How does your baby respond when you talk to him? (At this age your baby should be cooing on his own and at you – it's one of the first steps in his language development.)
  • Does your baby smile? (Most babies are smiling voluntarily by this age – it's one of their earliest social behaviors.)
  • Have you noticed anything unusual about your baby's eyes or the way he looks at things? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your baby's ability to move them correctly.)
  • How's your baby's hearing? (Hearing is mature from birth, so if your baby's not turning toward voices, especially familiar ones, tell the doctor.
  • What's your baby's posture like? (By now your baby should have relaxed a bit from the scrunched-up fetal position. His legs should come down when he's lying on his back. But if he's overly limp – he feels like he'll slip out of your arms – or has uneven movements, tell your doctor.)
  • Are you giving your baby tummy time when he's awake? (Tummy time is essential from day one – when your child is awake and you're watching him, of course. Experts find that babies who don't spend time facedown often have some delays in their development of motor skills. And if you don't start it right away, your baby may resist it later.)

What's next?:

 

4 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download the printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

  • Weigh and measure your baby to make sure she's growing at a healthy, steady rate.
  • Measure your baby's head size to keep track of her brain growth.
  • Give your baby her second big round of immunizations (Recommended vaccines: DTaP, Hib, polio, and rotavirus).
  • Address any health concerns (constipation, colds, and the flu are common).
  • Answer your questions about childcare and transitions.
  • Offer insight into your baby's development, temperament, and behavior.
  • Check your baby's eyesight and hearing.
  • Suggest ways of setting up a bedtime routine to help you and your baby get more sleep.

 

Questions the doctor may ask:

  • How's your baby sleeping? (Your baby's sleep patterns probably haven't changed that much over the past couple of months, although she may be shifting even more of her sleep time from naps to night.)
  • When, how, and how often is your baby eating? (Some babies aren't ready for solids quite yet – 4 to 6 months is the recommended time – but it can't hurt to talk to the doctor about it now. Ask the doctor how and when you should begin, and whether your baby needs any extra vitamins.)
  • What are your baby's bowel movements like? (Soft feces are best, but color can vary. If your baby has ever passed frequent, smelly, watery, mucus-streaked stools, it's probably diarrhea. Ask the doctor about the best way to treat it.)
  • Can your baby roll over one way or sit with support? (Both of these are skills that your baby will begin to develop around now, though she probably won't be able to roll over in both directions or sit without support until around 6 months of age.)
  • Can your baby do a mini-pushup? (This skill is typical for 4-month-olds and shows that their physical development is on track. If your baby is still having difficulty controlling or lifting her head, let the doctor know.)
  • What sounds does your baby make? (Your baby's language skills may include babbling, squealing, and even laughing. She's probably smiling at you even more now, too, sometimes even before you smile at her, and her mouth is getting quite active – exploring objects, drooling, and blowing bubbles. If your baby is making fewer sounds than she did before, tell the doctor.)
  • How are your baby's motor skills? (Your baby may now reach for and grab things. She may also be able to bring her hands together in front of her. If she uses one hand more than the other, mention it to the doctor. She should also be kicking with both legs and bouncing on them when held upright above your lap or the floor. If she holds her legs straight a lot of the time, tell the doctor.)
  • Have you noticed anything unusual about your baby's eyes or the way she looks at things? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your baby's ability to move them correctly.
  • How's your baby's hearing? (If your baby doesn't turn toward sounds, be sure to tell the doctor. The sooner potential hearing problems are investigated, the sooner they can be treated.)

 

What's next?:

 

6 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download a printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

 

  • Weigh and measure your baby to make sure he's growing at a healthy, steady rate. (If his percentiles have changed a little bit, don't worry – he's just settling into his own growth pattern.)
  • Give your baby his next round of immunizations. (Recommended vaccines: hepatitis B, DTaP, polio, and pneumococcal; also, rotavirus and Hib, but these may not be needed if certain brands of vaccine were used for previous doses).
  • Address your concerns about your baby's health, including how to treat a cold and mild diarrhea.
  • Offer insight into your baby's development, temperament, and behavior.
  • Check your baby's eyesight and hearing.
  • Help you figure out a plan to teach your baby to sleep through the night.

Questions the doctor may ask:

 

  1. How's your baby sleeping? (At 6 months your baby will probably be sleeping about 12 to 16 hours in a 24-hour period.)

  2. Does your baby seem ready for solid food? (Four to 6 months is the recommended age to start your baby on solids – that is, the mushy cereal that passes for solids. The doctor can help you decide how to begin, if you haven't already. Be sure to tell the doctor about any food allergies that run in your family. If you've already started, let the doctor know if your baby gags on food or if food always comes out of his mouth. He may have a treatable digestive problem called reflux.)

  3. What are your baby's bowel movements like? (As your baby starts eating solids, his bowel movements will get harder and smellier. But in general, your baby's stools should still be fairly soft. Dry or pellet-like stools are a sign of dehydration, or a sign of constipation in a formula-fed infant. Tell your doctor if you notice this.)

  4. Can your baby roll over or sit up? (At 6 months many babies can roll over both ways (front to back and back to front) and sit without support, although some need a little more time to master these skills. If your baby hasn't learned to roll over at least one way, tell your doctor.)

  5. Has your baby started teething? (Some babies get their first tooth as early as 6 months – or even earlier. Your baby may suffer from red, swollen, and tender gums while his teeth are erupting. Your doctor can suggest ways to soothe your baby's gums.)

  6. What sounds does your baby make? (At this age your baby's language skills include babbling, squealing, laughing, imitating others, and coughing. He's probably also making identifiable sounds such as "ba," "da," or "ma." If your baby doesn't make any sounds or is "talking" less than before, tell the doctor.)

  7. Is your baby interested in the world around him? (By now your baby should be well into exploratory play, putting objects in his mouth and banging, dropping, or throwing things. Tell the doctor if your baby doesn't seem interested in toys or other objects.)

  8. How are your baby's fine motor skills? (Your baby probably reaches for and grabs things, and he may also use his hands to sweep small objects toward him and transfer things from hand to hand.)

  9. How are your baby's gross motor skills? (Your baby should be able to bear weight on his feet when you hold him up. Bowed legs and rounded feet – arched up instead of flat for walking – are still normal at this age, but if your baby moves in a way that worries you, favors one leg, seems to tilt sideways when he moves, or tends to use only one hand, let the doctor know.)

  10. Have you noticed anything unusual about your baby's eyes or the way he looks at things? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your baby's ability to move them correctly.)

  11. How is your baby's hearing? (If your baby doesn't turn toward sounds, be sure to tell his doctor. The sooner potential hearing problems are investigated, the sooner they can be treated.)

 

What's next?:

 

9 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download a printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

  • Weigh and measure your baby to make sure she's growing at a healthy, steady rate. (If she's slowed down a little, that's okay – most babies do at this age as they settle into a long-term growth pattern.)
  • Give your baby any missed immunizations.
  • Discuss general safety for your baby such as car seat safety, childproofing your home, and poison control.
  • Make a note of how your baby looks. (Babies this age are generally plump and round, with extra chins and folds in their thighs.)
  • Make sure your baby doesn't look overly pale. (Pale skin can be a sign of iron deficiency and anemia.)
  • Answer any questions you have about vitamins. (Most babies don't need them, other than vitamin D, which your baby should get through drops or formula.)
  • Address any worries about your baby's health, including symptoms of colds, fevers, diarrhea, croup, and ear infections and how to treat them. (This is a prime age for many of these conditions.)
  • Offer insight into your baby's development, temperament, and behavior.
  • Check your baby's eyesight and hearing.

Questions the doctor may ask:

  1. How's your baby sleeping? (Your 9-month-old may be waking up often at night. She misses the fun and companionship of daytime and will be reluctant to go back to sleep. The doctor may have helpful suggestions, especially if you have detailed information on how much your baby sleeps and when. Most 9-month-olds sleep about 11 hours at night and three hours during the day.)

  2. How's your baby eating? (At this point your baby has probably begun feeding herself a few finger foods, so the doctor will ask how that's going. Tell the doctor if your baby is having trouble with solid foods or drinking from a cup.)

  3. Is your baby crawling? (By now your baby should be crawling or getting around by some other means such as scooting, slithering, or bottom-shuffling. If she hasn't already, she'll also soon start pulling up to stand.)

  4. What does your baby say? (Your baby can probably join syllables together and jabber wordlike sounds. She may even be saying "mama" and "dada," although many children still can't at this age. Also let the doctor know what your baby understands. By now she should know and respond to her own name and a few other familiar words. If she's not making any sounds or is making fewer than she was before, tell the doctor, and print out our list of early warning signs of a language/communication developmental delay.)

  5. Does your baby point at objects? (Between the ages of 9 and 12 months, most babies start pointing at things that catch their attention, such as dogs and toys. It's a nonverbal way of trying to communicate with you and an important step in language development.)

  6. What games does your baby like to play? (Most 9-month-olds love imitative games like peekaboo and patty-cake, and find great fun in banging and rattling toys. It's all part of finding out how the world works.)

  7. How are your baby's fine motor skills? (Your baby is learning to use her thumb and forefinger in a pincer grasp that lets her pick up even the tiniest objects. She probably also likes using her index fingers to poke at and explore things.)

  8. How does your baby react to strangers? (Lots of 9-month-olds are in the throes of separation anxiety and stranger anxiety. They love their parents and family members but are wary of people they don't know.)

  9. How are your baby's gross motor skills? (Your baby should be able to bear weight on her feet when she pulls herself into a standing position or you hold her up. If she can't yet get up on her hands when you put her on her stomach, or if she seems to favor using one side of her body over the other, tell the doctor. See our checklist of warning signs of a developmental delay.)

  10. How's your baby's vision? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your baby's ability to move them correctly.)

  11. How's your baby's hearing? (If your baby doesn't turn toward sounds, be sure to tell the doctor. The sooner potential hearing problems are investigated, the sooner they can be treated.)

  12. Have you looked at your home from your baby's point of view? (Now that your baby's mobile, there are areas you'll need to make sure are childproofed, such as electrical outlets. Now's also a good time to check that all medicines and cleaning products are safely locked away, and to post the poison control hotline phone number in an obvious place. You'll also want to review car seat installation instructions if you're going to switch to a convertible-type seat.)

What's next?:

12 month check-up

Our doctor visit worksheet can help guide you during your child's next appointment. You may want to read through the questions and jot down answers beforehand. Download a printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to take with you.

You can expect your baby's doctor to:

 

  • Weigh and measure your child to make sure he's growing at a healthy, steady rate.
  • Give your child his next round of immunizations (Recommended vaccines: Hib, pneumococcal, polio (if he hasn't had the third dose yet), chicken pox (varicella),  MMR, and hepatitis A (two doses between 12 and 23 months, six months apart).
  • Answer any questions you have about vitamins, if you want your child to take them.
  • Address any of your concerns about your 12-month-old's health, including how to treat colds, coughs, cuts, and bumps and falls.
  • Offer information on how (and how not) to discipline your child.
  • Make sure your child is continuing to learn new skills and not losing old ones.
  • Offer insight into your child's development, temperament, and behavior.
  • Check your child's eyesight and hearing.

 

Questions the doctor may ask:

 

  1. How does your child sleep? (Your 12-month-old may be waking up often at night. He may miss the fun and companionship of daytime and be reluctant to go back to sleep. The doctor may have helpful suggestions, especially if you can provide details on how much your child sleeps and when. Most 12-month-olds sleep a little more than 11 hours at night and just under three hours during the day.)

  2. How is your child eating? (Twelve-month-olds can feed themselves with their hands and drink from a cup. Most kids have tripled their birth weight by their first birthday. If yours is a little ahead of or behind that marker, your doctor may have suggestions for adjusting what and how much he eats.)

  3. How many teeth does your child have? (Many 12-month-olds have as many as eight teeth. Your child may suffer from red, swollen, and tender gums when his teeth are erupting, and your doctor can suggest ways to soothe them. Brush your child's teeth, using a fluoride-free toothpaste.)

  4. Is your child pulling up? Standing? Walking? (By now your child is probably an experienced cruiser and can stand on his own. He may even have taken his first steps. If not, don't worry – many children don't walk until they're 14 or 15 months old. But if your child can't bear his own weight on his legs, tell the doctor. In addition to pulling up and standing, your child should also be crawling or getting around some other way. If he's not, let the doctor know.)

  5. Does your child point at objects? (Between 9 and 12 months, most children start pointing at things that catch their attention, such as dogs and toys. It's a nonverbal way of trying to communicate with you and an important step in language development.)

  6. What does your child say? (At this age most kids can join syllables together and jabber wordlike sounds, say "mama" and "dada," and maybe say a couple of other words as well. Let the doctor know what your child understands. He should know and respond to his own name and other familiar words and show an interest in others' conversations. If he's not making any sounds or is making fewer than he was before, tell the doctor.)

  7. How are your child's social skills? (Most 1-year-olds enjoy playing games with others, including peekaboo and patty-cake. Your child will imitate everyday actions such as sweeping the floor or brushing his hair and will be exuberant and curious most of the time. He'll probably seek out interaction with familiar people but will be anxious when separated from you or around strangers.)

  8. How are your child's fine motor skills? (Twelve-month-olds like to point at things and can use both hands together when playing with objects. If your child isn't using both hands equally, tell the doctor.)

  9. Have you noticed anything unusual about your child's eyes or the way he looks at things? (At every well-baby visit, the doctor should check the structure and alignment of the eyes and your child's ability to move them correctly.)

  10. How's your child's hearing? (If your 12-month-old doesn't turn toward sounds, be sure to tell his doctor. The sooner potential hearing problems are investigated, the sooner they can be treated.)

 

What's next?:

 

 

18 month check-up

THE DOCTOR WILL...

  • weigh and measure your child to make sure she's growing at a healthy rate.
  • give your toddler another round of immunizations (if she didn't get vaccines for DPT or DTaP, polio, or chicken pox at her 12-month checkup, she'll get immunized for them now).
  • address any health concerns that he notices. (Ear infections, colds, and the flu are common in toddlers, especially if they attend daycare or preschool, where they're exposed to many children.)
  • answer any questions you may have about toilet training or discipline.
  • give some insight into your toddler's development, temperament, and behavior.
  • look at your child's eyesight.
  • look at your child's hearing.

QUESTIONS THE DOCTOR MAY ASK

Read this worksheet all the way through — it links to more detailed information. Then download the printable version of the doctor visit worksheet to print and take to your doctor.

1. How is your child sleeping? (Most toddlers this age sleep about 11 hours at night, and nap for about two hours during the day. Bedtime is usually a battle, though, since children this age prefer being active and on the go. Your child may also fight sleep because she's afraid of the dark and of being alone.)

2. What are her eating habits? (The doctor will ask this question to find out whether your child is getting a balanced diet. He may suggest some healthy snacks to serve, or ways to get your busy child to sit long enough to eat, since most 18-month-olds resent being buckled into a highchair for mealtimes.)

3. Is your child showing any signs of toilet training readiness? (Many toddlers develop the physical and cognitive skills necessary for toilet training, such as being able to pull their pants up and down easily, between 18 and 24 months of age, but some aren't ready to start until they're as old as 4.)

4. Is your child walking? (By now, your toddler should have taken her first steps. Children learn to walk between 9 and 18 months. If she's walking on her toes, or lists to one side, mention this to the doctor so he can evaluate her motor skills.)

5. Has she been saying "no" a lot or throwing temper tantrums? (Most 18-month-olds have discovered the joy of saying "no," and they like wielding this powerful word. It's a sign of independence and language development.)

6. Is your child talking a lot? (By this time, most toddlers know and use at least six words — mama or dada among them. A few tots can even string two words together to form a basic sentence, such as "Mama go" or "Carry me." The doctor can also give you tips on how to encourage your child's language development.)

7. Does she respond to simple commands? (Eighteen-month-olds are usually mature enough to understand and follow simple directions such as "Please pass me the ball" or "Bring me your shoes," so if she doesn't follow basic commands, or doesn't appear to hear you, tell the doctor.)

8. What games does she like to play? (The activities your child enjoys give the doctor information on how she's developing. Many toddlers this age love peekaboo, a sign that they're developing mental skills, and playing with balls, which helps them become better coordinated.)

9. Do you clean her teeth and gums? (Your child may still be waiting for her molars to come in, but as soon as she has any teeth, good oral hygiene becomes important. Your doctor may also recommend fluoride drops. If he doesn't bring them up, ask about them.)

10.Have you noticed anything unusual about your toddler's eyes or the way he looks at things? (Check our eye examinations article to learn how to spot potential problems.)

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

Find out what parents of 18-month-olds most want to know, and what our experts had to say about those issues.

 

24 month check-up

THE DOCTOR WILL...

QUESTIONS THE DOCTOR MAY ASK

Read this worksheet all the way through — it links to more detailed information. Then download the printable version of the doctor visit worksheet you can fill out and take with you.

1. How is your child sleeping? (Most kids this age sleep about 11 hours at night and nap for about two hours during the day. Some kids may have given up naps altogether, preferring instead to sleep one long nighttime stretch. If your child has been waking up with nightmares, tell your doctor. Nightmares and night terrors are common at this stage, but your doctor may suggest ways you can comfort your child.)

2. What are his eating habits? (Until now you may have been able to limit the amount of sugary foods your child eats, but as he spends more time around other kids, in daycare or at playdates, for example, he's probably becoming more interested in sampling junky food. If you find yourself constantly battling his sweet tooth, speak to the doctor, who may have some healthy snack suggestions for you, or may be able to ease your concerns about your child's diet.)

3. How is toilet training going? (Most kids have started toilet training at this point, although many haven't mastered it yet. Your doctor may have some advice on easing the transition out of diapers.)

4. Have you noticed anything unusual about the way your child walks? (Many children walk knock-kneed at this age because their legs are still developing, but the problem usually resolves itself around age 7.)

5. Is your child physically active? (By now a toddler has more control over his arms and legs, and is better coordinated overall. He should be able to kick a ball effortlessly, build block towers, climb furniture, and walk up and down stairs. Make sure he has plenty of opportunities to move and explore.)

6. What new words is he learning? (Most kids this age have discovered the word "why." Sometimes all he wants is an explanation, and other times he's merely trying to continue his conversation with you. His vocabulary is expanding, too, and he'll be trying out new words every day. The doctor may test your child's language abilities by asking him questions, too, this month.)

7. Does he respond to two-step commands? (Two-year-olds are usually mature enough to understand and follow two-step directions such as "Go to your room and grab your bear" or "Go to Daddy and give him a hug." If your child doesn't follow your commands, or appears not to hear you, tell the doctor.)

8. What games does he like to play? (The activities your child enjoys give the doctor insight into how he's developing. Many kids this age enjoy putting together simple puzzles, scribbling on paper, sorting objects by color, and filling and emptying boxes.)

9. Have you noticed anything unusual about your child's eyes or the way he looks at things? (Check out our eye examinations article to learn how to spot potential problems.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

Find out what parents of 24-month-olds most want to know, and what our experts had to say about those issues.

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