Baby check-up schedule: well-baby visits in the US and UK
When baby check-ups happen in the US and UK, from the first week to age 3, what happens at each visit, questions to bring and how vaccine schedules work.
Educational content only, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or health visitor about your child.
In this article
In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends well-baby visits in the first week (at about 3 to 5 days old), then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 months, and at 3 years. In the UK, babies have a physical exam within 72 hours of birth, a hearing test and a heel prick test in the first weeks, a health visitor review at 10 to 14 days, a 6 to 8 week check, a review at 9 to 12 months and another at 2 to 2.5 years. At each visit, your baby's growth and development are checked and you can ask about feeding, sleep and anything else on your mind.
This guide is educational, not medical advice. Local schedules can vary, so follow the plan your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician gives you, and contact them any time you are worried, not just at check-ups.
How often does a baby go to the doctor in the first year?
In the US, a healthy baby has around 7 routine visits in the first year, following the AAP's Bright Futures schedule. In the UK, care is shared between midwives, health visitors and your GP, so the pattern looks different.
US well-baby visit schedule (AAP Bright Futures)
| Age | Visit |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 days | First week newborn visit |
| 1 month | Well-baby visit |
| 2 months | Well-baby visit |
| 4 months | Well-baby visit |
| 6 months | Well-baby visit |
| 9 months | Well-baby visit |
| 12 months | Well-baby visit |
| 15 months | Well-baby visit |
| 18 months | Well-baby visit |
| 24 months (2 years) | Well-child visit |
| 30 months (2.5 years) | Well-child visit |
| 3 years | Well-child visit, then yearly |
After age 3, the AAP recommends a check-up every year.
UK baby checks and reviews (NHS)
| When | Check | Who usually does it |
|---|---|---|
| Within 72 hours of birth | Newborn physical exam: eyes, heart, hips and, for boys, testicles | Doctor, midwife or nurse |
| Soon after birth | Newborn hearing test | Hearing screener, in hospital or at home |
| Day 5 to 8, usually day 5 | Heel prick (blood spot) test for rare conditions | Midwife |
| 10 to 14 days | New baby review | Health visitor |
| 6 to 8 weeks | Physical check, weight, length and head | Usually your GP |
| 9 to 12 months | Development review | Health visiting team |
| 2 to 2.5 years | Development review | Health visitor or nursery nurse |
The NHS says the hearing test is usually offered before your baby is 4 weeks old, though it can be done up to 3 months. Your baby will also be weighed at birth and during the first week, and you can take them to a baby clinic to be weighed between reviews.
In the UK, you will be given a personal child health record, usually called the red book. Bring it to every clinic and GP appointment. Staff record weight, height and vaccinations in it, and you can add your own notes.
What happens at a baby check-up?
Every visit is a little different, but most include:
- Growth. Weight, length and head circumference, plotted on a growth chart. Our guide to baby weight gain in the first year explains what the numbers mean, and you can try our baby growth calculator.
- A physical exam. Heart, breathing, eyes, hips, skin, the soft spots on the head, and more.
- Development. Movement, hand skills, sounds and words, and social skills. Our milestones guide shows what is typical at each age. In the UK, you will usually be sent an ASQ-3 questionnaire to fill in before the 9 to 12 month and 2 to 2.5 year reviews.
- Feeding. How often your baby feeds, wet and dirty nappies (diapers), and later, solid foods.
- Sleep. Where and how your baby sleeps, including safe sleep.
- Vaccines. Which ones are due, and any questions you have.
- You. How you are feeling, physically and emotionally. The NHS includes this at the 6 to 8 week check, and it is a good time to mention low mood or anxiety.
What questions should I ask at my baby's check-up?
The AAP suggests writing a list before the visit, choosing your top 3 to 5 questions, and raising the most important ones at the start. Useful questions include:
- Is my baby growing as expected for their age?
- Is my baby feeding enough? How much should they be eating now?
- Is this amount of sleep and night waking normal?
- What milestones should I expect before the next visit?
- Which vaccines are due today, and what reactions are normal afterwards?
- Is this rash, cough, spit-up or poo normal?
- When should I call you between visits?
Our guides on how much a newborn should eat, baby sleep by age and newborn poop and wet nappies can help you think of questions before you go.
How do I prepare for a baby check-up?
- Write down your questions and bring the list.
- Bring your records. In the UK, bring the red book. In the US, bring any vaccine card or hospital discharge papers for early visits.
- Note feeds, sleep and nappies for a few days beforehand. It is much easier than relying on memory.
- Dress your baby in easy layers. They will usually be undressed to be weighed and examined.
- Pack spare nappies, wipes, a change of clothes and a feed. A feed or cuddle can help settle them after vaccines.
- Mention anything you have noticed, even if it seems small.
Baby memory book
First smile, first tooth, first word. A keepsake you will treasure.
Many parents like to note their baby's weight and length from each visit in a memory book, alongside first smiles and first words.
When does my baby get vaccines?
Vaccine schedules differ by country and can change over time, so always follow your national schedule and your doctor's advice.
- In the US, most routine baby vaccines start at the 2 month visit, and some are offered at birth. The CDC publishes the current schedule.
- In the UK, the first routine baby vaccinations are given at 8 weeks. The NHS lists the full schedule.
If your baby misses a vaccine, contact your doctor or GP surgery to catch up. If you have questions about a specific vaccine, your doctor, health visitor or practice nurse can talk them through with you.
Should I call the doctor between check-ups?
Yes, any time you are worried. Check-ups are for routine care, not a reason to wait. Call your doctor, or NHS 111 in the UK, if your baby seems unwell, is feeding much less than usual or has fewer wet nappies. For a baby under 3 months, a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or more needs medical advice straight away. Our baby fever guide explains the rules by age.
Digital baby thermometer
A thermometer you trust matters more than any app. Ask your pharmacist which type suits your baby's age.
A digital thermometer is worth having at home so you can give your doctor an accurate reading.
Call your emergency number (999 in the UK, 911 in the US) if your baby has difficulty breathing, has a seizure, is floppy or hard to wake, or has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it.
How can I keep track between visits?
Keeping a log of feeds, sleep, nappies and measurements makes check-ups quicker and helps your doctor or health visitor see the full picture.
Baby Growth Tracker Pro logs feeds, sleep, nappies, growth and milestones, and works offline. You can find more guides like this one in our baby care hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many well-baby visits are there in the first year?
In the US, the AAP schedule includes visits at 3 to 5 days, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months. That is 7 visits in the first year, with more at 15, 18, 24 and 30 months and 3 years.
What is the 6 to 8 week check?
In the UK, it is a full physical exam, usually by a GP, that checks your baby's eyes, heart, hips and, for boys, testicles, and measures weight, length and head circumference. You will also be asked how you are feeling.
When is the heel prick test done?
The NHS says the heel prick, or blood spot, test is done when your baby is 5 to 8 days old, usually on day 5. It screens for a number of rare but serious conditions.
What is the red book?
The red book is the UK's personal child health record. It is usually given to you shortly before or after birth. Bring it to every appointment so staff can record weight, height and vaccinations.
At what age do baby vaccines start?
The first routine vaccines are given at 8 weeks in the UK. In the US, most start at the 2 month visit, with some offered at birth. Always follow your own country's schedule and your doctor's advice.
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