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Baby Check-ups and Vaccinations: Why They Matter

Why regular check-ups and the vaccine schedule are important.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

Regular check-ups let your doctor or nurse track your baby's growth and development and spot any problems early. Vaccinations protect your baby against serious diseases that can be dangerous in infancy. Both are among the most valuable things you can do for your baby's health.

Why vaccinate on time?

Vaccines are tested carefully and monitored for safety. The diseases they protect against, such as whooping cough, measles and meningitis, can be life-threatening in young babies, and babies are most at risk before they are old enough to be fully protected. Giving vaccines at the recommended ages gives protection when your baby needs it most.

Each country has its own schedule, but the first main round is usually at around two months (eight weeks in the UK) and covers diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib, hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease and rotavirus in many countries. Further doses follow in the first year, and measles, mumps and rubella vaccines are given around 12 months. Some countries also offer meningococcal, chickenpox or flu vaccines.

Vaccines during pregnancy

Some vaccines given in pregnancy pass protection to your newborn before they can have their own, notably whooping cough and, in some countries, RSV and flu. Ask your midwife or doctor which are offered in your country and when.

Preparing for a vaccination visit

• Bring your baby's health record book or vaccine record and ask the nurse to update it.
• Offer a feed or a cuddle during or just after the injection. Skin-to-skin contact or breastfeeding can reduce pain and soothe your baby.
• Stay for about 15 minutes afterwards, in case of a rare allergic reaction.
• Write down your questions beforehand, including any worries about side effects.

What to expect afterwards

Mild reactions are common and usually pass within a day or two: a sore, red or swollen spot where the injection was given, mild fever, fussiness, sleepiness and reduced appetite. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist whether to give paracetamol (acetaminophen) and how much, because the dose depends on your baby's weight and age. Never give aspirin to a baby or child.

Serious reactions are rare. Seek urgent help if your baby has difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, a seizure, is limp or hard to wake, or you are worried about their condition.

Premature babies and missed doses

Premature babies are normally vaccinated at the same age as other babies counted from their birth date, not their due date, because they are at higher risk of infection. If you miss a vaccine, do not worry. Book a catch-up as soon as you can. You usually do not need to start the series again.

Regular check-ups

The schedule varies by country, but typically includes:

• A newborn physical examination within the first few days, which checks the heart, hips, eyes and, in boys, the testes
• A hearing screening and a heel-prick blood spot test in the first days or weeks
• Weight checks in the first weeks, because most babies lose a little weight in the first days and regain their birth weight by about two weeks
• A check-up at around six to eight weeks, then at regular intervals through the first year
• In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends well-child visits at 3 to 5 days, then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months

In other countries, midwives, health visitors, public health nurses or a family doctor carry out the visits, and your baby's record book will list them.

What happens at a check-up

• Your baby is weighed and measured, and their head circumference is checked. These are plotted on a growth chart, and what matters is the pattern over time, not one number or a particular line.
• The doctor checks the heart, lungs, hips, eyes and development, and asks about feeding, sleep, nappies and your wellbeing.
• You can raise concerns about anything, from rashes and reflux to how you are coping.

Questions worth asking

• Is my baby growing and developing as expected?
• Which vaccines are due now and what side effects should I expect?
• What should I do if my baby has a fever?
• When is the next appointment?

When to seek urgent help

Seek medical help straight away, without waiting for an appointment, if your baby:

• Has a temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher and is under three months old, or a high temperature at any age with other worrying signs
• Is feeding poorly or has far fewer wet nappies than usual
• Is unusually sleepy, floppy or hard to wake
• Has fast, laboured or noisy breathing, grunting or pulling in under the ribs, or blue or grey lips
• Has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it
• Has a seizure

Trust your instincts. You know your baby best, and it is always right to ask for help if something feels wrong.

Where to check current advice

Schedules and recommendations differ between countries and change over time. Check the current advice from the NHS in the UK, the HSE in Ireland, the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics in the US, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society, or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.