One of the most important ways to support your baby's health and proper development during their first two years of life is to follow the pediatric check-up schedule. These check-ups are listed in the child health document (a kind of small booklet, to be more precise) that you will receive at the health center when registering your little adventurer. In it, the primary care health professionals who carry out these check-ups (pediatrician and nurse) will record basic data on your baby's development (height, weight, head circumference) and note the vaccines received.

In addition to monitoring physical growth, as we discussed, pediatric check-ups also help ensure your newborn stays up to date with the vaccination schedule , another important aspect of health care, since these vaccines protect your baby against potentially dangerous infections. You should keep in mind that the vaccines specified in the vaccination schedule are the same in all the Autonomous Communities of Spain.

Finally, these check-ups also allow healthcare professionals to assess, through a interview with the parents , your little one’s habits and behaviors related to feeding, sleep, and developmental milestones (rolling over, crawling, walking, talking, etc.). They also give you the opportunity to raise any questions and concerns about your baby's care.

Pediatric check-up schedule for the first two years

During the first two years of your baby's life, you will need to visit your health center regularly. Depending on the Autonomous Community, there are usually seven to eight pediatric check-ups to monitor your little adventurer’s health and development during the first 24 months of life. Below, we outline approximately when these visits are scheduled and their purpose. However, the pediatrician and nurse in the pediatrics department at your health center will provide more detailed and accurate information, since pediatric check-ups can vary depending on the Autonomous Community where you live.

Newborn Examination

This initial check-up usually takes place between the first and second week after your baby's birth. During it, they will perform a second screening test to detect possible metabolic diseases and will open the medical record, which will include information about pregnancy, childbirth, and birth, as well as any relevant family medical history.

Review of the 2 months

This second check-up can be especially challenging for first-time parents, as it is often the first time you see your baby receive vaccinations. It is normal to approach this moment with nerves, but a minute after the injection—even if it hurts and they cry—a little cuddling will help them forget about it. The WHO recommends that, if you have chosen to breastfeed, you offer the breast during the injection, as it can reduce pain, or immediately afterward to soothe your baby. In this second check-up, the pediatrician also usually pays close attention to the fontanelles, as well as to the development of reflexes and the child's response to stimuli.

Review of the 4 months

At four months, vaccinations continue. These will be routine at all pediatric check-ups until 24 months. During this visit, the physical examination focuses especially on the development of the fontanelles , the hips, and the genitals. Through the questions the pediatrician asks you, she will also assess your little adventurer’s psychomotor development .

6-month review

In addition to the necessary vaccines and a physical examination to ensure that your little adventurer continues to develop properly, during this check-up the pediatrician will pay special attention to two aspects. On one hand, psychomotor development, as this is a time when children make significant progress in mobility. On the other hand, six months is an ideal time to start introducing complementary feeding, so during this appointment you will receive guidance on nutrition, as well as tips for caring for the first teeth that are beginning to emerge.

Review of the 12 months

Your baby is already one year old! Isn't it incredible? To celebrate, it's time for a new visit to the pediatrician! During this visit, since six months have likely passed since the last one and your little adventurer will have changed a lot, the pediatrician will check their new skills, administer the vaccines according to the schedule, and review their senses of sight and hearing in greater detail to ensure they see and hear well.

Reviews at 18 and 24 months

In addition to measuring and weighing the child and administering the appropriate vaccines, parents’ comments become particularly important during these pediatric check-ups, especially when sharing any concerns about feeding , sleep, or your little one’s behavior. Additionally, the pediatrician will assess your child's physical growth, psychomotor development, and language development to ensure that their progress is on track.

These are the main pediatric check-ups your baby will need during their first two years of life. Even so, remember that you can schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your baby's health and development. When it comes to your newborn’s health, it is always better to prevent than to cure. And it is also better to feel reassured by a medical professional’s opinion than to live with a doubt until the next check-up.