Pediatric Checkup Schedule for Baby's First Year: Complete Guide
Dra. Paula Andrade
CRM-SP 204778 | RQE 131771 | Título SBP 2024
Licensed in Brazil — Itaim Bibi, São Paulo
The first year of life is the period of greatest growth and development in a human being. That is why well-child checkups (pediatric follow-up for healthy babies) are essential. In Brazil, the recommended schedule includes more frequent visits than what most expat families are used to — and for good reason. In this guide, you will learn exactly when to schedule each visit and what is evaluated at each one. Also learn when to take your baby to the pediatrician outside of routine visits.
Quick Summary
According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), the recommended checkup schedule in the first year is:
- • First week (3-5 days of life)
- • 15 days
- • 1 month
- • 2 months
- • 4 months
- • 6 months
- • 9 months
- • 12 months
Total: 8 scheduled visits (plus any additional visits for illness)
Looking for a bilingual pediatrician for your baby's checkups?
Dr. Paula provides comprehensive well-child care in English at her Itaim Bibi clinic in Sao Paulo.
Talk to the PediatricianDetailed Schedule by Age
First Week (3-5 Days)
Why it is urgent: Evaluation of jaundice, breastfeeding, and weight gain. Learn more in our first appointment guide.
What is evaluated:
- • Weight, length, head circumference
- • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) — may need treatment
- • Breastfeeding: latch, milk production, nipple damage
- • Umbilical cord: hygiene and care
- • Output: adequate stool and urine frequency
- • Newborn screening tests: confirmed completed
Key guidance:
- • Exclusive breastfeeding on demand
- • Vitamin D supplementation: dose and schedule
- • Safe sleep (back to sleep, no pillow, firm mattress)
- • When to seek urgent care
15 Days
Focus: Confirm birth weight has been recovered, adjust breastfeeding as needed.
What is evaluated:
- • Weight gain (should have recovered birth weight by now)
- • Breastfeeding: questions and adjustments
- • Umbilical cord: has it not fallen yet? Normal up to 21 days
- • Sleep and elimination patterns
Common questions at this stage:
- • "Is my milk enough?" (Yes! Breast milk is always complete)
- • "Baby feeds every hour, is that normal?" (Yes, on-demand feeding)
- • Colic and gas concerns
1 Month
Key milestone: Vaccination schedule begins in earnest.
What is evaluated:
- • Growth: should be gaining 25-30g per day
- • Neurological development: primitive reflexes
- • Head control (still weak — that is normal)
- • Vision: already tracking faces
Vaccines:
- • Hepatitis B (2nd dose)
2 Months
Milestone: Start of the intensive vaccination schedule. Social smile!
Expected development:
- • Social smile (responds when you smile)
- • Follows objects with eyes
- • Makes cooing sounds
- • Better head control
Vaccines (BIG day!):
- • Pentavalent (DTaP + Hib + Hepatitis B)
- • IPV (Inactivated Polio)
- • Pneumococcal 10 or 13
- • Rotavirus
Tip: Expect mild fever and fussiness. Have acetaminophen at home.
4 Months
Expected development:
- • Good head control
- • Rolls (tummy to back)
- • Grasps objects
- • Recognizes family members
- • Laughs out loud
Vaccines:
- • Pentavalent (2nd dose)
- • IPV (2nd dose)
- • Pneumococcal (2nd dose)
- • Rotavirus (2nd dose — LAST)
Looking ahead:
The pediatrician begins preparing you for food introduction (which starts at 6 months).
6 Months
MAJOR MILESTONE: Start of complementary food introduction!
Expected development:
- • Sits with support (some sit on their own)
- • Transfers objects between hands
- • Babbles ("ba-ba", "ma-ma")
- • Shows stranger anxiety
Vaccines:
- • Pentavalent (3rd dose)
- • IPV (3rd dose)
- • Influenza (1st dose — annual campaign)
Key guidance:
- • Food introduction: method, schedule, first foods
- • Continue breastfeeding until age 2 or beyond
- • Choking prevention
9 Months
Expected development:
- • Sits independently and firmly
- • Crawls (or scoots)
- • Pincer grasp (thumb and index finger)
- • Waves bye-bye, claps hands
- • Understands "no"
Vaccines:
- • Yellow Fever (initial dose — mandatory in Brazil)
Assessment:
How is food acceptance going? Night sleep? Teething (first teeth typically appear between 6-12 months).
12 Months (1 Year!)
CELEBRATION: First birthday! Major milestone appointment.
Expected development:
- • Walks with support (some walk independently)
- • Says "mama", "dada" meaningfully
- • Points at what they want
- • Drinks from an open cup
- • Imitates gestures and sounds
Vaccines (ANOTHER big day!):
- • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- • Pneumococcal (booster)
- • Meningococcal C (booster)
- • Hepatitis A
Comprehensive assessment:
- • First-year growth review (has the baby tripled their birth weight?)
- • Developmental milestones achieved
- • Varied diet established
- • Teething (6-8 teeth expected)
Extra Visits: When Are They Needed?
Beyond scheduled checkups, you may need to bring your baby to the pediatrician for situations such as:
- •Fever (especially in babies under 3 months)
- •Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- •Breathing difficulty (as in bronchiolitis)
- •Breastfeeding difficulties
- •Inconsolable crying (possible intense colic)
- •Any warning sign or concern from the parents
Important Tip
When in doubt, contact your pediatrician.It is better to have an "unnecessary" visit than to miss something important. Parental instinct counts for a lot! If you need an English-speaking pediatrician in Sao Paulo, Dr. Paula is available via WhatsApp for quick questions between appointments.
For Expat Families: How It Works in Brazil
Public system (SUS): Free well-child checkups at local health units (UBS), but typically in Portuguese with longer wait times.
Private system (Particular): Appointments within 24-48 hours, 40-60 minute consultations, English available with bilingual pediatricians. Learn more about costs and what to expect.
Insurance: Most international insurers reimburse private pediatric consultations. Dr. Paula provides detailed invoices in English for claims.
Telemedicine: Available for follow-up visits, feeding guidance, and developmental check-ins between in-person appointments.
Dr. Paula Andrade
Integrative Pediatrician • CRM-SP 131771
Following your baby's development through the first year is one of the most rewarding parts of pediatrics. And seeing parents feel confident and secure makes it even better.
Ready to schedule your baby's well-child checkups?
Dr. Paula follows the SBP-recommended schedule with 40-60 minute appointments. Bilingual care in Itaim Bibi, Sao Paulo.
Talk to the PediatricianSchedule Your Baby's Well-Child Checkup
Dr. Paula follows the recommended checkup calendar with 40-60 minute appointments. Enough time to assess development, answer all questions, and provide personalized guidance.
Consultório no Itaim Bibi, São Paulo | CRM-SP 204778 | RQE 131771
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