What You Need to Know About the Well Baby Program
The Well Baby Schedule
There is a lot to learn as your child grows and develops. Booking regular appointments with a physician allows you to ensure that your child is healthy and meeting all of their individual developmental milestones.
The standard schedule for Well Baby is:
- 1-2 weeks
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- 2 years
- Annually until 16 years of age
Monitoring Growth
Height, weight, and head circumference (for children under 2) will be measured at each visit.
Immunization
Vaccines will be administered during your Well Baby visits according to the Ontario Immunization Schedule. Immunization is a safe and effective way of protecting your child, and your community, from communicable diseases. Vaccines for the following will be offered:
- Rotavirus
- Tetanus
- Diphtheria
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Polio
- Haemophilus Influenza type B (Hib)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German Measles)
- Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia)
- Meningococcal Disease (Meningitis)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Influenza (seasonal)
Prevent Future Health Concerns
Any questions or concerns you have about your child’s growth and development will be addressed during the visit. These routine visits are an important early detection tool for discovering possible health concerns, so that treatment and management can be arranged right away.
How Can I Access This Service?
In-Clinic
This service is available at select Appletree Medical Centres. Appointments are required.
Book Your Appointment
The following schedules vary frequently, always consult our website to view the most up-to-date availability. Well Baby appointments are available at the following Appletree Medical Centres:
Ottawa
2573 Baseline Road, Ottawa ON, K2H 7B3
Tuesday: 9 am – 2 pm
1595 Merivale Road, Unit 1A-2, Ottawa ON, K2G 3J4
Tuesday: 12 pm – 3 pm
2150 Robertson Road, Unit 4, Ottawa ON, K2H 9S1
Wednesday: 11 am – 4 pm
Greater Toronto Area
Please book your appointment with your family doctor.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
When you arrive for your visit, we will weigh your child, measure your child’s length, and head circumference. This information is plotted on a chart, and reviewed to track your child’s growth and development. The doctor will then complete a head-to-toe physical exam and your child’s vaccines will be given.
We will assess your child’s progress and help parents understand the influence they have on their child’s development.
After Your Appointment
Children are eligible for a Patient Portal at 1 year of age. This will give parents and caregivers secure and confidential online access to their children’s medical results, reports, and vaccination records, which are accessible from anywhere, at any time.
How to Book
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any side effects from vaccines?
Just like any other medication, vaccines can have side effects. These side effects are usually mild and only last a day or two. Common side effects may include:
Sleepiness
Low Fever
Soreness at the injection site
In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur, and medical attention should be sought immediately:
Fever above 40°C
Hives
Swelling of the mouth or throat
Difficulty breathing, hoarseness, or wheezing
Rapid heartbeat, dizziness
Do vaccines cause autism?
No. All reliable research evidence shows that vaccines are safe and effective and that there is no link between receiving a vaccine and the on-set of autism.
My child has a cold; can they still complete their Well Baby appointment?
If your child is ill at their appointment, the doctor will assess whether to vaccinate that day, or to defer the vaccinations to another day. However, the remainder of the visit can still be completed, such as measuring height and weight, and reviewing milestones.
What is a milestone?
Developmental milestones are physical, verbal, and social skills that most children should be able to complete by a certain age. Age appropriate milestones will be reviewed at each visit.