Regular child development monitoring

Idea for Action Summary

Every child should have access to regular well-baby visits from the day they are born.

Ensuring that infants are monitored for their physical, cognitive and emotional development is crucial in identifying children in need of additional medical care and parents who may require additional support. This includes early screenings at specific points (usually at 9 or 18 months of age), which allows healthcare professionals to detect developmental delays and refer the child and caregiver to appropriate services and support.

• See American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines here
• Learn more about the value of well-child visits here

Governments can help caregivers utilise existing service access points, such as immunisation schedules and home visits, to access quality care and regular monitoring of their child’s development and make visits more efficient and more meaningful for both parent and child.