Welcome to the Fifteen Month Checkup: What to expect

Your child is on the path to toddlerhood now. In many ways, these few months are a transition period from infancy to toddlerhood. Your child is continuing to grow and to develop new abilities quickly. While your child’s physical growth has slowed down, his or her mental growth is speeding up. Here is what to expect at today’s well-child visit, an important part of keeping your child healthy.

What to expect today

  • We will ask about what you are feeding your child, and be sure she is getting the proper nutrition at this age. The toddler diet is very different from that of infants.
  • We will examine your child’s growth, making sure he is growing at a normal rate for his age. This is a very important part of making sure children are healthy and are getting the proper nutrition.
  • We will check on how he is sleeping because this is important for her health (and for the whole family!).
  • We will ask what kind of things he is doing now to be sure her brain, nerves and muscles are developing properly.
  • We will do a full physical exam, looking at every part of your child’s body. Please let the doctor know if you have any particular questions or concerns.

Development

Your child should be doing the following things by now; if not, please let us know:

  • Walking or standing alone or trying to take a step or two.
  • Using gestures, sounds and a word or two.
  • Interacting with you.

Information You Will Receive Today

  • Caring for Your 15-Month Old.
  • Vaccine Information Sheets on each vaccine.
  • Please ask for the 12-24 month safety sheet if you have not already received it.
  • Please ask for the toddler feeding booklet if you have not already received it.
  • A vaccine record/GA 3231 Form

Vaccines usually given at this visit

These are the vaccines we usually give at this visit. Your child’s schedule may differ from the usual schedule. You can view your child’s vaccine record on the portal and compare it with the standard schedule. All of these vaccines, except influenza, are required by Georgia law for school and daycare attendance.

Vaccines are among the most researched and safest treatments for children (and adults). They are highly effective at preventing severe illness and death and save hundreds of thousands of children’s lives every year. For centuries, these diseases were the most common cause of death in children, and all of them are still present and a threat to the health and lives of infants and children. Visit our Vaccine Center for more information.

The Hib vaccine protects against a bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type B. This bacteria causes meningitis and other infections in infants, leading to serious illness, brain injury, and death. It was quite common in infants and toddlers before the development of the vaccine. Children should not delay getting this vaccine.

More information

The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox, which is caused by the varicella virus. While many considered chickenpox a relatively harmless childhood rite of passage, several hundred children in the US every year had severe and sometimes fatal infections before the vaccine was developed.

More information

The influenza (flu) vaccine is recommended during flu season for all children. Children less than nine years old need two doses this year if they have not had at least two doses before. The vaccine is usually given between October and March each year.

More information

Some children may receive the hepatitis B, hepatitis A, or other vaccines at this visit as well, depending on your child’s particular schedule.

Giving medication for fever or pain before the vaccines is not recommended, and it is not needed for fever after the vaccines either. Fever will not harm your child, and it helps the vaccines work. You only need to treat discomfort. If your child is cranky, fussy, or uncomfortable, give some pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). See After Vaccine Care for more information.

You can learn more about each vaccine from the CDC Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). There is a link above for each vaccine and a copy in a notebook in your exam room. You can also ask for a paper copy at your child’s visit.

Free book!

We are a Reach Out and Read site. That means that your child will receive a brand-new book at every well-child visit from 6 months to 5 years old! Partnering with Reach Out and Read is part of our early literacy and school readiness initiatives. Learn more about our partnership with this amazing program.

Your child’s medical home

As your child’s medical home, we want to know about any new developments since the last visit, including

  • any emergency department or urgent care visits and hospitalizations
  • visits to any specialists, therapists, or any other health care providers
  • changes in family health history
  • recent illnesses or injuries
  • changes or challenges at home, family, and living situation

We track and manage all your child’s health information in one place!

Learn more about what it means to be your child’s medical home.

Visit the portal

  • All your child’s information is available on the portal: growth charts, vaccines, medications, and more!
  • Use the portal to contact us, schedule your next appointment, and much more!

Learn more about the portal and how to get started.

Next visit

References