Well Child Visit: Toddler - 2 years

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What will we do at this visit?

  • Check Weight, Length and Head Circumference and track how your child is growing.
  • Talk about how your family is doing, your child's nutrition, sleep, and safety.
  • Answer any questions you have!
  • Help your child stay healthy by keeping them up to date with their immunizations.
  • Lead test - we will do a finger poke in the office to test your child for lead exposure. Read more about Lead Poisoning Prevention and the importance of screening here.
  • You will fill out a form called the M-CHAT which is a validated developmental screening tool for toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age. It is designed to identify children who may benefit from a more thorough developmental and autism evaluation.

Will my child need immunizations at this visit?

The recommended immunization schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they come into contact with potentially life-threatening diseases. 

View the childhood immunization schedule to see which vaccines your baby needs.

Please note that there are age ranges for each vaccine and due to each child's individual medical history, illnesses, missed visits, travel plans, and other factors, your child may need a vaccine early, or to catch-up on missed vaccines at any age! You will discuss any needed immunizations at the time of your visit.

Feeding Your Child:

  • Offer your child a variety of foods and nutrients at each meal. Picture "My Plate" for meals and even snacks (though you don't have to separate everything out, and you do not need a separate dairy serving - dairy is a protein source). 
  • Avoid small, hard foods that can cause choking - nuts, popcorn, hot dogs, grapes, and hard, raw veggies.
  • Offer your child water to drink. Milk intake should be less than 12 ounces per day. Juice, soda, or large amounts of milk alternatives (soy, rice, oat, pea) are not advised. Continue breastfeeding as long as you and your baby want to.

Your Child's Sleep:

Some children sleep better than others. Lack of sleep can be one of the more challenging aspects of parenting. Take a look at our Sleep Resources page for information on typical sleep patterns, strategies, and reassurance.

  • Make the hour before bedtime loving, calm, and screen free.
  • Have a simple bedtime routine (for example: bath, brush teeth, book, bed).
  • If you child wakes in the night stay calm, use very few words to reassure them and tuck them back in ("It's still sleep time, I love you, goodnight").

Health and Safety Tips:

  • Watch out for "tip over" injuries when a toddler pulls on furniture or cords and objects fall over/onto baby. Check out Anchor It for more information.
  • It is critical to learn about Drowning Prevention. Please read Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know.  
  • Consider taking a Basic First Aid Course that includes CPR. Check for class offerings at your local Community Center or Hospital.
  • Avoid screen time including background TV.  A limited amount of quality children's programming is reasonable (such as PBS Kids). Visit healthychildren.org for more information on finding the right balance of media use in your family.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that the safest home for a child is one without guns.  Even young toddlers are capable of finding unlocked guns in the home, and they are strong enough to pull the trigger. For those who decide to keep a gun, it should be locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately
  • Keep your home and car smoke free.
  • Use a rear facing car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. Take a look at our Car Seat Guide  and Be Seat Smart NH for more information.
  • Know how to call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if you worry your child has eaten, touched, or inhaled something harmful. Lock away chemicals, tobacco or vape products, medications, etc.


Important Milestones: Your Child By 2 Years

Ages & Stages - Toddler 

Read age-specific articles about your child's health, development, and safety at healthychildren.org.

Activities to do with your Child: 

  • Get in the habit of reading books together every day!
  • Enjoy meals together as a family at least once a day - sitting down to eat.
  • Be active together as a family.
  • Find information on Early Learning and Well-being, Early Learning, and Parenting on zerotothree.org.