One month checkup
Overview
At the one month checkup, a doctor will check the overall growth of your baby. At this time, proper weight gain is an important point of evaluation. Your doctor will also check for congenital diseases, such as hydrocephalus and heart problems.
Where can I have a checkup?
The hospital you delivered your baby will often provides one month checkup. Otherwise, you can find a local pediatrician who can provide the checkup for you.
One month baby checkups are not covered by checkup coupon. It usually costs around 3,000 to 5,000 yen, depending on the pediatric clinic.
The 3-4 month checkup
Overview
An important point checked for is your baby’s neck strength and ability to hold up his or her head. Your doctor will judge this by first hold the baby upright and then by having the baby lay on their stomach.
Where can I have a checkup?
3-4 month checkup is held at your local city health center and will be free of charge.
You will receive a checkup coupon from the health center with a designated date and time for the checkup. This is often a group checkup with other babies of the same age at the health center.
The notification is in Japanese. They also send a questionnaire about your baby’s health to fill out before the checkup. JHI can help you read them and fill out the questionnaire on your behalf. The checkups will also be in Japanese. We are happy to come to the checkup site to provide translation service. Contact us for details.
The 6-7 month checkup
Overview
The main point of focus for this checkup is the activity of the baby, including sitting and rolling over. Your doctor will also check the baby’s mental development by observing whether the baby is afraid of strangers or if they react with happiness and laughter to toys.
Where can I have a checkup?
This will be held at your local pediatric clinic. Like the 3-4 month checkup, you will receive an invitational coupon from your local health center. You will need to make an appointment before you visit. Bring the coupon so your visit will be free of charge. We can help you find an English-speaking pediatrician in your area for baby checkups and arrange an appointment for you. Contact us for details.
The 9-10 month checkup
Overview
Your doctor will check your baby’s ability to crawl and to stand while holding on to a support. If the baby is unable to do this during the checkup, let your doctor know if he or she can do them at home. Your doctor will also check mental development by observing if the baby imitates the actions of people around him or her, like hand clapping or waving good-bye.
Where can I have a checkup?
Much like the previous checkup, the 9-10 month checkup will be at a designated pediatric clinic or public health center, and you will receive an invitational coupon.
The 18 month checkup
Overview
Because this checkup is required by law, most local governments give this checkup at no charge. The main points checked for are the ability to walk and ability to communicate through speech.
Your doctor will have your baby play with building blocks to check the development of the hands and fingers as well as to check language ability. If your baby does not play or react the way the doctor instructs, please let the doctor know how he or she reacts at home. A dentist will check for caries and instruct you on how to brush your baby’s teeth.
Where can I have a checkup?
This checkup is usually provided at your local city health center and will be free of charge. You will receive a coupon from the health center with a designated date and time for the checkup. Depending on your city, it may be an individual checkup, but it is most often performed as a group checkup.
The 3 year checkup
Overview
This is the last regular checkup before the preschool checkup. Many children at this age do not need diapers anymore and can run around actively. They can go up stairs with one on foot in front of the other.
Delays in development and problems with hearing or vision, which can be difficult to find, can now be detected. If your child has any developmental problems, your doctor will introduce you to a local consultation center or suitable medical facility.
A urinary test at this point is essential for early detection of kidney diseases and childhood diabetes.
Where can I have a checkup?
This checkup is usually provided at your local city health center and will be free of charge. You will receive a coupon from the health center with a designated date and time for the checkup. Depending on your city, it may be an individual checkup, but it is most often performed as a group checkup.
In most cases baby checkup notification is in Japanese. They also send a questionnaire about your baby’s health to fill out before the checkup. JHI can help you read them and fill out the questionnaire on your behalf. The checkups will also be in Japanese. We are happy to come to the checkup site to provide translation service. Contact us for details.