Primary Care | Your Visit

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have checkups in the first week of life — and then again at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 36 months, and then every year after that.

We believe that a strong doctor-patient relationship is good for children and families, so we always do our best to schedule well-child visits with the family's primary care provider. To help us do so, please call 6 weeks before you need an appointment (if you have a newborn, we will schedule your first few visits with you at your first appointment with us).

Call our office during regular business hours to schedule well-child visits. If for some reason you cannot come to a scheduled visit, please call so that we can reschedule — your child's health is important to us!

New patients should have all past medical records, including vaccine records, sent to the practice prior to your first visit. If sending your records via fax, please be sure to have them sent to the correct primary care clinic.

Most immunizations are given during well-child visits, but sometimes all a child needs is a shot — such as during flu season, or when catching up on missed vaccines. For convenience, we offer easy-to-schedule immunization visits with our nurses.

Some conditions, such as asthma, constipation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or overweight need regular and more frequent visits with the doctor. As with well-child visits, we work very hard to schedule these visits with your primary care doctor. Call during regular business hours to schedule these appointments. If you're not sure when or whether you need an appointment, ask to talk to one of our nurses.

We offer virtual visits for some follow-up visits related to ongoing health or behavioral concerns, or follow-up from a same-day sick visit. Virtual visits are video appointments, that have proven to be a convenient way for you to chat with your child's provider from the comfort of your home — all you need is a computer or smartphone and an email address! For more information about how to arrange a virtual visit with your child's doctor, please call one of the phone numbers listed above and/or visit the link below:

When your child is sick or hurt, or there is something else that is worrying you, call us! Our nurses are always happy to talk to you and give you advice, and we offer same-day urgent care visits, including on weekend days and many holidays.

While some children do need to go to an emergency room, most concerns can be handled by our nurses and our urgent care doctors — in less time and with people who know you and your child. So if you are thinking of going to the emergency room, call us first!

We are available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As children get older, they start to want to participate in their own health care and health care decisions. Once they turn 18 they are legally in charge of their care, it's a good idea for them to learn the ropes well before then.

The majority of Boston Children's Primary Care patients will transition to an adult health care provider between the ages of 18 and 22 years. Depending on your child's developmental readiness, your provider will begin spending time alone with your child at some of their visits as they approach adolescence (12-14 years of age).

During this time, we will also begin working with families to make the transition to an adult care model. Between the ages of 14 and 18, we will continue working with your child to practice this adult model of care, encouraging them to practice the skills necessary to take responsibility for their own health.

Youth with special health care needs may need more time to transition to adult care and may also need assistance with issues around guardianship. Boston Children's Primary Care has resources dedicated to facilitating these transitions to adulthood. If you need help or have any questions, please let our staff or your provider know.

We support babies and their families in the first year of life by ensuring that all babies are scheduled for their recommended well-child visits and receive the appropriate vaccinations and developmental screenings. We also offer lactation services.

Being at the doctor can be scary — and it's not always easy to keep children occupied and happy while they wait to see the doctor. That's why we have Child Life Services and volunteers ready to help. Our Child Life staff has special training in helping children through difficult experiences, and our activities and volunteers can make waiting fun.

If you need a form for school, camp or another reason, give us a call at 617-971-2100. Please give us at least one to two weeks to get it ready for you. Most forms can be done without a visit, but if your child is overdue for a visit we may ask you to schedule an appointment before we can fill out the form.

Completed forms may be picked up at the registration desk or mailed to you. If you would like a form mailed to you, let our staff know — and be sure to confirm your address with us.

Many medications can be renewed without a visit to the doctor. To find out if yours can, give us a call, preferably when you still have a few days' supply of medication left, as we are not always able to refill medications when given less than two days' notice.

Before you call, check the medication container or talk to your pharmacist to be sure you don't already have a refill available.

You can reach us 24 hours a day, seven days a week.