Hello everyone, writing from Madrid! My baby is now six months old, and today I want to share my experience with the check-up program for babies in Spanish public hospitals, known as the ‘Programa del Niño Sano’ (Well-Child Program). As a new mom, I was quite clueless at first, relying entirely on the guidance of pediatricians and nurses. I’ve compiled my experience here, hoping it will help other expecting parents.
The First Check-up After Birth
After being discharged from the hospital, your baby will typically have their first check-up at the local health center (centro de salud) between the 5th and 10th day. This visit mainly involves measuring weight, height, and head circumference, checking on jaundice regression, and examining the heart and lungs. The most critical part is the heel prick test (prueba del talón), which screens for congenital metabolic disorders—this is a must-do! The nurses are also very supportive, often providing guidance on breastfeeding positions and techniques.
Regular Check-up and Vaccination Schedule
Following the initial visit, you’ll follow a set schedule for check-ups and vaccinations. The specific timeline may vary slightly between autonomous communities, but the overall structure is quite similar. I’ve organized the schedule from my local health center below as a reference. Generally, appointments are more frequent in the first few months and become more spread out as the baby gets older.
| Age | Main Check-up Content | Vaccinations |
|---|
| 1 Month | Weight, height, head circumference, general developmental assessment | Usually none In some regions, the second dose of Hepatitis B might be scheduled during this newborn check-up. |
| 2 Months | Developmental assessment, hearing, visual tracking response | First dose of the Hexavalent vaccine, first dose of Meningococcal B vaccine |
| 4 Months | Developmental assessment, guidance on starting solid foods | Second dose of the Hexavalent vaccine, second dose of Meningococcal B vaccine |
| 6 Months | Sitting posture, grasping ability, discussion about solid foods | Third dose of the Hexavalent vaccine |
| 11-12 Months | Standing/walking ability, early language development | First dose of the MMR vaccine, Meningococcal C vaccine |
Quick tip: Always keep your child’s vaccination record book (cartilla de vacunación) safe, as it logs every shot they receive.
Spain’s child healthcare system is remarkably comprehensive and user-friendly. During each check-up, doctors and nurses allocate plenty of time to talk with you and answer all your questions, covering everything from feeding and sleep to daily care. Moreover, all routine check-ups and scheduled vaccines are free of charge. So, there’s no need to worry; by simply following the schedule provided by your health center, you can ensure your baby receives excellent healthcare. I hope my sharing has been helpful!
