Doctor Visits & Vaccines
Singapore's full well-baby check schedule for the first 3 months - What happens at each visit, what vaccines are given, and what questions to bring.
Well-Baby Check Schedule: 0–3 Months
| Visit | Where | What's assessed | Vaccines given |
|---|---|---|---|
| At birth | Hospital (KKH, NUH, TMC, etc.) | APGAR score, full physical exam, hearing screen (AABR), newborn metabolic screening (heel-prick), pulse oximetry, jaundice check | BCG, Hepatitis B (dose 1) |
| Day 2–4 (hospital discharge) | Hospital | Final check before discharge - Weight, jaundice level, feeding review | - |
| ~2 weeks (optional) | Polyclinic or private paed | Weight check, jaundice follow-up, feeding assessment if concerns | Hepatitis B (dose 2) at some centres |
| 1 month | Polyclinic | Weight, length, head circumference, developmental check, feeding and sleep review, social smile check | Hepatitis B (dose 2) |
| 2 months | Polyclinic | Growth review, 2-month milestones, feeding, sleep, parental wellbeing screen | Pentavalent dose 1 (DTaP/IPV/Hib), Pneumococcal (PCV13) dose 1 |
| 3 months | Polyclinic | Growth, social smile, head control in prone, feeding, 3-month milestones | Pentavalent dose 2, Pneumococcal dose 2 |
Schedule follows Singapore's National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). Track all upcoming vaccines with the Immunization Tracker →
Vaccine Details: 0–3 Months
BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin)
When: At birth - Given as a single injection in the left upper arm
Protects against: Tuberculosis (TB) - Particularly important in Singapore where TB incidence remains notable
A small red bump forms at the injection site over 2–4 weeks, then ulcerates and heals into a round scar. This is completely normal and expected.
Hepatitis B (HepB)
When: Dose 1 at birth; Dose 2 at 1 month
Protects against: Hepatitis B virus, which can cause chronic liver disease and liver cancer
Singapore has mandatory HepB vaccination. Babies born to HepB-positive mothers also receive HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) at birth for immediate protection.
Pentavalent vaccine (DTaP-IPV/Hib)
When: Doses at 2 and 3 months, with boosters later
Protects against: 5 diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Given by injection. Common reactions: injection site redness or swelling, mild fever, fussiness. Paracetamol (at age-appropriate dose) can be given post-vaccine.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13)
When: Doses at 2 and 3 months, with boosters
Protects against: Streptococcus pneumoniae - A leading cause of meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in infants
Subsidised under the Singapore National Immunisation Schedule. Available at polyclinics.
What to Expect: The 1-Month Polyclinic Visit
What the nurse/doctor checks
- Weight, length (lying flat), and head circumference - Plotted on growth chart in Child Health Booklet
- Fontanelle (soft spot) size and tension
- Eyes: red reflex test for cataracts
- Hip stability: Barlow and Ortolani test for developmental dysplasia
- Testes in boys - Ensuring both have descended
- Feeding: breastfeeding or formula volumes, frequency
- Social smile (may not be present yet at exactly 4 weeks)
- Parental wellbeing - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale may be administered
Questions to bring to the 1-month visit
- ?Is my baby's weight gain on track?
- ?How much formula or how often should I breastfeed?
- ?My baby has yellow eyes / skin - Is the jaundice resolved?
- ?The umbilical cord hasn't fallen off yet - Is this normal?
- ?My baby seems very colicky - What can I do?
- ?Are these skin spots on my baby's face normal?
- ?When should I book the 2-month appointment?
- ?My baby's BCG site looks very red/large - Is this normal?
After-Vaccination Care
Normal reactions (expected)
- ✓Low-grade fever (≤38.5°C) for 24–48 hours
- ✓Fussiness and crying for 24 hours
- ✓Injection site redness, swelling, and hardness - May last several days
- ✓Reduced appetite for 24–48 hours
- ✓Increased sleepiness
Managing post-vaccine discomfort
- Paracetamol syrup: 15 mg/kg every 4–6 hours if needed (check dose with doctor)
- Extra feeds and cuddles
- Cool damp cloth on injection site if very swollen
Where to Go in Singapore
Polyclinics (subsidised - Bring NRIC)
- Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Merah, Choa Chu Kang
- Clementi, Geylang, Hougang, Jurong, Kallang
- Marine Parade, Pasir Ris, Pioneer, Punggol
- Queenstown, Sengkang, Tampines, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Yishun
Paediatric hospitals
- KKH Women's and Children's Hospital - 100 Bukit Timah Rd
- NUH Children's Medical Institute - 5 Lower Kent Ridge Rd
- Thomson Medical Centre - 339 Thomson Rd
- Gleneagles Hospital - 6A Napier Rd
Continue the Newborn Guide: