Well-Child Visit Schedule: How Often Should Your Child See the Pediatrician?

Most parents know to bring their child in when something feels wrong. What surprises many families is how much happens at visits when nothing is wrong at all. The well child visit schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics exists for exactly this reason: it maps out the moments when a pediatrician can catch something early, give your child the right vaccine at the right time, and answer the questions that have been piling up since the last appointment.

At the Center for Pediatric Medicine, we have been caring for families across the Greater Danbury area since 1992. Our four locations in Danbury and New Fairfield are open 7 days a week, including most holidays, so staying on schedule does not have to mean rearranging your work week.

What is a well-child visit?

A well child visit is a routine checkup for a child who is not currently sick. It is sometimes called a well visit, well check, wellness visit, or annual physical, depending on your child’s age. The purpose is preventive: track growth, screen for developmental delays, administer vaccines, and give parents a chance to raise concerns before they become problems.

These visits are not just about your child’s height and weight. Your pediatrician is listening for heart murmurs, looking at vision and hearing development, checking hips and spine, reviewing nutrition, and asking about sleep and behavior. A lot happens in a short appointment.

Well-child visits form the backbone of your relationship with your pediatrician. Over time, your provider builds a complete picture of your child, which makes it easier to spot changes that a new doctor might miss. At CPM, each patient is assigned a consistent care team for exactly this reason.

For more details on what to expect, see our wellness visit page.

The complete well child visit schedule from birth to 21

The schedule below follows the Bright Futures guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Your child’s individual schedule may vary slightly based on health history or your pediatrician’s recommendations.

 

Age	Visit name	Key focus at this checkup
3–5 days	Newborn visit	Weight, feeding, jaundice, newborn screening
1 month	1-month checkup	Growth, feeding, sleep, parental concerns
2 months	2-month checkup	First vaccines, development, tummy time
4 months	4-month checkup	Vaccines, motor milestones, solid food readiness
6 months	6-month checkup	Vaccines, teething, sitting, social development
9 months	9-month checkup	Crawling, separation anxiety, safety (no vaccines)
12 months	1-year checkup	Walking, first words, lead screening, vaccines
15 months	15-month checkup	Vaccines, autism screen, language development
18 months	18-month checkup	Autism screen, developmental screen, vaccines
24 months	2-year checkup	Speech (50+ words), behavior, vision screen
30 months	30-month checkup	Developmental screening, social-emotional check
Age 3–5	Annual visits	School readiness, vision, hearing, vaccines
Age 6–21	Annual visits	Growth, mental health, sports physicals, vaccines

 

Table: AAP-recommended well child visit schedule from birth through age 21, with key screening focus at each visit. Based on the Bright Futures/AAP periodicity schedule.

 

Newborn and infant visits (birth to 12 months)

The first year of life is the most visit-intensive period on the well child visit schedule, and that density is intentional. Babies change week to week. The 3-to-5-day newborn visit is one of the most important: it catches weight loss, jaundice, and feeding problems before they become serious. Vaccines begin at 2 months and continue at 4 and 6 months.

At CPM, we schedule newborn appointments within days of discharge and can often see new families the same week. If you are an expectant parent in the Danbury or New Fairfield area, we welcome prenatal consultations so your baby has a home with us before the birth.

Toddler and preschool visits (ages 1 to 5)

After the 12-month visit, checkups continue at 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, and 30 months. The 18-month visit includes a formal autism spectrum screening and a developmental assessment. These are not optional extras: early identification of developmental delays opens the door to early intervention, which research consistently shows improves long-term outcomes.

From age 3 onward, the schedule shifts to once a year. These preschool visits cover school readiness, vision and hearing screening, and any behavioral concerns that have emerged as your child navigates more social settings.

School-age and teen visits (ages 6 to 21)

Annual visits continue through the school years and into young adulthood. CPM cares for patients from birth through age 21, which means your teenager does not have to switch providers at 18. Teen visits add mental health screening, substance use conversations, and reproductive health guidance to the standard physical exam.

Sports physicals and pre-college wellness visits are also part of our care. The CPM team has seen patients grow from newborn to college-bound, and that continuity of care matters.

 

Ready to get on schedule? Schedule your child’s next well visit at CPM at our Danbury or New Fairfield offices, open 7 days a week.

 

What happens at a well-child visit?

Every well visit includes a head-to-toe physical exam. Your provider will measure height, weight, and head circumference for younger children, then track those numbers on a growth chart. Sudden changes in growth trajectory are one of the first signals a pediatrician looks for.

Vaccines are administered on a schedule designed to protect children at the ages when they are most vulnerable. Your provider will review which vaccines are due at each visit and answer questions about timing, side effects, and schedules.

Developmental screening is woven into every visit. At certain checkpoints, your provider will use standardized tools to assess speech, motor skills, social-emotional development, and cognitive milestones. Parents are not expected to know what is typical: that is what the screening is for.

One often-overlooked part of the well visit is the dedicated time for parental questions. Bring a list. Sleep, nutrition, screen time, behavior, school struggles: these are all fair game. At CPM, we also have an on-site lactation consultant and a registered dietitian for concerns that go beyond a single appointment.

Are well-child visits covered by insurance in Connecticut?

Under the Affordable Care Act, preventive care visits for children, including all well-child visits on the AAP schedule, are covered at no cost-sharing for most insurance plans. That means no copay and no deductible for a standard well visit if you are in-network.

CPM accepts most major insurance plans. Coverage details vary, and some services provided at a well visit (such as a blood draw or a specific referral) may be billed separately. Our team can walk you through what to expect before your appointment. Visit our billing and insurance page for details or call us at (203) 790-0822.

What if your child missed a visit?

Schedules slip. Illnesses, work conflicts, and the general chaos of family life mean that many children fall behind on their well visits at some point. This is more common than you might think, and pediatricians are accustomed to catching up.

If your child has missed one or more visits, the right move is simply to book the next one now. Your provider will review what was missed, catch up on any overdue vaccines or screenings, and get your child back on track. There is no judgment here, only a fresh start.

New families are also always welcome at CPM. If you are looking for a pediatrician in the Danbury or Fairfield County area, visit our new patient page to get started.

Frequently asked questions

Are well-child visits required by law?

In most states, including Connecticut, well-child visits are not legally mandated for all families. However, some school districts or childcare programs require proof of up-to-date physical exams and immunizations for enrollment. Check your specific school’s requirements, and note that CPM can provide the necessary documentation after a completed well visit.

What is a well-child visit?

A well-child visit is a routine checkup for a healthy child. It covers physical growth, developmental milestones, vaccines, vision and hearing screening, and any concerns from parents or caregivers. It is distinct from a sick visit, which addresses a specific illness or injury.

How often are well-child visits recommended?

In the first two years, visits occur frequently, roughly 7 times in year one and 4 to 5 times in year two. From age 3 onward, annual visits are the standard recommendation. Your pediatrician may suggest more frequent visits if your child has an ongoing health condition.

Are well-child visits free?

For most families with insurance, well-child visits are covered at 100% under the ACA’s preventive care mandate, with no copay required for in-network providers. Families without insurance may be eligible for coverage through Medicaid or CHIP (Husky Health in Connecticut). Call CPM at (203) 790-0822 to discuss your options.

 

Staying on top of your child’s checkups is one of the most effective things you can do for their long-term health. Book a well visit at our Danbury or New Fairfield office. We are open 7 days a week, with late evening hours and after-hours doctor coverage 24/7 for urgent calls.