Anyone NOT bother with 6 month checks?

[Kitt3n]

Anyone else feel this was a bit of a waste of time?

We aren't vaccing, measuring and weighing her at home (all good according to scales)

I know about introducing solids etc (we are following BLS) - what else are they going to talk to me about..... ?

is there any real reason to go when I know she is fine?

[MantaRay]

I didn't bother with DS2. I'd follow your instinct hun.

[Marlene]

I had Jack's 6 month check done...but not sure if i'll be taking him for his 12 month...probably not seeing as he is almost 14 months now, LOL.

[Kitt3n]

thanks ladies

yeah i really don't see the point

lol marlene no i dont think you are going either!

[Oorki Galoorki]

DD hasnt had any and is almost 2
DS is almost 4 and had up until 12 months i think

[KatieRabbit]

I don't think I took DD for hers... Same reasons as you- no vaccs, her hearing and vision were good, didn't need food advice, weighed and measured at home etc so I felt that all was ok with her. If I had any doubts I would have taken her, but I didn't! I did check her baby folder to see what would be checked/discussed and I was fine with not going...

[lestyrox]

Thanks for starting this thread Kitt3n, i was wondering the same thing myself. DS2 is 7.5months now and since we've just moved to a new town i haven't had a chance to take him for his 6month check...i think i'll just skip this one. He seems ok to me and i know he's growing and developing fine. I'd say go with your gut, if you think DD is fine then there probably isn't any need

[Arimeh]

Totally off topic Kitt3n but omg - I can't believe she is 6 months already!!

[Trillian]

I would PURELY for the reason that where do you think they get the stats from when they say only 20% of babies are BF at 6, 12, 18+ months? They get that info from the baby health checks, so the rate of BF babies at each health check could be so much higher than it is if everyone went and actually did it. You don't have to ask for advice or help, but for pure statistical reasons only I would go.

[Rouge]

I'm really bad... DS only had appts up to 3 months, then I never went back. *oops* Purely because the centre I had were crappy with advice. Would I recommend this to everyone? No definitely not, especially if it is your first. And I did get my Dr to give him a good check over when he had his immunisations.

[MrsFabuloso]

I stopped with DD at about 9mths I think. With DS it was about 3mths. I didn't like the MCHN with DS so I just didn't go back. My babies were happy and healthy so I never saw the sense. They have been seen by the gp when sick, she checks them out quickly, so I'm not worried. Beisides I can see if they're ok or not!

[MamaPan]

i asked my gp to do the 6 month check at some pt when i took himin for something else...
i didnt go back to the mhn from 4 months to 18 month check (which we did at about 19 month)
interesting pt sherie raises re stats though...

[danniellabella]

I took DD for her injections at 6 months but the GP said she looks healthy and asked me if she's eating well and said that unless I had any concerns they didn't need to do a check up

[Matryoshka]

I'm not big on check ups, but i've done them up to and including the 6 month checks because they do check more than just measurements, they check hips, reflexes and responses, and i found it good peice of mind just to know. But for what its worth i never went through the health nurse system as i've never found one who's demeanor i really like and they're rarely supportive of breastfeeding. I've taken both my boys to a very good GP who's philosophies are conducive with mine.

[Kitt3n]

I've taken both my boys to a very good GP who's philosophies are conducive with mine.

gosh where do you find one of those?!
trill - i didnt think of that. might go just to bump the stats!

[Matryoshka]

gosh where do you find one of those?!
trill - i didnt think of that. might go just to bump the stats!

It has been so hard trust me! had to try lots of surgeries. My Dr now is fantastic, every time i went to her in tears because BF ds2 was so hard she kept saying i just needed to get to 6 months at least, she would encourage me a bit further each time and it really helped as i had NO one else telling me to keep going. She also asks how i am when i'm just there about one of the boys and always spends lots of time with us rather than rushing us out.

I would definately look around because there are good gps out there!

[SamiH]

I agree with the stats reasoning too - not just for BF but for other things too like x% of suspected hip issues were picked up at clinic, or fontanelle closures, or other health related things.