Maternal and Child Health Nurse Question.

[Snacks]

In my local council, I had to register in order to be able to take DD there at all, so it is definitely voluntary and you need to be proactive to go and see them in some places.
I agree with what several others have said, in that sometimes they are a great help, other times not. You sound to me as though you have a very rational head on your shoulders, so I can't see that visiting your clinic would cause you too much alarm in any case Having said that, there's no point in visiting a chn who does or says absolutely nothing to help you.
I took Natalie for the first 6 months, then a couple of times after that, mainly when I had questions. I could have seen my GP but the clinic was closer and more convenient at the time.
When she was 4-ish months, they suspected a lazy eye and so sent me to the eye specialist when she came to town. Cost me nothing, was something I hadn't noticed myself, turned out her eyes were perfectly fine anyway. But I am so glad we checked because if there had have been something wrong it would have been easier to address earlier rather than later, KWIM?
Good luck with your decision(s) - there are so many to make as a new parent! I HTH a little.

[Crystalwings]

As a new mum I just find that it's a great excuse to get out of the house and do something in the community. I live in a small town and usually run into someone I know in the waiting room which is a nice way to catch up. DH also likes it when we go to clinic as he can look in Olive's blue book and watch her progress after he gets home from work. My local CFHN is a BF councillor with the ABA so has been really supportive with all the problems i've had with that and has gone out of her way to help me. I know what your saying about 'normal' development and even the labelling of children but IMO if there was a serious problem with my child that could be avoided by going to clinic then I would take it. I am going back to work p/t in April and the CFHN is also helping me make a BF plan and they pick up on things like PND if that becomes an issue. I agree with everyone else that it probably depends on the rapport you have with them.