Why do Well Baby Visits?

[WaitingForKiddos]

Ds is 6 weeks old. He's had 2 WBV, at 1 week and 2 weeks. Both visits were the same. Weigh, measure by the nurse then the ped (who is great) comes in looks at weight looks at Ds's eyes, feels his body, and declares him well. Ped asks me of there are any quesions and then that's it. Total visit is about 4 minutes if I have no questions.

We aren't doing the 2 month shots. I have no questions. I've weighed Ds on a baby scale at MW's and at a LC office. He's gaining well (birth weight 7lbs1oz current weight as of Sat. 9lbs). Developmentally DS is smiling while nursing, lifting his head, supporting his neck/head when upright about 40% of the time, staring to coo and 'talk', kicking his legs, trying to turn back to belly.

So why do the 2 month visit? Is it just to keep on good terms with the Ped? Do Peds check for anything major developmental at this point?

It seems like a waste of time and $$

[Knitting Mama]

I like doing WBV for a few reasons. First and foremost is to develop a good relationship with my pedi. She is really awesome and not pushy about things we don't want to do, so that goes a long way as well. The second reason is because I like to make sure that all is developing well for my babe; I wouldn't know how to check for all the signs of early childhood illnesses the way my pedi would. And finally, I like seeing where she is in the various percentiles; she started life as a very small baby (5th percentile for height and weight, 25th for head) and it's nice to see how she's growing.

[Mom2M]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

I like doing WBV for a few reasons. First and foremost is to develop a good relationship with my pedi. She is really awesome and not pushy about things we don't want to do, so that goes a long way as well. The second reason is because I like to make sure that all is developing well for my babe; I wouldn't know how to check for all the signs of early childhood illnesses the way my pedi would. And finally, I like seeing where she is in the various percentiles; she started life as a very small baby (5th percentile for height and weight, 25th for head) and it's nice to see how she's growing.

All of the above. Our pedi. is not pushy on vaccines or anything else. We really like him and there are times when we have needed to go in for a sick visit when I feel uncomfortable treating at home.

This is a mainstream explanation of well baby visits but it's the only one I could find that listed the physical exam and that is another big reason we go. I do not know how to assess these things and if there is a problem, I want to know as soon as possible.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00026

There are times when I might smile and say no thanks, lol, but I get a good response from him when I do.

It's not right for everyone and most babies never need physical or developmental intervention.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama

I like doing WBV for a few reasons. First and foremost is to develop a good relationship with my pedi. She is really awesome and not pushy about things we don't want to do, so that goes a long way as well. The second reason is because I like to make sure that all is developing well for my babe; I wouldn't know how to check for all the signs of early childhood illnesses the way my pedi would. And finally, I like seeing where she is in the various percentiles; she started life as a very small baby (5th percentile for height and weight, 25th for head) and it's nice to see how she's growing.

I agree with this and Mom2M. We didn't do any shots until the 6 month visit but I like to "keep in touch" with the doc. We really don't see him other than sick visits usually and I like the kids to know him. It makes me feel like I can touch base and know that everything is going swimmingly.

[mom2happy]

We dont vaccinate either and that is precisely why we do well visits.
It will always be on record that your child did have their check ups and that you are not negligent. You dont know what could come up as they get older.
Thats just the way it is unfortunately.
Our ped is an hour away and is awesome, so my kids think its fun to go. They have no bad association with him (due to never getting shots)

[Hannah32]

I want my baby checked for any potential problems before they become problems, especially the heart and lung check. IMO, they are important to do.

[MaddieMay]

For many of the reasons others mentioned above. Also, I like having a different set of eyes check over DS. DS's family doctor has caught things that I would NEVER have noticed-things that could become a big deal later on in life if not treated early. Plus, when DS's sick I like to go to someone who knows him and has seen him before.

Ours is pro-vax, but respects our wishes (we are selective/delay vax) and is wonderful in every other way.

[happysmileylady]

Another reason to go is so that the doc has his own record of the baby's growth and development and can see if there is some sort of pattern that might indicate a problem...or not. Some problems might not be obvious from one or two symptoms, but when combined with a previous history that your doc can see, he or she might be able to make a better judgement. Plus, if your little one DOES get sick, your doc is better able to set up treatments if he has his own record and pattern of your child's growth and development.

And while you see the doc poke around his body, look in his eyes etc, it doesn't look like much. But, the doc knows just what he's looking for and really does have a reason to do that stuff. There really is stuff that he is checking for, and they may or may not be things you would notice as a parent.

[WaitingForKiddos]

Thanks ladies! All those reasons make sense and it seems to be a good choice to keep going in. And the ped is really fantastic so I don't have to worry about a vax lecture or penis manipulation.

[AugustLia23]

Well, for us, we didn't. We don't vaccinate, and have taken all our kids to the doctor at least a few times only to realie what a waste of time it was. When my oldest son was a baby, I read an excellent book called How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of your Doctor, by Robert Mendelsohn. Helped me to realize that I am the first line of defense in my childrens health. We also DID have multiple doctors that wanted to manipulate his foreskin AND force vaccines on us, so that didn't help our trust levels.

I still believe in developing a relationship, but would be extremely picky about who I chose.

[aramat]

I don't do WBV, even though our pedi is really great. It's a waste of time & money to me unless I have questions I can't find the answers to on my own. I also don't like taking baby where there may be sick kids, even if the waiting rooms are separated. IMO, you don't have to do WBV to maintain a relationship with a pedi who really is great!

Originally Posted by AugustLia23

Well, for us, we didn't. We don't vaccinate, and have taken all our kids to the doctor at least a few times only to realie what a waste of time it was. When my oldest son was a baby, I read an excellent book called How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite of your Doctor, by Robert Mendelsohn. Helped me to realize that I am the first line of defense in my childrens health. We also DID have multiple doctors that wanted to manipulate his foreskin AND force vaccines on us, so that didn't help our trust levels.

I still believe in developing a relationship, but would be extremely picky about who I chose.

Great book!!!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by aramat

I don't do WBV, even though our pedi is really great. It's a waste of time & money to me unless I have questions I can't find the answers to on my own. I also don't like taking baby where there may be sick kids, even if the waiting rooms are separated.

i did have one of the docs in the practice give me a hard time for not doing wbv, but when i have to wait 2 hours in a place where i cant let him explore for a 2 minute visit that costs me $100... I'll pass.

[Lit Chick]

With my first, I did WBVs on sched for a bit, but my first ped was awful. After we switched at appx 3 months, I went on 2 WBVs to establish a relationship and after that we've only been back for sick visits. He's almost 3 now.
After #2 arrives, I'll take him for the early WBVs, to both get the 'ship going and to make sure the early development is on track. We don't vax so there's really no other reason to go.

[kryztuh]

For the first year I did every other WBV, and then just once a year after that to maintain the relationship. I think that's a good compromise between going to every one and none.

[november]

Personally, we do them because I LOVE our CNP and she loves my daughter so it's nice to go in and see here every once in a while. Also, we don't vaccinate and I like to keep a "paper trail" of proof that I am not being "negligent" with my daughter's health care. And as a first time parent, it's always nice to have the peace of mind that she is healthy and right where she should be health wise and developmentally!

[Addie]

We go for all the reasons mentioned above. In a nutshell, I consider my ped to be someone I've "hired" to provide medical guidance, and I trust him to catch things I might not. I've never understood the mistrust and borderline hatred of doctors on these boards. Maybe I take our situation for granted - I love our ped, WBVs are no charge with our insurance, and we've never had to wait more than 5 minutes past our appointment time. So for us, it's a no-brainer.

[texmati]

As a first time mom, even with everythign I've read, it's really nice to have a ped to check in with every now and again about DS's development,ect.

[Peony]

I've done them and not done them with different children. I always do one with my 2nd child due to her health issues. DS who is now 1 has gone in a couple times when it worked out to have an appointment tacked on to the one for DD2, but as I was typing this I realized I can't remember when he was in last time. I know I spoke to the pedi when he was 12 months but I actually think I was in there for DD2... who knows! DD1 didn't have one until she was 4 when we needed referrals for evals, it was never an issue. And her issues were not ones the pedi would of caught anyway. I do like having a relationship with our doc, BUT I didn't have a relationship with her when DD2 got severely ill as a baby, we just built one along the way with months of hospital/doc visits. And half the time now I never get our doc during urgent care things anyway. DD2 and DS were in there multiple times last winter with RSV, pneumonia, and a burn for DD2, I never got our doc once. I guess what I am saying is that it doesn't always matter one way or the other.

[Kikelet]

Originally Posted by Addie

We go for all the reasons mentioned above. In a nutshell, I consider my ped to be someone I've "hired" to provide medical guidance, and I trust him to catch things I might not. I've never understood the mistrust and borderline hatred of doctors on these boards. Maybe I take our situation for granted - I love our ped, WBVs are no charge with our insurance, and we've never had to wait more than 5 minutes past our appointment time. So for us, it's a no-brainer.

I am in the same boat here, but I also see why other families can't afford to pay out of pocket if their babies are happy and healthy. I was considering not going for a brief period of time, but then I realized that since I love our Pedi, why not go have her love on my baby and just give her a quick check over? It is important for overall health care costs and long-term health to be preventative with care. That means to not wait until the problem is bad/severe to do something about it, not that families who don't do WBC are being neglectful by any means!! But care after the fact ends up costing way more in the long run, right? With as much as I know about physiology and child development, I still want to bring my baby in in case the doctor sees something I don't.. We're not talking about things like "Well, E is not gaining as much weight as "I'D" like, so maybe you should start supplementing with formula" when she's in the 50th percentile...That's more of an opinion and not a medical fact.

We get prenatal care to make sure our babies are ok, right? And even if we don't go see a professional during pregnancy because we have educated ourselves, we mostly would seek help if we felt there was something wrong. I do not intend to sound like I am putting pedi's on a pedestal of holy knowledge, but I trust them to find diseases and other issues with my baby because they are specifically trained in that. If my baby is healthy, then no harm done. If anything, I am participating in preventative care, as well as what I do to educate myself on infant health and when to seek help at home.

[First Time Mama]

We didn't do any WBV with DS who is now almost 3. I was afraid that I would be pressured to vax, and that I wouldn't be able to stand up for myself, and the other reasons that WBV could be good didn't occur to me. If I had it to do over again, I would probably do things differently, and go to some. We did take him in a few times when he was sick, and had good experiences. With this next one, I don't know what to do. We are in a different town, that is pretty conservative compared to the last place we lived, and we have medi-cal. Not a lot of choice in doctors. If I had a Family doc or pedi that I loved and that supported no vax I would go, and I would love that situation, haven't found it yet. With this next baby, I am not sure what to do, we might be moving several times over the 1st year, and could be without insurance until DH finishes school. I'll have to think some more on that. I am curious though, about DS growth, and percentile and stuff. He seems kind of small for his age, but he has always been very healthy. I am thinking about scheduling an annual check up with the pedi we liked in our hometown in a few weeks (around his birthday) and just paying out of pocket, cause I think it might make me feel good. And it couldn't hurt to show that he's been to a doc a few times.