Regular check-ups

I live in a country where they aren't very good at check-ups, so I really have to be on top of this. Just wondering what your paed recommend for regular check-ups when your kids are 2 and 3 yrs old. My kids are 2yrs 9months right now, and its probably been about 6months since their last check-up. I have had all their immunizations and have taken them in for colds/flu type things, but that is it.

 

After 2, our next well child visit is when they turn 3. It's just once a year now.

 

Same here, we will see our pedi for the next well baby visit at age 3.

 

I do well visits every 3 years because that is how long the "cleared for full participation in school and sports as appropriate for age" paperwork lasts here. I'll see the pedi if I have concerns about something and need professional advice but other than that just enough to keep the sports/school stuff up to date.

 

It's annually after age 2. The next big one though is 5 years.

 

I took mine in at 3 and our pedi acted like he didn't know why I thought they needed a check up at 3. I figured once a year - it was kind of a joke, he listened to their hearts, ASKED ME if their shots were up to date and the nurse gave me a sheet to fill out about what kind of things they are doing now - counting, hopping on one foot etc... I never turned them in and doubt anyone will ever notice. I am glad you asked this question because I have wondered the same thing - and now I am thinking I need to find a new pedi.

 

Annual visits are the norm here after age 2 unless the child is being monitored for a medical issue that necessitates more frequent checks. And, they get a whole slew of immunizations as they near public school age so some parents will go in for shots-only visits to spread those out.

My kids have had long lists of developmental questions every time (standard practice with our doc), the normal checks (weight, height, blood pressure, listening to their heart, etc), some sort of shots or blood work, and the doctor asks them questions to gauge language development. The last time, she had to double-check the date on one of their shots because there was a change in standards. I feel like we get very good, thorough care!

 

once a year here also after age 2 - and my doc encourages them!

 

Yes I believe standard is annually after 2 here as well. Although one of mine will be going every 3 months to monitor his growth, so just depends on your kids specific needs.

 

Ditto this!

Our well visits are lengthy and go over developmental issues (potty training, attention span, diet, skills, etc). Our Doc thinks that if she doesnt ask....then she wont know and a potential 'delay' problem could be missed!

They had their eyes checked as well at age 5.

Ditto this!

Our well visits are lengthy and go over developmental issues (potty training, attention span, diet, skills, etc). Our Doc thinks that if she doesnt ask....then she wont know and a potential 'delay' problem could be missed!

They had their eyes checked as well at age 5.

 

Once a year since age 2 -- though we're at the doctor way more often than that (especially Sarah).

Our ped also asks a lot of developmental questions, but he's clearly reading off a checklist. If I said they weren't meeting some goal, there would probably be follow-up. The behavioral stuff is pretty useless too (clearly intended for people who don't give a thought to how to raise children). However, it's still useful to have the appt, because I always have other medical questions saved up to ask.

 

yup. here too

 

Once a year after the first birthday here too (I am in Europe). But of course we see our pedi more often than that for immunizations and the occasional sickness, and can always have an extra check-up if there is a concern.

The regular well child - check ups are mandatory and enforced by the authorities here: you get pretty unfriendly reminders if you are late for them or your pedi is too busy to turn in the paperwork, and you will eventually get a visit from social services to check on the children if you do not go. The check-ups are pretty extensive with lots of developmental assessment as well as medical checks.

Children also have their eyes checked once a year beginning at 6-9 months if there is a family history of eye problems (later if there is none), and their teeth from age 2 onwards I think.

 

After 2 our insurance covers annual check ups. My mil works at our ped. office and was upset over this because she felt they needed to be seen at 2.5, so she wanted us to make up a reason to bring them in. I told her that was insurance fraud not to mention our co-pay and trying to get them there with our work schedules. That doesn't matter to her because she just wants to show them off :headbang: .

Last winter Max had pink eye so when I took him in to see the doctor she grabbed him from me and paraded him around the office. Surprise surprise when she got pink eye a few days later :laughing: .

I think if they are eating well, playing, and seem to be learning well then once a year is fine unless something comes up during the year.

 

At age 2, it went to age 3 & now it's continuing yearly. Age 3 was a big one for us...they checked their blood pressure (which will be with each visit now) & did both hearing & vision checks. My boys aren't due back until 4, unless we need to be seen for sick visits (and I need to call soon to discuss inhaler stuff for Aiden's asthma, but that can be done over the phone). We also take the boys to the dentist every 6 mos, starting at age 3 & I've done yearly eye exams since age 1 for Aiden (with an ophthalmologist) because of a concern, but also got Conner checked this year. They now graduated to every 2 years because our Peds clinic does such good vision screening, too. My boys were also screened through the school district back in September...height, weight, eyes, ears, & development. I'm super lucky in that my boys get super thorough care!

 

Our pedi still wants to see them every 6 months until they start school at 5.

 

Is this typical for Canada?

 

I'm not sure. I should ask some of my friends if that is what their pedi wants as well....

 

It's also yearly after age 2 here as well. My dd just turned 4 and is due for some shots, I just haven't had a chance to take her yet.

 

Our general recommendations were for annually after age 2. Our pedi did mention that there was a new recommendation for a 30 mo WBV but in our case, unless I felt like they needed it, he was fine with waiting until they were 3. That's what we did, and will stick with annual from here on out.