Been invited to a talk given by a health visitor in place of 8 month check - should I bother?

[margoandjerry]

In my area they don't do the 8 month development check which is really annoying as I would like my daughter to have one (she was prem). Instead, I have been invited to a talk with 20 other mums. It will cover weaning, safety, teeth cleaning etc. It says in the letter they do not do individual assessments or weighing.

Now I am thinking I know all of this and could probably give the talk myself (no sugar, no salt, move onto lumpy foods, plenty of veg, clean her teeth, don't let baby rewire the house, ...) so am thinking of not bothering.

Am I wrong?

[Gobbledigook]

I wouldn't go

[JudgeyMcJudgeson]

I wouldn't bother going if it was me.

[GooseyLoosey]

I wouldn't either. Presumably you could ask for a check though if you want one?

[Twinkie1]

I went to mine and made lots of lovely friends who I still have 2.5 years later as we all got together for coffee mornings.

I would go - meet other mums with babies the same age as you and cultivate friendships for youand your baby.

[Lostmykeys]

I wouldn't go. I also had an invite to one of these for a 10 month check. It was going to take 2 hours and did include weighing. It implied that you could discuss your baby's progress with the other Mums. I wanted a quick chat with the HV, weigh in and out again, not this. Poor service IMO. Haven't seen my HV since 6 week check and immunisations.

[margoandjerry]

ok thanks. It would be nice to know other mums in the area but really I can do this through the drop-ins and things (not that I ever go to those as I work FT).

Will not go but will make an appointment for weighing and general chat - she's getting to be such a lump I'd like to know if she's ok for weight etc.

[Lostmykeys]

I work full time too, which is why I was annoyed at having to give up a couple of hours in a morning. You are lucky to be able to make an alternative appointment as our HV told us in their letter this was our only chance for a check and no other appointments could be made.

[GodzillasBumcheek]

If you know all the bumpf already there is no reason for you to go...if they are concerned about your lo they should see you both individually, surely?

[mm22bys]

Sounds really boring, if you know it don't go, unless you want to meet some new people?