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Original poster

Two year check - should I bother?

15 replies

Nome · 08/12/2004 09:51

ds has just been sent an appt for his two year check. I have cancelled it as we cannot make the appt and he isn't even two yet...
Last time we saw hv he was 16 weeks and she suggested that reducing the number of breastfeeds he had would slow his weight gain. His weight was in proportion to his length, but she couldn't measure his length because, "babies are too bendy to get a clear reading."
Sorry this is a bit jumbled, but I still fizz with anger when I think about it.
So. Do I swallow my anger and rebook an appointment for ds when he turns two, or do I 'forget'/not bother?

OP posts:

littledonkeyrach · 08/12/2004 09:58

I think you are fortunate to be given this appt; where we live you are not offered any developement checks after 9 months, and have to fight for one!!

WRT his length, I was told the same with each DD, and understand that their head circumferance is a much better indicator.

At the end of the day it is your choice though!!

popsycal · 08/12/2004 10:04

The last developmental check we were offered was 6 weeks!
I asked why and they said they don't routinely offer them.. They said I should go to the baby clinic if I was concerned......I said I work full time....they said so how would you bring him to a two year check then!
Hmm

skiingawhitexmas · 08/12/2004 10:06

Well Nome, we've been sent a letter about the 2yr aptmt (ds is 2 in 20 days time ) but the letter says that our HVs don't routinely do 2 yr checks - if you have any concerns then you can make an aptmt, if not you don't need to bother. So I guess the questions to ask yourself are...1) do you have any concerns over your ds development that you want to discuss with the HV? 2) Do you think they would give you reliable info that you would trust if you did meet them?

fwiw I'm not bothering with a 2yr check. I don't have any major concerns over ds development and tbh if I did I'd rather go and see the doc anyway as the docs have been fantastic whenever I've had to take ds to see them. HTH but I think whatever you decide will be the right decision for you. Mummys know best IMO!

SnowmAngeliz · 08/12/2004 10:06

Personally, unless you're worried about something i wouldn't bother.

Flumberrysauce · 08/12/2004 10:15

Ok this is interesting. I forgot to make appt for 8 month check then was away for a month. dd is 10 months now - seems fine, don't know what she weighs or how long, don't really care anyway.

But the space in the little red book is there. Feel abit guilty coz a friend was looking through it and thought it 'irresponsible' that I'd only had her weighed once (they don't do it on jab days). But I said look at her - and she's in size 4 nappies so she must be growing!

NomDePlumPudding · 08/12/2004 10:19

2 year checks are offered as standard in my area, in fact they come and do them in your home. My DD had the developmental assessment as I thought

a) It's offered so why not make use of it. If I decline the appt then it may well be withdrawn for other children due to lack of uptake.

b) I was interested to see how she was progressing according to the 'standard'

c) They came to my house so it was zero fuss.

Obviously it is your choice / decision to make and none of us can really tell you what to do about it. Go with your instincts on this one, Nome.

nailpolish · 08/12/2004 10:28

my hv came to my house too so it was nae bother. i think they can properly assess a child in their own home environment as opposed to a surgery. the child is more relaxed for a start. although dd's check took all of 5 mins, and hv sat and had 2 cups of tea and gossiped for the rest of the time!

motherinfestivemood · 08/12/2004 10:31

I have to say I wouldn't bother.

Pidge · 08/12/2004 10:39

We don't get a 2 year check as such where I live, though apparently dp filled out a form with information about dd's abilities!! Like how many words was she using etc. I'd love to believe the form got looked at, but suspect it went straight into the bin / filing system black hole.

If you're not worried, I wouldn't bother.

Uwila · 08/12/2004 11:23

Agree that if I thought there might be a problem, I'd go find a specialist (i.e. a medical doctor not a health visitor). However, if the Health Visitor wanted to come round and give us a free developmental check, I'd probably accept it (if I could easily accommodate the schedule). We haven't had a development check since her hearing check, which I think was at 8 months. But, if ever I have a question I post it here on the ever helpful mumsnet and get better answers from the real experts (mums!).

Popsycal, oh that makes me soooooo mad when they expect my work schedule to evolve around theirs. Like going to work isn't a valid reason for not being available. WTF!

I think the NHS needs to be reminded that it's my NI contribution that pays their salaries... hence they work for me! But, most (however, not all) of the NHS employees whether they by GPs or midwives I've ever met seem to think they are doing me some great favor by blessing me with a very small bit of their time.

When DD's immunisation appointments first came through, I told them I was busy then. I tell ya, they didn't know what to say. I had to compromise and take their predetermined day. But I would never accept anything but the very first appointment of the day to allow for minimal time away from work.

Hulababy · 08/12/2004 12:23

We have a 2 year check as standard in Sheffield too. That's the last one now though. I went as we'd recently moved to a new area so used in to check in, etc.

Original poster

Nome · 08/12/2004 12:46

Thank you for all your replies. I will stew over it over Christmas (and find the red book) and maybe make an appt in the New Year. I am currently inclining towards the can't be bothered attitude. If I thought ds had problems I would go to the gp (who is great) or ask mumsnet.

There are three hv in our practice, so it is a matter of chance which variety of crapness you get on a given day: the one who thinks mothers can't read, the one who thinks babies are too bendy to measure or the one who seems quite normal, but frantically busy. I seem to be talking myself out of this...

OP posts:

ButtonMoon · 08/12/2004 13:23

I'd just go. Doesn't really matter about the age as long as they are around that age (my DD was 27 months at her 18-24 month check!!, my friends DS was 17 months!) The advice that you were given about b/f and weight gain is hv's (incorrect)opinion and probably based more on bottlefeeding TBH. The 2 yr checks are more objective, they use published standard materials and tests. I didn't have any concerns about DD but it was nice to know that she was progressing nicely and above average on some skills. Just be prepared mentally to counter anymore silly things that the hv may say!!

Uwila · 08/12/2004 14:26

Just curious, what happens at a 2 year check. Do they check:
language development?

Physical coordination?

Attitude? (she's got one of those!)

moondog · 08/12/2004 14:31

Screening tests are just that!
Most people know if something is amiss, but many don't and screening will be of enormous benefit to them.
As someone who worked for the NHS, would just point out that millions are lost through missed appts, so if you are not going, then cancel it, so that someone else can have it (but see you've already done that. Top marks!)

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