Do most people take their babies to the baby clinic?

[happygilmore]

The HV's here run a drop in session once a week although I've never been to one.

What are they for? Are they for you to go to with any questions etc?

I used to go once a month to get him weighed. Haven't been since his 9 month check (13 months now). I didn't really use it for anything else, but they would ask general questions about health, feeding etc in case I had worries.
They are there for anything you want to know.

I just go to get mine weighed occasionally but I wouldnt bother at all expect my DS is titchy.

You don't have to go if you can't be arsed don't want to.

Thanks, I'm guessing the weighing is to check they're growing OK? People keep asking me how much DD weighs and I've no idea - quite a lot by the looks of it!

I went quite frequently with DC1 and haven't bothered with DC2 and DC3. You don't need to go, but some people feel that the little snippets of advice are useful and like to know their baby's weight. I have found that getting them weighed just caused problems and the advice was counter productive. If you are happy with the things as they are and you are happy that your baby is doing well then you have no need to go.

Usually people take their first relatively regularly and take subsequent children infrequently or never. I used to take my DS often, but my DD has never been at all and she is 2.5.

You go to have your baby weighed, and to be asked "And how are we?"

I never took DC3...all too bloody painful as I was far too busy..

18lb! thats HUGE !

Well they can't be too vital - the drop in clinic was withdrawn in our area about 18 months ago when DD was 6 months old. I was quite aggrieved at the time but haven't really missed it.

Used to go fairly regularly with DD1, if only to get us out of the house and see people

Am far too busy with DD2 as I now have a social life. Plan to go next week though as DD2 hasn't been weighed in ages and have a chat with the HVs - have had a few problems this year and surprisingly, they have been great and really helpful.

My HV did fortnightly open clinics. I went for the first couple of months for something to do on Wednesdays. I was desperately trying to give my maternity leave/"unemployment" some kind of weekly routine. I eventually found other things to do on Wednesdays.

went fairly often with ds1 until he was about 7 or 8 months then didnt bother, only went once with ds2

I only went to get DCs weighed. DS (now 5) had colic and weight gain issues so until the age of 6 months we went pretty much weekly/fortnightly as that was what the HV recommended. It dropped off to monthly until he was a year. Then I went back to work and didn't get a chance to take him. I liked that clinic as I could walk there, then went to the shops afterwards and had coffee and it was a trip out. DD is now 16 months. The clinic moved and is now next to a school and the clinic time is 2-4. It is also too far to walk so need to drive. If you don't get there at 2pm, all the school run mums take the parking spaces. I took her monthly to get weighed until the age of 6 months - again, what the HV recommended. At 6 months I asked when I should take her again. HV looked blank and said why would I want to, unless I had problems? So, never been back!