When do you stop taking your child to the annual Well Pediatric check? I just took my five year old and the doc looked in her ears, check that she was cleaning the genitals properly, and asked if she could spell her name and if she new her address, phone number, and emergency number.
Well, I intend to take him annually until he is out of my home and can decide for himself if he needs to go as an adult
The doc has a schedule that they follow, ask them when they expect you to stop. My expectations are they go every year.
Once they hit school they have to get yearly physicals for the school, so it just keeps going.
I would still go annually, especially if it is required for school or sports, and she might have vaccines due at some point. If you have concerns, you can address them. If you are not happy with your current pediatrician, you could always find someone new.
The well-checks continue since school requires a yearly physical and proof of vaccinations. Sounds like you just have a lack-luster doctor who is doing the minimum. Maybe just change doctors. You can call up offices and say you are looking to change and want to meet the doctor. I wanted one with a pleasant bed side manner for my kids and has a strong opinion. I want the doctor's experience and education to tell me what they would do with their own kid, not just give me lots of pros and cons. Ask around at the school or friends who other moms like. PS, my 5 year old did not know our phone number or her address, but she got a thorough physical, and there were developmental questions and questions about fluoride tablets and vitamins, as well as car seats, smoking in the house, etc.
I take my kids, EVERY year, for their annual exam.
My kids are now 4 and 8 years old.
They get a full exam and any shots/booster shots, hearing/vision tests, TB shot tests etc.
Very important.
My 8 year-old has not had a "well child" doctor visit since she started Kindergarten, I don't believe, maybe it was 1st grade. Our school does not require a yearly physical, just a record of her immunizations. After the vaccinations are done, there doesn't seem to be a need. She is perfectly healthy, didn't miss even one day of 2nd grade last year. She gets hearing and vision tests at school.
I will never stop. My kids are 18, 15, 8 and they go every year. Everyone should see their doctor at least annually. And every other year or so a full lab work up.
We never went to annual appointments, as a kid. I'm in my twenties...I think this is a "new" thing in the past decade. I say, do whatever you are comfortable with. (unless your child has a history of difficulties, or illnesses.) My mother stopped taking us yearly at 6...we were are still are fine. It depends on your state, with what is required. Here, you only need a physical, if they play on sports teams. Vaccinations aren't required, either.
They went faithfully every year to arround age 8, after that things just got busy and we would forget, so now they go every 18 months to 2 years.
I think my kid's went until around 8 or so, and then going into Middle School for the booster shots and now yearly for their sports physicals. The school's check hearing, vision, & scoloiosis so we just kind of faded off with the appts. If there was an issue or if they were sick then I would be at the Dr.'s in a heartbeat!
Since we home school we don't get all the checks at school like vision and hearing. Mine are 9, 6 & 16 months. They all go in. The oldest 2 are once a year and the youngest is obviously more frequent. We just found our second needed glasses at his last apt so it's good that we still go in.
I figure we'll take them in on a regular basis until the dr says we should come less often.
my daughter is three right now. i plan on having her see a dr once a year for her life. i go once a year and will teach her to do the same.
My ped recommends annually until age 8. After that he is comfortable with every 2 years.
It will only stop till they reach adult hood & can make that decision to continue or not i'm 30 & still go very year regardless...
The annual exam includes shots if needed height weight any ?'s a parent may have,head to toe exam & order blood testing if necessary...At age 5 they usualy do an in office hearing & vision check
My kids are 16 & 13 and after a certain point (5?) we didn't go unless there was illness or a sports/camp physical needed.
