At What Age or Do You Stop Well Child Visits?

Yes, you take them in every year until they are 18. Children can become sick without showing any signs, and if you stop going to Dr. Appts. then you may miss something important.

My daughter is 7 and I just took her for a well-child exam yesterday! I figure, if I go to get my yearly exam done, and I take the cat to the vet once a year to get her checked on, and I harass my husband into going for a checkup every year, then for sure I will be taking my kids at least once a year. You don't want your child to associate the doctor's office with being sick and feeling awful! If you take them when they're healthy, too, then they will know their doctor and will feel comfortable confiding in him/her, and that is the sort of thing you want to encourage.

most schools want to see that you do a well visit.. Sometimes they need shots, they sometimes check eyes, check height and weight, check blood.. it's a good idea to have a well child visit every year just because.. they can see if a problem is happening and can take care of it.. if you have a problem with the cost..you can check out places that do visits for low cost or no cost..good luck.. but get a well visit until they are 18.. it's just a good idea. i found out when my daughter was 5 that she had a hearing issue.. we took care of it.. and all is well.. so you never know

I personally will continue to take my children every year unless directed otherwise by our pediatrician.

I like him to have a baseline of where our children were vs. where they currently are. Following my own diagnosis of cancer after our second child's birth, a business associate said a small gastric tumor was found on his 1 year-old son's abdomen during a routine well-baby visit.
I was otherwise outwardly healthy - just found a small, swollen node on my collarbone after nursing my daughter one night. My OB/GYN wasn't concerned, my FP was - even bloodwork and an ultrasound of the node didn't raise any flags. It took 3 pathologists to diagnose it.

I don't trust the "appearance" of health anymore after my own experiences. My cancer has cost ~$400K to diagnose, treat and monitor. I'll pay the $150 well child visit costs out of my own pocket to help keep my kids as healthy as possible.

That was reason enough for me to trust the pediatrician's educated assessment annually vs. my own.

I'd recommend visiting either HealthyChildren.org (parenting site from the American Academy of Pediatrics) or their own site, AAP.org to see what is advised at different ages.

Good luck!

you should see your dr atleast once a year. so should your child. i have a 3 year old and i dont plan on ever stopping taking her for check ups. if he hasnt been in to see his pediatrician i would make an appt so you can be reassured that he is indeed healthy and happy :)

Yes, you still need to take him in for his yearly well visits at least into he's 18. You don't know what could be going on with him plus the Dr needs to make sure that he's growing properly and manage his over all health.
Hopes this helps. Your childrens health is not something you want to play around with. I personally would never cause what if something happen I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. It don't think its really worth neglecting your son getting what he needs and deserves. Please don't take this wrong, I'm just want you to see my point of view.
I hope this helps.
M.

Age two... unless something is not right. A doctor won't be running any tests on a healthy child... this is more of a way of consoling the parent, for peace of mind, but it isn't necessary. Of course you go when they need shots. We don't run to the doctor for every little sniffle or sneeze either... use your parental instincts. And from experience, the doctors aren't always right. I know my opinion is not the norm based on what you've gotten... just go with your gut.

Wow - I was so surprised to read these answers! I guess I never thought about NOT taking my kids. They are very healthy, so maybe it is peace of mind for me and I usually have a list of questions I like to ask. My son is about to turn 11 and I have already scheduled his checkup. Also, he attends several camps and is involved in sports so he always needs a form filled out by his pediatrician regarding current health, so if he's been going every year all I have to do is drop off the forms and it's taken care of. I think it's best to take them.

After they get all their immunizations and only as needed for if I have a concern with eating habits, weight gain, physical development, etc, other from that why waste precious money if they are healthy...that's in my opinion

Just as a thought, ALLOT of insurances are not covering "well child" visits anymore after the age of 5. My daughter HAD to have one every year for sports (she was a little league cheerleader) and found out quite by accident that athletic or "well child" check ups weren't covered by the insurance we used.

Needless to say, after 5, we paid for the check up out of pocket.

But if you're wondering when you should stop well child check ups in general, my suggestion is 4 because that's when their last boosters are due and then on an as needed basis.

My copay is $30 so taking him in is costly. I do not take him in unless day care won't take him if he doesn't...or he's bleeding or severed a limb. I simply do not see the need.

I take my kids in for annual check-ups. Just as adults should do.
Every year.

My kids are 7 & 3.5 years old. I take them in every year.
And at certain ages still, there are booster shots etc., and certain per age things they check on.. like hearing/vision etc., weight, height, urine tests, TB shots, etc.
It is very important.

all the best,
Susan

Our son turned seven earlier this year and our pediatrician said with Kaiser he is now on a two-year schedule. I'm actually quite relieved at that. One less appt. to worry about. Our doctor is easily accessible via Kaiser's e-mail, so I just get questions answered that way unless it's an urgent health issue.

Every year for the rest of your life!

Every year 'til they're out of my house. Not just for our peace of mind, but the schools here require a statement of health every year, so we actually have to. Luckily, my kids are generally healthy and the visits are super short and go something like this: Doc: "Kids are growing well and look fine. Do you have any questions or concerns?" Me:"Nope." Doc: "Great! See you in a year!"

They need to go in every year