We had successfully completed the pediatrician check – up for the (already!) 18 month old Maya.
Before the visit, we usually receive a survey to complete. It’s best to fill it out online. This time we had been asked whether Maya jumps, runs, climbs, does she eat with a spoon, or does point at object, does she know a minimum of 4 words, is weaned off the bottle, how much does she drink milk, does she eat meat?
There were also questions detecting autism.
At the beginning of the visit, the nurse first weighs and measures the baby (I still ask for the measures in kilograms and centimeters). Then, a little while later, a doctor appears.
Maya’s doctor did not have any comments. Crying at night (wet diaper, hunger, nightmare?, it is great she goes back to sleep without milk or water, and she sleeps in her own crib in a room with her sister), tantrums of growing children, not eating all the fruits – this is the norm, there is nothing to worry about.
She asked which words Maya uses. There are actually quite a lot of them, and for now the majority are Polish, but also English like mine! no! up!
She showed us how Maya’s growth and weight looks on the growth charts. Maya is very tall, she almost doesn’t fit in those charts!
We can go to the dentist soon. Come back for a two year check up.
After the visit, I usually receive a hand-out, a few pages of tips for development at a given age. Remember daily reading of books, repeating words (not in baby talk), patience (it’s OK to sometimes feel frustrated). Remember about hats, sun protection, carbon dioxide detectors. There is a number given in case of domestic violence or food poisoning. Remember to spend time together as a family.
Remember- if you keep the gun at home, keep it away from the ammunition…
There are pediatric book recommendations to read (I do not know if you have time to read books).
Róża had her last check at three years. Her eyesight, hearing and communication were checked. At that time we had a problem with sucking fingers. Our doctor (other than Maya’s) somehow did not worry too much (I did say that she was doing better). I would however preferred her to say more firmly that something must be done about it, because when I saw photos from the Polish Saturday school, on which on each picture Różka sucked her finger, I wanted to do something right away. Dean came up with the idea of buying nail polish for people with a habit of biting the nails, and eureka, Róża (almost) does not suck her fingers anymore. It took me about 10 years to abandon this habit!
If we have further questions, I can also write to e-mail doctors and I will definitely get a helpful answer.
Vaccinations. Of course, without any hesitation, I agreed to all of them (including those against flu). In California ( and only in two other US states), vaccinations are mandatory. Since the measles outbreak caused in 2014 by not vaccinated kids visiting Disneyland, a very strict law was introduced.
Parents cannot, because of their own beliefs, not vaccinate children. There is a very high percentage of vaccinated children, but in some areas children are not vaccinated much more than it is safe.
I read in the LA Times article, that up to 10% of Californian kindergarten students are not vaccinated. Some receive a false, illegal medical release from vaccinations. Since the introduction of the law, the number of children enrolled in kindergarten with vaccination exemptions, has quadrupled!.
In one Berkeley school, Rose Waldorf School even up to 38% obtained these exemptions.
As a reward for staying immunized, Róża and Maya always get a sticker. And recently, a novelty in the clinic – children’s books are given out.
I would like to add that no pediatrician criticized me for giving children formula. In San Francisco we even got free bottles of such milk (formula is very expensive in the US, probably it was also an advertisement for a given brand of milk).
Last thing, TV. I do not like to switch it on for children, especially Maya. But sometimes I have no choice. The doctor did not care too much about it, she said that even her 9-month-old child also sometimes watches something, and when she is alone with her two children in the evening, the older son also sees something when he puts younger to bed. Limit to – 1-2 hours a day.
In an emergency situation, we have an ER clinic nearby, quite close to us. We used it several times. Fortunately, for non serious issues.
A long time ago I spoke to a French Mom who was not at all happy with her pediatrician experience (at the same clinic). Little rooms, a late doctor, little attention devoted to children annoyed her.
I like visiting the pediatrician. I leave with a new perspective on child development. I feel calmer, armed with new tips.
PS. Halloween went great. Rose even wanted to sleep with the sweets. So many children can to our door – Latinos, African Americans, Asians, Muslim mothers in headscarves, Indians, lesbians, single fathers (probably moms stayed home) with children, teenagers – all well dressed, it was great to take part in it. November the 1st is All Saint’s Day in Poland – unfortunately I have nowhere to light a candle on a family grave. The candies from Halloween were my sweet consolation.
Pictures from previous check-ups.