Helping Your Child Cope with Doctor Visits

Going to the doctor can be a stressful time for a child, but you can help him get through it calmly and bravely.

Schedule appointments for a time when your toddler is well-rested

We all handle stress better when we are rested, and toddlers are no different. If your child is at his best first thing in the morning, make his appointments as early as possible. If your child takes a late-morning nap to recharge, schedule his doctor visits shortly after he normally wakes from that nap. Ensuring that your toddler is well-rested will make his doctor visit go much more smoothly.

Make sure your toddler is well-fed

Again, hunger can make stressful situations worse. Feed your toddler before heading to the doctor. Even if he eats only a small snack, he will feel better. Take snacks and a drink with you to the doctor's office (be sure to avoid messy foods) and offer them while you wait to be seen. A toddler with a full tummy is much more likely to be calm and cooperative than a hungry toddler.

Talk to your toddler about what is going to happen

Toddlers often don't like surprises, and if the doctor is a stressful place for your child, he will be upset and angry if he is unprepared. The morning of the appointment, tell him that he is going to see the doctor today, and that you will be right there with him. As you are getting ready to go, remind him again that he will see the doctor today.

Explain the doctor's different instruments to your toddler

Toddlers fear the unknown. If a strange person suddenly comes at him with a bright light on a cord, your child will understandably be a bit frightened. Most pediatricians will explain what they are doing as they do it, but just in case your pediatrician forgets, ask him to explain his instruments to your toddler before beginning the exam. He may even allow your child to listen to his heartbeat with the stethoscope, or touch some of the other instruments to lessen his fears. If your toddler is still frightened, have the doctor demonstrate on you, listening to your heartbeat, looking in your throat, and so on. Once your toddler sees that these instruments don't hurt you, he will be more comfortable allowing the doctor to examine him.

Take a lovey or offer other forms of comfort

It's generally not wise to take your child's favorite blanket everywhere with you, because it may get lost. However, if doctor visits are stressful for your toddler, he may benefit from hanging on to his favorite comfort item during the exam. If your child is breastfeeding, offer to nurse him before and after the exam to help him calm down. Now is not the time to expect your toddler to "be a big boy" - allow him to indulge in some comfort to get through the stress.

Praise your toddler for good behavior

Let your toddler know that you are proud of him for getting through the doctor visit. Point out how he didn't cry during the exam, how polite he was to the receptionist, how nicely he played with the other children in the waiting room. Even if your child doesn't behave like a perfect angel during the visit, focus on something good that he did and praise him for that. This praise will encourage good behavior at the next doctor visit and make him want to do even better the next time.