Your Children's Doctor's Visits: How to Make Them Go Smoothly

Are you like me and hate taking your children to the doctor? I hate waiting in the waiting room for a hundred hours, it feels like. Then when you finally go back to the room, you have to wait a couple hundred more hours. And, then finally, the doctor arrives. Here are some tips to help your doctor's visits go smoothly.

Have entertainment

At most pediatric practices, they have cartoons on the tv screens, which completely bore me. If you have a sleeping infant or toddler, what are you to do while they sit in their stroller? By the way, I encourage letting the child sit in a stroller or car seat. The other day when I went to the doctor I held my sleeping 3 month old daughter in my arms for over an hour in the waiting room. I thought my arms were about to fall off when I finally got up. She's pretty heavy. I encourage you to arm yourself with magazines or a long awaited book that you've wanted to read. Or chat with people that you've been meaning to call for the longest. Just make sure you do something, because you will get antsy. If your child is awake, then play, talk, read, or sing with your children. It can be a good bonding time for you.

Have confidence in your abilities as a parent

I have respect for doctors. But, oftentimes doctors can make you feel like what you are doing is wrong and what they say is always right. You have to have confidence in yourself as a parent. If your gut is telling you that you're doing something right, stick to it, even if the doctor may disagree. For instance, my daughter's skin is very sensitive and she had baby acne, and it was very dry. The doctor gave me a medicated cream to put on it. I was hesitant to put a medicated cream on her already sensitive face. So, I went with what my mom said to do, which a lot of people did with success. Keep applying a warm washcloth to her face each day, and rub a small amount of Vaseline on her face. He made me feel like I was insane to follow that ritual and should, instead use the medicated cream. I chose not to use it, and her face is glowing now.

The doctor then told me that I need to get her used to a bottle. My daughter won't take a bottle, she exclusively breastfeeds. He said, "How will you be able to leave her with anyone, if she won't take a bottle? You need to try to give her one each day, and get her used to taking a bottle." I simply looked at him. When my daughter is ready to take a bottle, she will. And she may not. And, I'm ok with my choice.

Soothe them for their shots

Holding or nursing your child, helps soothe them greatly while they get their shots. It provides immediate comfort for them. I hate shots, so I get very anxious while they get theirs. But, for my two kids, whenever I nursed them immediately after, their crying immediately stopped. So, I do that every time.

Going to the doctor does not have to be a completely dreadful event, if you go in prepared. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to a pleasant visit.