Does your child have a fear of going to the doctor? He or she may associate trips to the doctor's office with getting vaccinations that sometimes cause a bit of discomfort. Your child may feel anxious and upset when it comes time to take him or her to see the doctor for a routine checkup. Instead of putting off visits because you know your child gets so worked up, there are some things you could do to put your child's mind at ease about visiting the doctor.
Go to a Family Health Clinic
If you want to ease your child's fears of the doctor, why not make sure the entire family goes together? Before getting his or her checkup, you could make sure the doctor does a checkup on you and your significant other beforehand. Your child might start to feel more comfortable during a physical after seeing mom or dad go through the same steps. Not only is it a great way to make your child feel more comfortable at the doctor's office, but it is a great way to bond as a family. You can all receive quality healthcare at the same place.
Use Television Shows, Books and Toys as Resources
Some children are naturally afraid of going to the doctor's office, but certain shows, books, and toys could be used as resources to show your little one that there is really nothing to be afraid of at all. For example, Doc McStuffins is a cartoon series in which the main character is a young girl who acts like a doctor while taking care of her toys and making sure they feel better. Your little one may start to understand the concept of going to the doctor's office and getting routine checkups because it is beneficial for his or her health.
Along with watching episodes of Doc McStuffins before a visit, you may want to read a book to your child about not being scared to visit the doctor because the doctor is there to help. There are many kid-friendly books about doctor's visits available online and in book stores, but you may be able to find some at your local library for free. There are even a few different toys that you could buy for your child to play with, such as a doctor kit that comes with a fake stethoscope, bandages, and other doctor-related supplies.
If your little one always gets worked up about going to the office, look at this site and contact local pediatricians to ask for more advice.
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