When it’s time to take your children in for well-child checkups in Maplewood, you’ll want to do what you can to make it a positive experience. Infants and young children may not know what to expect, leaving them feeling apprehensive and uncertain. You can reduce the anxiety they feel by helping them prepare for the visit ahead of time.
Call Ahead
A day or more before you’re scheduled for the office visit, set aside time to call the doctor’s office. You can ask their staff what you should expect from the visit, such as what equipment will be used and how many vaccines will be administered. It would help if you also asked for suggestions they have to help your child feel more comfortable.
Don’t Surprise Your Child
It would help if you didn’t spring the news of a doctor’s visit on your child minutes before leaving for the appointment. Instead, tell them about it and explain that everyone gets well-child checkups in Maplewood, MN. You should also be open to answering their questions honestly. Just avoid using terms that might frighten them, such as mentioning the word pain in any context. Simply explain that the doctor wants to make sure they’re healthy and leave it at that.
Demonstrate the Checkup
You can also use one of your child’s dolls or a drawing to show how the doctor will examine them. Show how their temperature will be taken and how the doctor will listen to their heart. Once they see that the checkup won’t be too scary and they know what to expect, they will feel better about going.
If it’s time for your child’s checkup and you need a new pediatrician, find out why you should trust Pediatric And Young Adult Medicine.
