If your child is scared of doctors’ visits, you’re not alone — half of parents with preschool-aged children share this experience. Whether kids remember getting a shot or simply have stranger anxiety, many become uncomfortable, fearful, or visibly distraught before and during medical appointments. The good news? There are several steps you can take to ease this anxiety.
See Dr. Jaxel Lopez-Sepulveda at Clinica Tu Salud in Irving, Texas, to schedule your child’s next pediatric visit.
Many kids who are afraid of doctors fear shots. Younger children often receive more frequent vaccinations than older children, which can be a primary cause of distress related to pediatric appointments.
Some children also fear new people, places, or familiar experiences. Others have bad memories associated with being sick.
There are numerous ways to help your child overcome their fear of going to a doctor’s office.
Find a pediatric provider who is caring and makes your child feel at ease during visits. Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda’s compassionate, friendly, playful demeanor helps children feel right at home and even look forward to their visits with him.
Let your child know what to expect during their appointment and the importance of going. Talk with your kids about what will happen at the doctor’s office and why going helps them to stay healthy or feel better when they’re sick.
Create fun activities at home linked to doctor’s appointments to put your child at ease at their next visit. Buy a toy medical kit for your child, and play make-believe doctor and patient at home.
You might also watch a show or read a book with your child that demonstrates a friendly doctor or nurse helping another child.
Hugging or holding your child during their appointment is often comforting. We can complete many portions (sometimes all) of an exam with your child sitting in your lap if it makes them feel at ease and less afraid of examinations, shots, or other treatments.
Make going to the doctor a fun experience by doing things your child enjoys during their visit. For example, read a book to your child, have them listen to music, sing with your child, or allow them to watch a kid-friendly video or movie on your phone in the Clinica Tu Salud waiting and exam rooms.
As part of your child’s doctor’s visit routine, establish a reward after each appointment. That way, your child has something to look forward to and will associate fun experiences with doctors. For example, go out for ice cream, shop at a dollar store for a new toy, or head to the park or another fun place after each doctor’s visit.
Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda determines how often to schedule pediatric doctor’s appointments based on your child’s age and health history. It’s beneficial to schedule wellness checkups yearly starting at age 3 and more often for younger children (about seven checkups during the first year of life to ensure proper growth and development).
You can schedule a visit anytime your child becomes injured, ill, needs a flu shot, or develops new or unusual symptoms.
Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda also offers comprehensive men’s health and women’s health services, immigration physicals, blood work, other on-site labs, intravenous (IV) therapy, and more.
Schedule an anxiety-free pediatrics doctor’s visit with Dr. Lopez-Sepulveda at Clinica Tu Salud by contacting us today by phone or requesting an appointment online.
