Preparing Your Little One for a Doctor Visit

We know that as a parent, you want to help your little ones grow healthy and strong. Part of that effort includes taking them to annual wellness visits and follow-up appointments as needed. However, younger children can often feel nervous about visiting the doctor.

You can rest assured that we’re here to help you prepare your child for their doctor visit. Keep reading to learn how to talk through your child’s fears, help them know what to expect from their visit and how to choose the right doctor.

Why Our Little Ones Worry

When you tell your child they’re going to the doctor, it’s normal for them to worry. While every child is unique, common worries that kids feel before visiting the doctor are:

• Pain: It’s common for children to fear experiencing pain while at the doctor, whether it’s from a shot or other medical examinations.
• Separation: Young children may worry about being separated from their parent during the visit. However, as they grow older, they experience less separation anxiety and more independence.
• Sickness: Some children may only associate the doctor with illness, leading them to think something is wrong.
• The doctor: Many children aren’t comfortable with unknown grown-ups, even if it’s a doctor who’s there to help. They may fear various medical tools, like stethoscopes, that the doctor uses.
• The unknown: Most children are unfamiliar with the doctor’s office and routine medical examinations performed in the office. It can be overwhelming for them to be in this new environment and fear what may happen.

It’s important to validate your children’s fears about visiting the doctor. However, be sure to encourage them and help calm their nerves. One of the best things you can do for your child is help them feel seen, heard and cared for.

Preparing for the Visit

Before your child’s appointment, it’s a good idea to have the essentials ready, like the address of the doctor’s office, your insurance information, driver’s license, pharmacy address and a list of any medications your child takes. It’s also important to prepare a list of questions for the doctor before the visit. General questions to ask your child’s doctor before a wellness visit are:

• Is my child at a healthy height and weight for their age?
• Is my child growing well?
• What are the recommended vaccines for my child, and what are their side effects?
• What abnormal signs and symptoms should I remain mindful of?

If your child has specific health concerns, share their symptoms with their pediatrician and ask about diagnosis, recommended treatment options and potential side effects.

How to Talk to Your Child About the Doctor

Preparing your kids for a doctor visit begins with learning how to help them communicate their fears and questions. It’s completely normal for your child to be wary of the doctor. Instead of immediately telling them everything will be OK, encourage them to share their thoughts with you. This open dialogue helps your child learn to address their fears and helps build a deeper trust in your relationship. It’s important that you don’t dismiss their feelings; rather, validate them and meet them where they are.

Once your child has expressed their fears, it’s your turn to comfort and support them. Start by explaining to them why they’re going to the doctor. It helps if you communicate about the appointment in a positive way, sharing the benefits it brings. If your child is going for a wellness visit, explain that to them and tell them what they can expect in age-appropriate language. Children will feel less afraid if they know what to expect.

If you’re visiting the doctor for a specific health concern, it’s important that you communicate about the visit in neutral language and provide a lot of reassurance. Try to explain to your little one that going to the doctor is a good thing because it will help them feel better. Portraying the visit as a pleasant experience will help reduce their anxiety and help them to feel a sense of purpose behind the appointment.

Involve Your Child

In your efforts to explain what your child can expect from the appointment, consider involving them in the process. If you’re visiting the doctor because your child feels sick, ask them to help list their symptoms. For those with older children, you could ask them to help you come up with some questions to ask the provider. Doing this helps them feel a sense of ownership of the appointment.

If your child is younger, it may help to talk about the appointment during playtime; doing this will help take away some of the fear. You could even try role-playing with your child, demonstrating parts of the visit, like the blood pressure exam. Be sure to use positive language and make it fun, highlighting the benefit of visiting the doctor.

Choosing the Right Doctor

We understand choosing a doctor for your child can be challenging. You want a doctor who provides exceptional care while simultaneously connecting with your little one in a gentle and approachable way. It’s very important that you and your child feel comfortable with the doctor. If you have friends or family in the area, ask for their experience and doctor recommendations. You can also read about our AdventHealth pediatricians on their biography page, including their approach to care. This gives you and your family the ability to choose the provider who’s right for your child and their specific needs and gives you an idea of who the provider is before the appointment.

World-Class Care Dedicated to Your Little One

Helping your child mentally prepare for a doctor visit can be difficult, but you aren’t alone. Our expert pediatricians are on your side, dedicated to providing kid-friendly care for your little ones. We know your child’s health care is a top priority — it is for us, too.

Visit us here to learn more about our pediatric care services or schedule an appointment. We’ll be right by your side through every milestone.