Fear of Pediatrician

Hi M.:

It sounds like a past life trauma. I can recommend a professional in that field. You may also consider scheduling a Flower Essence session for her. This form of wellness care addresses any emotional upset, past or present. My office can assist you with that.

You may visit my website and contact me if you are interested.

My best,
N.
Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
www.wholecreations.com/wombfull.html
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My daughter went through the same thing and it is very normal. I would try to get some books to read about going to the doctor. I also bought a little doctor's kit for her to play with and we would pretend that she was the doctor. It just takes time but try to be as supportive of her fear but trying to show her ways to gain some control such as reading and pretend play.

I think that rather than change doctors, try to get her to warm up to this one. My DD screamed through her whole visit at 12 months, in part because we were stuck waiting (flu season and all the shots took up time - I was livid by the time we got in). The next time, we were seen quickly, DD had had a nap, and she was much better. It may also help if YOU measure her head, you let them measure your head, etc. Maybe bring a teddy bear or doll for them to "check out". My DD didn't know what to think of Santa, but then figured if her doll liked him, he was okay. This is a time when stranger anxiety is pretty high in kids, so that factors, too. What time was the visit? Maybe after lunch or after a nap she might be better. I'm sure the doctor has seen screaming like that before. You might consider home videos to bring in to show the doctor her behavior when she's not freaked out. Frankly, I don't like doctors, either, but I'm too old to fuss like a toddler. ;)

My youngest daughter NEVER liked the Dr. She is now 7 and still gets apprehensive about going. I think it is normal for some kids to have this "fear" I have been through this with her. She used to cling to me, scream, etc. It wasnt easy, but she did outgrow it. I am sure your daughter will too, but I think changing Dr's over and over is going to be more upsetting to her than letting her get to know and get used to the Dr she is seeing -- unless you dont like them. Hang in there!

J.
www.mygc.com/jfiegl

She could be reacting to the change, it takes a few visits to adjust. If you like this doc then wait it out and see if it gets better. Also ask the doctor tatics that you can do to help your child in being calmer during a doc visit they can usually give you a few things to try for the next time.

I always let my daughter bring one of her favortie toys or stuffed animals to help her feel secure and in control. I usually say maybe the doc can check out the toy/stuffed animal first so we know if it is healthy. The doctor usually checks out the toy first to show what he/she will be doing and sometimes the doctor lets my daughter do the check up on the toy. This helps the child feel in control and in the know. Ask the doc to play along with this, I think most ped would do this.

Does the exam room have toys, if so distract your daughter with those, if they do not have toys bring our own. My daughter ped would ask her about the toys first instead of going right into the physical exam. Just getting your daughter to feel comfortable will help.

You could also go to the library and check out some doc books and read through them so your daughter feels more in the know of what is happening... I went to a book store and bought a few (doc, dentist, hospital collection).

My oldest was just terrible about pediatrician visits. I once asked the doctor how other children reacted. He said that he saw three basic groups of kids - those who were very passive and let him do what he needed to do without fuss, those who are nervous, but can be distracted, and then those like my daughter whose need to be in control is so strong that there is no distracting them. If that fits your daughter's personality as well, I seriously think that changing doctors won't help. This is the way it will be for awhile.

I tried everything - we have a book about going to the doctor, Elmo Goes to the Doctor DVD and a doctor kit...She was doing a little better with regular check-ups but then she had an ear infection and had to have a lot of wax removed from her ear and that experience set us back. Starting at age 3, I told her that if she could remain calm during the weighing/measuring and Dr's exam portion of the visit, then we could ride the carousel at the mall/have pizza for dinner...By that time she started seeing the nurse practicioner in the practice who has a personality that is a good fit with my daughter. But I think my daughter being older is the biggest reason things are better. I doubt this woman would have been able to work any magic with her at a younger age.

So hang in there and know that it does get better. It is quite annoying and almost embarassing along the way to getting better. I still have to make sure I have childcare her two sibling so I can take her to the doctor myself and be able to give her my full emotional support. I wish you all the best.

Hmm~ you have her in a newer environment. Make sure you just assure her, let her know you are there and keep a hand (arm,leg, whatever!) on her so she knows you will 'protect' her.

Sometimes shots cannot be avoided. Vaccines are rough, so I usually divide them up~ especially as they can really hit the system hard. (and I have a five year old now - so he knows what to expect as I am open and honest with him - always have been).

It does sound like it is a stage, in combination with the new place. Just stay calm and patient with her. Don't let your frustration come thru, as that will only add to her discomfort.

It should get better, but not many kids like the doctor. Sometimes they grow out of it, sometimes not.

I think it's the age. My daughter is the exact same way (she is 22 months). I think its because she associates the doctor's office with shots (I spread out her shots so most of our visits ended up with a shot). I agree with an earlier post about getting the "play" doctor's kit. It was the answer for us. She's still not thrilled but no more screaming when the doctor touches her, measures her head etc.) She calls the stethoscope the "doctor's necky" (for necklace) and will use it to check the doctor's chest.Definately worth a try. I got the fisher price one for like $10 bucks! Good luck!

Hi M.,
My son used to freak out, too. I used to think, "if he's crying this much on the scale, what will he do when they give him a shot?!?" The ped told me it was normal for his age and once he turns 3 he will be better. He is 2 & 1/2 now and we just had 5 trips to the ped in 3 wks (bronchitis, double ear infection, etc). He won't look at the dr during the exam and isn't thrilled to have them touching him, but there was minimal crying, and during some visits, no crying at all! It's a tough phase, but I believe that's all it is: a phase. I wouldn't switch drs at this point; consistently going to the same place and seeing the same people will help her get over her fear. Our dr is very good and she sits and talks with us while I hold my son, before she comes close enough to touch him. He has a chance to get used to her before she starts the actual exam, plus I get to ask questions during that time. Good luck!

My daughter started to dislike the pediatrician around 12 months and displays the same behaviors at the doctor's office. Her pediatrician expected it and says that most kids react that way at that age. She is now 21 months and still acts that way. I don't think it has anything to do with the doctor because ours is great. I've recently gotten some books about going to the doctor in hopes that it will help with our next visit.

You may want to wait a while before changing. My first daughter hated the doctor at that age. She remembered that she gets shots the second we went into the treatment room. Now she is 3 years old and it all passed. She loves her pediatrician now! Now I have another daughter and she is crying hysterically when we walk into the treatment room. She is 17 months right now. I am hoping that, like the first, it will pass by the time she is 3.

Good luck to you!

My daughter was the same way she would scream as soon as we entered the exam room. I think it really was about the sterile look of the room. What worked for her was the doctor actually had a little area with chairs just outside the exam room and he did a lot of his exam in that little waiting area (not the main waiting area but a side area). He also suggested and we did, come by on days that she didn't have an appointment just to get a lollipop (this was a reward at this practice in bowls outside the exam rooms). We did this several times when we were in the area to get her to associate something positive with the place. She was good until we went into the exam room but we were able to limit the discomfort to just when they absolutely needed to be in the room. When her brother came along and we had to come for him and she wasn't involved but just accompanying me, she got much better.

Here is something to try... buy a small stuffed animal. don't let your daughter see it. take it to your next appt. before the dr. or nurse comes in, hand them the animal and ask them to give it to your daughter.

Just a thought.
M.

Buy her a little doctor's kit! You can probably find one at any toy store or Walmart, and she will love it. My son was terrified of the doc as well so my mother-in-law bought him a doctor's kit that included a toy blood pressure monitor, stethoscope, thermometer, etc. We played with it a lot and the next time we went to the doc he was not scared! Give it a try!

If you like your current Dr. and stay with him. She might need more time to feel comfortable. Honestly, you child probably isn't the only one that freaks out when they see her, they should be experienced enough in making an assessment of her development nonetheless.

My daughter never liked the ped until I stopped undressing her for the check up. I just asked the doc if it was really necessary to get her naked for the weigh in and such - and she did not think so, so I just left her underwear on when she was weighed and measured.
The doctor usually takes a few minutes to play with her and show her all the cool instruments and lets her try them out on herself. That breaks the ice and now at two years, she actually likes to go!

I never get vaccines for her check ups, I make a separate appointment and get only one shot at a time. Our doctors office is so good at this, we are usually out of there before she even realizes what happened. While I do this for other reasons as well, I think that disconnecting the shots from our checkups was one of the best strategies for getting her less afraid of the pediatrician.
Good luck!

Hi M., I wouldn't change doctors. At this age, it's normal to be afraid of strangers. The doctor isn't someone she sees often enough to be comfortable with. Switching isn't going to help. She's not an infant anymore who will lie passively and let others just do things to her. She doesn't understand why these things are being done, they may be uncomfortable for her and she doesn't like to be restrained. Unfortunately, it's just a stage that you'll need to get through. At 18 months, she will not have a checkup for six months, and after that, only every year. Hopefully she'll have a healthy six months and perhaps be over this fear by the next time she visits the doctor. I wouldn't change doctors when you might not even need to see the doctor for six more months. Good luck