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Category "Pediatrics"

19Aug2022

Tips For Scheduling A Pediatrician Appointment For Your Toddler

Getting your toddler to sit still at the pediatrician’s office is not always easy. When you add in feeling tired or hungry with a toddler who may already feel nervous, you have a recipe for disaster.

The time of your toddler’s appointment can make a huge difference in their experience, so here are several tips for scheduling a pediatric appointment for your toddler.

Avoid Scheduling For Naptime or Mealtime

It is best to avoid scheduling your toddler’s appointment during their nap time or mealtime. Your little one cannot take a full nap or eat lunch in the waiting room, and this could result in a very unhappy toddler. When you schedule their appointment, talk to the receptionist about what times you need to leave open. They may have an opening that fits your toddler’s schedule.

Prepare Your Toddler In Advance

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to schedule an appointment around your toddler’s nap time or mealtime. In this case, it is best to prepare your toddler for the appointment in advance. If your toddler’s appointment is during nap time, you may want to put them to bed earlier the night before to ensure they are well-rested. If their appointment is during lunchtime, it may help to pack a few healthy snacks.

Keep Your Toddler Occupied

Your toddler may be cranky because they are tired or hungry, or they may simply feel nervous about their appointment. It helps to bring their favorite toy or book as a form of comfort. Another idea is to load their favorite television show on your phone or tablet to keep them occupied, but be sure to bring headphones or keep it at a low volume.

Ask About The Less-Busy Days

It never hurts to ask the receptionist about scheduling an appointment on a day that is not as busy. This way, you do not have to worry about your toddler feeling overwhelmed by a packed waiting room. It also makes it possible to get in and out of the appointment quickly because of the shorter wait time. You can also save time by checking in online before the appointment.

Try To Get The First Appointment

You can also ask the receptionist if there are any days with the first appointment available. While you may need to get up earlier than desired for this appointment, you do not have to wait for any patients to be seen before your toddler. This means you can head home by the late morning or early afternoon, which is perfect for avoiding an appointment during nap time and mealtime.

When you are ready to schedule your toddler’s next appointment with the pediatrician, check out Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can learn more about this practice at kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
22Jul2022

Ideas For Keeping Your Children Occupied At The Pediatrician’s Office

Whether you have an anxious or bored child, keeping them occupied while at the pediatrician can help the appointment go smoothly. Luckily, there are several ways to keep children from getting fussy or restless while in the waiting room. Use the following ideas to keep your children occupied at the pediatrician’s office.

Stimulation

What better way to keep your children occupied than with mental stimulation? You can provide an activity book with mazes, word searches, brain-teasers, or Sudoku puzzles, or you can bring a wooden puzzle, Rubik’s Cube, shape sorter, or sensory toys to the appointment. The stimulation you provide depends on your children’s ages, but these activities keep them occupied while improving their focus and problem-solving skills.

Reading

You can also allow your children to read while in the waiting room. Most waiting rooms provide books and magazines for children, but you can also bring reading material from home. If your children are still learning to read, use this time to help them brush up on their reading skills.

Toys

It never hurts to bring a few small toys to keep them occupied as they wait for their appointment. A stuffed animal or action figure may be enough to keep them busy, or you can bring travel games such as magnetic Tic-Tac-Toe and handheld Simon. It is best to choose a toy or game that does not encourage loud noise.

Screen Time

Another idea is to provide a little screen time with a tablet or handheld video game. Then, your child can focus on their favorite show or game while they wait for their pediatrician. They may even be excited to tell their pediatrician about the show or game. Of course, you also want to provide headphones to keep from disturbing other patients.

Chatting

There is nothing like chatting with your children as you wait for their appointment. You may want to tell jokes, riddles, or stories to keep them laughing, or you can use this time to discuss the week, upcoming events, or fond memories. Chatting with your children keeps them occupied while giving you a chance to bond.

Whether you are telling jokes or providing screen time, remember to use your indoor voice or headphones as needed. You may be sharing the waiting room with other families.

When you are ready to schedule an appointment for your child, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can schedule an appointment at kids1stpediatrics.net

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
15Jul2022

Benefits of Visiting The Office Before Scheduling Your Child’s Pediatrician Appointment

There are many pediatric offices that allow you to schedule a tour in advance. This way, you can determine if this is the right office for your child. If you are unsure of this step, here are several benefits of touring the office before scheduling your child’s pediatrician appointment.

Check Out The Distance

If you found information on the office through word of mouth or an online search, scheduling a tour gives you the chance to see how far it is from your home. You may need an office that is less than 30 minutes away, or maybe you want to see what traffic is like on the way to and from the office.

Get A Glimpse Of The Office

Scheduling a tour gives you the chance to check out the office in advance. You want to ensure it is a clean, healthy place for your child. It is also not uncommon to want an inviting atmosphere, as opposed to an office that causes your child to feel uncomfortable. In addition, you want to ensure your child is not going to have any sensory issues at this office.

Opportunity To Meet The Staff

A tour also gives you the opportunity to meet everyone on the staff. You can ensure the staff, nurses, and pediatricians are friendly, patient, and reliable. Of course, you can also watch your child interact with their potential pediatrician. Some patients and doctors are not a good match, so you want to keep an eye on their interaction before scheduling an appointment.

Address Questions and Concerns

This is also a great time to address any questions or concerns regarding your child’s possible appointment. For example, do they know how to calm an anxious child? How do they approach scary procedures? It is important to let your child address their questions and concerns as well. Your child is the one who is going through the appointment, so you want to allow them to talk to their pediatrician as needed.

Ease Your Child’s Mind

Visiting the office and meeting the staff in advance can ease your child’s mind. After all, they may be nervous about visiting a new pediatrician. Visiting the office can ease your mind as well, especially if you are worried about taking your child to a new office. A tour gives you and your child an idea of what to expect when it is time for their appointment.

If you are looking for a trustworthy pediatrician for your child, check out Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can find more information on this office by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
11Jun2022

How To Get Your Children Out The Door In Time For Their Doctor’s Appointment

It is not always easy to get your children out the door for a doctor’s appointment. If you have several children, you may find they are distracted by toys, games, or bickering. Luckily, a little organization can go a long way in getting everyone on the same page. Use the following tips to get your children out the door in time for their doctor’s appointments. 

Create A Morning Plan

Creating a plan for the morning before the appointment can make a difference in running late and having several minutes to spare. Your plan may include getting the kids dressed and packing a bag of essentials. It is important to let your children know of the plan in advance. For example, let them know you are planning to leave the house by 9:30 a.m., no exceptions.

Prepare The Night Before

You can save time by preparing the night before their appointment. Lay their clothes out and pack a bag of essentials in advance. If you are allowing your child to bring a comfort item, remind them to choose their item before bedtime. You may want to pack their comfort item right away unless it is an item they sleep with at night.

Check-In For Appointments Online

There are many practices that allow you to check-in online as early as the night before the appointment. You can usually check in through the patient portal, application, or link sent via text. When you check in online in advance, you have more time to get them ready for their appointment.

Focus On Getting Ready

It is easy for children and adults to become distracted by the television, social media, or last-minute chores. However, you need to focus on getting everyone ready for their appointment. This means shutting off the television, putting your phone in your pocket, and saving the chores for later.

Leave A Few Minutes Early

If your children are ready to head out the door five minutes before the time you gave them, consider leaving a few minutes early. This way, you have more time to get them in the car, fill your car with gas if needed, and avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Heading out the door by a certain time can be a challenge for any family. If you create a plan, prepare in advance and focus on getting ready, you can get your children out the door in time for their doctor’s appointment.

When you are ready to schedule an appointment with a friendly pediatrician, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can learn more about this practice by checking out kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
4Jun2022

What To Do and Not To Do When Preparing Your Child For The Pediatrician

It is not uncommon for children to feel scared or anxious before their doctor’s appointment. The fear of shots, a new pediatrician, or the unknown is a lot for a child.

You may be looking for a way to prepare your child for the appointment, but you want to ensure you do not make them feel worse. The following guide features tips on what to do and what not to do when preparing your child for the pediatrician.

What To Do When Preparing Your Child For The Pediatrician

The following tips can help you prepare your child for the pediatrician without escalating the situation.

Consider The Timing

Scheduling their appointment at the wrong time is a recipe for disaster, even if they are not afraid of the pediatrician. You should never schedule their appointment during mealtime or nap time, or you may wind up with a cranky, fussy child.

Talk To Your Child

Once you schedule the appointment, talk to your child about it to address any questions or concerns. Your child needs comfort and reassurance about the appointment, but they also need to know their feelings are valid.

Use Simple Words

Use simple words when discussing the appointment with your child. Using the wrong words or phrases may increase their anxiety. For example, let them know the pediatrician is going to see how much they have grown.

What Not To Do When Preparing Your Child For The Pediatrician

There are certain things you should not do when preparing your child for the pediatrician. The following actions can make the situation worse for you and your child.

Dismiss Their Feelings

You should never dismiss your child’s feelings when talking to them about the appointment. Listen to what your child has to say, and let them know you will be by their side the whole time.

Use Scary Words

Using scary words is a sure way to make your child feel scared or anxious about the appointment. Avoid any words or phrases related to the equipment or procedure, especially shots.

Lie About The Appointment

Do not surprise your child with the appointment at the last minute, and do not lie about where you are going on the day of the appointment. You also want to avoid lying about whether your child needs a shot.

If you are looking for a caring, professional pediatrician for your child, look no further than Kids 1st Pediatrics. Schedule an appointment for your child by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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