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Posts Tagged "Appointments"

21Apr2022

How To Comfort Your Child Before Their Doctor’s Appointment

It is not uncommon for your child to feel nervous before their doctor’s appointment. So, of course, your child is going to look to you for comfort. Use the following tips to comfort your child before their doctor’s appointment.

Give Them Warning Closer To The Appointment

It would be best if you did not wait to tell your child about their appointment at the last minute because they need time to process it. However, telling your child too far in advance may cause excessive worrying. It is best to let them know a few days before the appointment and be sure to use a positive tone to avoid upsetting your child.

Talk To Your Child About Their Fears

Children usually rely on a routine to know what they can expect out of their day, so your child may want to talk to you about their appointment to get an idea of what to expect. It is important to listen and let them know their feelings are valid. If you brush the conversation off, they may have a hard time discussing their fears with you in the future.

Be Clear and Truthful About Shots

Most children want to know if they are getting a shot at their appointment. Lying to your child may cause you to lose their trust. If your child is due for a shot, explain that it only hurts for a second. If you are unsure of the answer, tell them you can ask the doctor at the appointment. Regardless, you should reassure your child that you will be right there the whole time.

Let Them Bring A Favorite Toy

You can help your child get through their appointment by allowing them to bring one of their favorite toys to the office. The toy acts as a distraction while providing comfort to your child. Allowing your child to bring their favorite toy creates a positive experience on the day of their appointment.

Plan A Fun Activity For Afterward

It never hurts to give your child something to look forward to after their appointment. You may want to take them to the park or ice cream shop, or maybe you are planning an evening of movies or video games at home. The activity should be set in stone, even if your child has difficulty managing their anxiety.

If you are searching for a calm, friendly pediatrician for your child, check out Kids 1st Pediatrics.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
24Mar2022

How To Prepare For Your Child’s First Appointment With Their New Pediatrician

When taking your child to a new pediatrician, it never hurts to ensure you are fully prepared for the first appointment. You want to ensure it goes smoothly for everyone, especially your child.

Whether you are helping your child get through their first appointment or making sure you have everything you need, the following tips can help you prepare for your child’s first appointment with their new pediatrician.

Transfer Their Medical Records

Start by finding out what you need to do to transfer their medical records to the new office. You may be able to download and print them out using the patient portal of their previous pediatrician. Otherwise, you can always obtain a copy in person. It is easier for their new pediatrician to view your child’s medical history when they have a copy of their medical records.

Fill Out The Necessary Paperwork

You may need to fill out paperwork when moving to a new office. The paperwork may include your contact information, family’s medical history, and recent vaccinations. You may be able to download a packet instead of filling it out at the office, which can save you a lot of time and stress.

Talk To Your Child

It is not uncommon for your child to feel nervous before their appointment with a new pediatrician. When discussing the appointment, be sure to listen and reassure your child. They need to know their feelings are valid and that you are keeping them safe. If possible, find out if you and your child can tour the office in advance.

Bring A Comfort Item

You should also allow your child to bring a comfort item to their appointment. This may include their favorite toy or book. What seems like a simple item to you may help them to feel safe and secure. Their new pediatrician may even mention the comfort item as a way to break the ice with your child.

Check-In For The Appointment Online

There is a good chance the office is going to allow you to check-in for the appointment through the patient portal or text message. It is best to take the opportunity to check in early if it is presented to you. This way, you can save time on the day of the appointment because you have already taken care of this step.

If you are looking for a new pediatrician for your child, look no further than the friendly, professional staff at Kids First Pediatrics. You can find more information and contact the staff by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
26Jan2021

How to Get Your Teenagers Interested in Their Own Health Care

While you were intimately involved in the health care of your infant, toddler, and elementary school-age child, the teenage years are the beginnings of independence in many areas of your child’s life. One of the most important areas to consider is health care, which is a major determinant of quality of life for the rest of your child’s life. Not only can you model your own healthy habits, but also you can take some of the following steps to give your child the confidence that he will need to make his own wise decisions over the years.

Let Children Talk on Their Own to Their Physicians

One of the first things you can do is to stop answering all of the doctor’s questions about your child on your own. Instead, encourage your child to speak up while you are still in the room. Eventually, such as around the age of 14 or 15, you can even leave the room to give your child more privacy. The more your child practices this, the more confident he will feel about discussing any type of medical concern he has.

Let Children Know More About Their Diagnoses or Medications

Now is the time to discuss any chronic illnesses with which your child is currently living. Talk about symptoms that your child could experience, tips for keeping symptoms in check, and medications that he is taking. Teenagers love to do their own research online. Direct them to reputable health care sites that will give them accurate information.

Have Older Teenagers Make Their Own Appointments

Once children are in the later teenage years, they should be able to make their own doctor appointments. This will let them choose times that work best for them. In addition, they should get practice in filling their own prescriptions following appointments. Let them know that they can ask pharmacists any questions they have about their prescriptions.

It is important that your children feel good about going to doctor’s visits and receiving appropriate screenings, vaccinations and checkups from a young age so that they retain this confidence as they grow older. Consider partnering with a physician from Kids 1st Pediatrics who works solely with children. We can address numerous types of childhood illnesses and pediatric chronic diseases along with well-child visits, school physicals, and much more.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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