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Posts Tagged "Children"

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.

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.

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.

Pediatrics
28Apr2022

What To Consider When Choosing A Pediatrician For Your Child

There is more to choosing a pediatrician for your child than just finding the nearest office. First, you want to ensure the pediatrician is a good match for your family. This way, you have peace of mind whenever it is time to visit the pediatrician. To help you get started, here are several things to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your child.

Insurance

The first thing you should consider is the network of pediatricians that accept your insurance plan. Imagine finding a pediatrician and realizing they do not accept your insurance. Luckily, there are many pediatricians who are flexible on what type of insurance plans they accept.

Credentials

It is also important to consider the experience and credentials of each pediatrician. You also want to ensure they are properly trained and certified to work in the healthcare industry. Of course, you should also ensure they know how to remain friendly and patient when providing care to children who are nervous or fussy.

Communication

When choosing a pediatrician, it never hurts to read the reviews to determine their communication skills. If you see too many reviews stating that it is difficult to reach the pediatrician, it is best to skip to the next pediatrician on your list. You do not want a pediatrician who never communicates as needed.

Location

You also want to think about how far you are willing to travel for your child’s appointments. It is also important to keep your mode of transportation in mind. When searching through directories, you can narrow down your search to pediatricians who are closer to your preferred location.

Recommendations

It is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from family, friends, teachers, and other parents or educators. They may be able to recommend a friendly, reliable pediatrician who accepts your insurance plan. Once you have a list of recommendations, be sure to do your research before settling on a pediatrician.

You can also contact the office to ask if you can schedule a free visit to meet the staff. This way, you can determine if the pediatrician is a good match based on their interaction with your child. It also allows you to determine if the office itself is a good place for your family.

If you are looking for a trustworthy pediatrician for your child, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can learn more about the office and schedule an appointment.

Pediatrics
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.

Pediatrics
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