The Crib: A Blog for New Parents

Posted by pecuellar on 02/22/08 - 02:18 PM

Taking your child to the doctor can be nerve-wracking and stressful leading in many cases to breakdowns and long crying jags. It can also be difficult for your child. The doctor will take a long critical look at your child and ask lots of questions to decide if your child’s development is on track. The best you can do to ease the stress levels for everyone is to be prepared.

• You will be asked a ton of questions. Come prepared to answer questions like: How often is your child eating? How much is your child eating? Are they sleeping well? Do you have any concerns?
• You will be spending time in a waiting room. Bring entertainment for your young ones. Books and puzzles work well in this setting.
• Shots are inevitable. Bring your child’s favorite toy and a snack or bottle to ease their discomfort after their shots.
• Don’t take it personally. The doctor may notice something you didn’t. They are a trained professional and it is their job to notice things. You are not a bad parent just because you didn’t see it before.
• Don’t panic. Every child develops at their own pace, so if the doctor feels that your child is not hitting their milestone exactly that does not mean that there is definitely a problem. Give it some time and try not to obsess about it.
• Speak up. This is the ideal time to voice your concerns or seek the advice of your pediatrician. Everything from is my child ready for solids to potty training tips is fair game.

Although they can be stressful, checkups are critically important. Don’t skip checkups. Your child needs to be seen at the prescribed intervals.