Scheduled examination at the clinic and such medical procedures as injections, vaccinations, instillation in the nose with a drop are not the most pleasant events in children's life. It is not surprising that many children, seeing a snow-white robe, cry, scream, and in the doctor’s office they arrange a real tantrum. What to do if the baby is afraid of doctors? How to help your child overcome this fear? We have selected for you simple, but tested by mothers and psychologists recommendations.
Long corridors, many doors leading to mysterious rooms in which strict aunts in white are sitting, buzzing devices, incomprehensible words exchanged between mother and doctor ... You must admit that such an atmosphere does not add a bit of optimism.
Do not rush to be upset - if the baby is prepared and behaved correctly with him in the clinic, it will turn out to forget both anxiety and hysteria. But first, let’s try to figure out where the “legs grow” from such a fear.
Fear of doctors - where does it come from?
Children under the age of one year encounter medical workers constantly - monthly examinations, numerous tests and routine vaccinations are a “compulsory program”. Thanks to the features of their memory, unpleasant moments are quickly forgotten. Another thing is kids older than a year. Where does this phobia come from?
- Psychologists say that the fear of doctors is a completely natural reaction of a little man. By the age of two, most children have a fear of strangers, especially if earlier their social circle was limited only to households. It is not surprising that the baby begins to cry if someone else’s aunt doctor touches him.
- Often children start to get scared of pediatricians and medical procedures after they have been given an injection or blood taken from their fingers without warning. Negative experience is a source of anxiety.
Sometimes parents themselves intimidate their child: “If you are capricious, I’ll call the doctor with a huge syringe. He will give you an injection of harm. ” It is not surprising that after such threats, the baby will startle at the sight of a “villain,” who, in his opinion, does not heal, but does “bo-bo”.- Often, adults try to deceive the child, saying that it will not hurt. Some irresponsible mothers do not explain to the last where they lead the baby. And entering the hospital, they say that they came only for help, between cases taking him to the treatment room.After such a “betrayal,” children are not only afraid of doctors, but also stop believing in their mothers.
- The child has not yet formed his own attitude towards other people, so he looks at parental behavior. Does your father speak negatively about dentists? This means that the crumbs also should bypass dental offices. Is the mother wary of injections? Hence, he also needs to be wary.
- Unfortunately, not every pediatrician cares what mood the child will leave his office. And not every nurse reassures the baby before an injection. Therefore, even the most harmless manipulations sometimes end in stress for children.
Video answer why children are afraid of doctors
Recommendations of child psychologists
So, the reasons have been identified, now it remains to find out what to do if your little one is afraid of doctors. According to experts, the choice of “medicine” depends on the age of the young patient.
If the baby is 1 year old: we warn fears
One-year-old children are usually not afraid of medical examinations, but they are sensitive to any physical inconvenience: unfamiliar surroundings, vanity and noise, a loud voice of a stranger, pain. How to relieve psychological stress and prevent the appearance of a phobia?
- Don't lose your temper
Thanks to a strong emotional connection, the baby perfectly understands his mother's condition, and any nervousness is transmitted to him instantly. Keep calm, do not infect it with negative feelings, and if unrest cannot be avoided, ask your grandmother or father to take him to the clinic.
- Plan your visit time
You must follow the usual daily routine. Hungry or sleepy children are unlikely to be delighted with a medical examination. Also, do not try to go through all the specialists at one time, otherwise the baby will get tired and naughty.
- Let the baby get used to the room
Try to come to the hospital in advance, take a walk along the corridor, avoiding crying peers. Find something fascinating (bright posters, flowers in pots), then the time in the line will fly by.
- Do not rush with treatment
Upon entering the office, introduce the child to the pediatrician: “Look, this is Aunt Katya. She is very kind and affectionate. You will make friends with her! ” Hold the baby in your arms, stroking the back and head - at this age, touch is important. Try to distract the rattle if it is about to cry.
- Call a doctor at home
If the children are categorically unwilling to visit the clinic, use the services of a paid doctor. Invite him home, ask him not to put on “scary clothes” before the examination and play a little with the baby in the nursery.
If children are 2 years old: reduce nervousness
Older children need to explain why they visit the doctor. If your child develops a positive attitude towards health workers, he will not be afraid of hospitals.
- Be honest with children
You can’t deceive the baby - just tell the truth, because it’s not the pain that scares him, but what he doesn’t know. For example, do not claim that the doctor will only listen to him if the vaccine is actually coming. Otherwise, the next time the child refuses to leave the apartment, even if you just need to get a certificate.
- Take a toy
Try to distract from unpleasant thoughts by buying a baby a new exciting toy or book. You can move away from strict rules for a while and allow playing with your tablet or mobile phone.
- Do not compare with others
In the line in front of the office door, this phrase often sounds: “Look, that boy is brave, sits quietly and does not disgrace his mother.” The baby may think that he is bad and not worthy of mother's love. To calm the coward, tell: “When you were a little younger, you were not at all afraid of vaccinations. Even the aunt-nurse said that you are very brave. ”
- Don't expect good behavior
Do not require the baby to observe etiquette - say hello to the doctor and behave "like an adult." Let him look around in his office, get used to a stranger. If the child is frightened and cries, you can not swear and spank on the pope.Hug and try to calm the roaring child.
If the child is 3 years old: get rid of fears
Unfortunately, it also happens that, despite all the measures taken, three-year-old children still tremble at the sight of a medical uniform. What to do in such cases?
- Explain what medical procedures are for.
It is necessary to tell what awaits the child in the office, for which this or that medical manipulation is necessary. For example: “Vaccination will help you not get sick. A blood test will tell the doctor how you are sick. A dentist will save you from toothache and make your teeth healthy. ” Your explanation will help children be more tolerant of treatment.
- Present a first-aid kit for children
Buy a toy kit with medical instruments: syringes, stethoscopes and warmers. For the role of patients, take a doll and a teddy bear who need to feel their tummies, examine their throats, and take blood for analysis. As the game progresses, suggest how to carry out various procedures, and together rejoice at the “recovered” toys.
- Use a fairy tale therapy
Before visiting the hospital, watch cartoons about the doctor, medicines: “About the hippo who was afraid of vaccinations”, “Tari bird”. Young children are especially fond of the fairy tale about the good Aibolit, which helps sick animals. Be sure to answer all your questions.
- Promise a reward for courage
Psychologists usually strongly disagree with the fact that parents try to get their children to behave with the help of "bribery". The only exceptions are visits to doctors. The kid must be sure that his courage will be rewarded - not necessarily a toy or sweetness, but, for example, a trip to an amusement park.
- Let me cry
A strict taboo on tears can cause a backlash. Let the baby cry, it will be a good emotional discharge. Tell us that you perfectly understand his fear, but you need to be patient a little. Never be ashamed of fear and anxiety - phrases such as “men don’t cry”, “you are already big” should be excluded.
The child is afraid of the dentist - what to do?
Sometimes children are wary of a certain doctor - most often, a dentist. In this case, it is difficult to talk not only about the treatment of diseased teeth, but also about preventive observation. How to make friends with your baby dentist?
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- Choose a doctor on the recommendation - ask your friends and acquaintances in which specialized children's clinic they treat children.
- Come to the first appointment as an excursion. Ask the doctor to demonstrate to the crumbs his office, tools, allow him to sit in an armchair.
- You should not focus on unpleasant sensations, going with a child to the dentist. And at the same time, you can’t say that the dentist will not do anything at all - this is not true.
- Do not try to cure several teeth in one visit - the baby will not stand in the dental chair for more than 15 minutes and is squeamish.
- Tell us that you will always be with your child and you will surely come to his aid if necessary.
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Video: How to teach a child not to be afraid of a dentist?
Experienced Parent Tips
Each mom is a psychologist herself, so we decided to find out what those parents did in whose families small cowards grow up, categorically refusing to contact the pediatrician.
Eugene, mother of two-year-old Danila: “My son in exactly the same situation helped the following. We changed the local doctor to a paid one and brought for examination not a child, but a beloved teddy bear. The doctor quickly understood what was happening, carefully “treated” the bear, and only then proceeded to Danka.Since then, we sincerely go to the good aunt to treat ... a bear. ”
Elizabeth, mother of 4-year-old Katie: “With us, this problem has become less acute with age. We often read about Aibolit; we bought a daughter a doctor’s kit (injections, tubes, thermometers). At the reception I try not to worry and calmly talking with the doctor. And when we are going to the clinic, I’m sure to say what they will do there and that it will practically not hurt. ”
Anna, mother of three-year-old Diana: “We had a similar situation ... My daughter just squealed when she saw a man in a white coat. But one day they came to a dentist who could make friends with her, and Diana didn’t cry at all. And at home she even asked: “When are we still going to pull out our teeth?” You can meet such wonderful doctors! ”
We hope that the simple recommendations of specialists and parents will certainly help you save your baby from the fear of doctors and turn an unpleasant trip to a clinic into a regular regular event. Be healthy!
Video plot: how to make the child stop being afraid of doctors
Specialists of the Kemerovo Children's Multidisciplinary Hospital have developed their methodology and successfully implement it:
I taught my child to doctors through the use of games in the hospital, the doctor, I read many tales about doctors, well, I didn’t refuse the reinforcement method, often I just had to distract the child when he became uncomfortable. The article indicates good methods of depriving a child of fear of doctors.
While my son was not a year old, he was not afraid of a single doctor. Without tears, even blood donated. He smiled at all the doctors. Now he began to understand more, and is already wary of strangers aunts and uncles. To distract the baby, I take with him his favorite toys, books. And after receiving a doctor, I give him some goodies.