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Necessary Needles
8 Steps Parents Can Take to Minimize the Pain By Carma Haley Shoemaker
One of the most common and easiest ways to ease a child's fear is to allow them to build a relationship or a friendship with their doctor. Just as the child trusts you and knows you would not hurt him on purpose, he can also apply this knowledge to his new "friend."
"Rapport between the child and doctor is an excellent way to calm the fears of a 2-year-old or 3-year-old child," says Dr. Zempsky. "This is not always easy or possible if a child has stranger anxiety, but can be done with a little encouragement from Mom and Dad. If the physician maintains a friendly, open, fun demeanor he or she is more likely to gain the child's trust. The avoidance of a white coat and the addition of singing, playing and joking may help to win the child over. Most pediatricians are more than happy to comply if asked. However, it is important not to rush into the encounter, but to slowly gain the child's confidence. Perhaps a few visits should take place beforehand to allow the child to become comfortable. Slow and steady is the best way."
- Talk with the child about the people he or she will see during the visit: nurses, nursing assistants, pediatricians and others.
- Reassure the child that a parent will be present during the appointment.
- Have someone else watch the child's siblings so that attention can be focused on the child with the appointment.
- Bring art supplies to the appointment. Colors or markers and paper are portable, inexpensive and serve as good distractions.
- Help relieve anxiety in the waiting area or hospital room by allowing the child to bring a favorite toy or a headset to play music or books on tape.