How to help your child with medical experiences
As a certified child life specialist, I have found the following beneficial in helping your child with medical experiences. This could be a routine doctor’s visit, an outpatient procedure, a trip to the Emergency Room, an inpatient stay, dental visit, or any other medical experience.
- Be honest with your child.
Answer the questions they ask. Sometimes we as parents want to “shelter” our children for fear they will get upset or they won’t understand. But, if they are asking questions, they are ready for an honest answer. Now, you know your child best and you know what information to share. Maybe your child does best with knowing one step at a time or they want to know the minimal details or maybe you have a child that wants to know everything. I will note that you don’t have to have all the answers. It’s 100% okay to say I don’t know, but we can find out. Here’s the key – make sure you find out and get the answer. It would be best if you could reach out to a medical professional and not Dr. Google.
- Use child friendly language to prepare them.
Think about the words you are using with your child. Children are not small adults, they do not understand or process thoughts the same way adults do. Use language that is appropriate for his/her age.
- Give choices when you can. (this is big!)
When your child has a doctor’s visit or procedure, they often don’t have a choice of what is going to happen or when. But there are some choices you can give them. For example, can they sit in your lap, do you want to watch or look away? What would you like to eat or drink when we are done? What show would you like to watch on mommy’s phone? Would you like mommy or daddy to hold your hand?
- Make a plan for support.
Talk with your child about what they think would be best to help them through the experience and do that. Be sure to provide encouragement throughout the procedure.
- Provide praise.
You can always find something to praise him/her for. Verbal praise can go a long way. I’m proud of you. You did it! I know you were scared, thank you for holding still. You did amazing with taking big deep breaths.
Here are some examples of age-appropriate support for your child.
Infants – swaddle him, nurse him, lay your face next to her so she can see you, hear you and smell you
Toddlers – hold her on your lap, hold her hand, let him pick a favorite show to watch, play a game (counting, making animal sounds, naming family members, etc.)
School-Age – let him pick which arm to use, ask if she would like someone to count 123 before the poke/encounter, allow her to watch if she wants
Adolescents – ask if he would like to watch or look away, allow him to express his emotions, ask who she would like in the room, be mindful of privacy
