Hi everybody. I really need some advise after most recent visit to my 1-year old (almost 13-month old) baby's pediatrician's office. She has been getting more and more upset with every visit recently. Not that she goes there too often, but I noticed that even putting her on the examination bench would cause her to start crying the last couple of times. The crying increases when doctor just checks her lungs and ears. She struggles during temperature check and ear check. The time before last visit they had to draw her blood from fingure (1-year old blood test is the requirement) and she was histerical. Yesterday we had to take her for her first set of 1-year old shots. My husband got their first and I was rushing after work. By the time I got in, she was litterally in the most histerical and terrified state I have ever seen her in. And that was BEFORE they even tried to give her the shots. My husband told me that the doctor could not even check her weight, she was so upset and struggling. Same with checking her temparature and ears. He had to walk out of the examination room several times to calm her down a bit, but of course had to return. When I came in she was in such a bad state, she streched her arms to me and of course I took her. It was time to administer her shots and for the first time they were giving her shots in the shoulder area of her arms (one in each arm) and hot her legs like they did before. I had to hold her in my arms sitting down and both nurse and doctor had to hold her down. She is very strong and was struggling a lot. By the time doctor was finished with the shots I was ready to cry myself. I seriously have never seen my baby girl in this state of histerics: she was sobbing and running out of breath. Her doctor was actually asking my husband why she was so upset even in the beginning of the appointment. He said it was because she had a very good memory and therefore every time we go there she knows what's coming. I know this is true, but it seems that this time she really took it to another level. The doctor try to reassure us that when babies turn 2 years old, they are usually calmer when it comes to doctor's visits because they start to realize that it is not always shots.  It took us a long time to calm our baby girl down (well not as much time as the cheerios :-) ). I am terrified now to go back at 15 months for her next set of shots and god forbid before that if she gets sick. I really do try to always distract her and stay calm myself during the visits, but she does not seem to notice that. She gets upset as soon as we walk in the exam room. Anybody has any advise or similar experiences? Please help. Thanks!

When I saw the title of this post I KNEW that I was going to reply.  My son who just turned 2(2weeks ago) has ALWAYS been like this EVERY time we go to see his dr.  And we went for his 2yr check up yesterday and he actually calmed down enough that I didn't have to hold him down for the exam.  It is completly normal for kids to act like this(my son dr told me that she gets that alot from kids under the age of 3) and yes its painful to hear and see your child like that but it WILL get better.  The one thing that his dr did to help him calm down yesterday was to pretend to check me out as I held him and then he let her do it to him.  Like an example of a normal visit to the dr for us is: when we get there is is just fine, plays in the waiting room(with their toys) and as soon as the nurse calls his name he starts to freak, screaming, crying, a death grip on me and that doesn't stop until the nurse leaves us alone and he calms down right until the door opens and someone comes in(either the dr or the nurse again) and he doesn't stop till the dr leaves...most of the time the exam happens as I am holding him cause he has his death grip on me.

Anastasia, it is just awful to see your child in such distress isn't it? Goodness. My daughter used to get really upset when her pediatrician would just walk into the room....let alone come over to examine her! I switched pediatricians and it made a world of difference. It's worth a try if you aren't too attached to your ped.

Hi...I feel your pain. My daughter was the same way at that age (now 20 months), but she did get better with time. It's hard as a mother to see your baby upset. My biggest problem with well visits is that my daughter is happy go lucky getting in the car to go bye bye and she is okay in the exam room (now) BUT the fact that I KNOW what is about to happen and she doesn't bothers me the most. I don't want her becomming afraid again like before. I always bring a juice cup, a book and something cuddly for her when we go. This way she has some comfort from home and she is okay for the most part. The way I get through it for myself is to tell myself she will only cry for a few minutes and then she will be fine. Her Pediatricians office gives the kids pretzels at the end of the appointments, so that helps to stop the crying as well. You and your daughter will get through it easier as she gets older. Good luck :)

We just had our 18 month checkup and the minute we walked into the room my daughter started yelling,"no,no,no..." like we were taking her to the torture chamber. You do feel bad for them but it's one of those necessary evils. My doctor practically has to lay across her arms and legs to just check her ears, she's a fighter. I'm looking forward to when this fear begins to subside too. I don't really think there is too much to be done except just try and comfort her which I am sure you are doing.

What about purchasing a play dr. kit? That way she can become comfortable with the tools and she herself can be the dr. She check you out, her dolly or teddy then if she feels comfortable you can role play as the dr. Santa brought one for my daughter last year for Christmas (she was 1 yr 9 months). She absolutely loves it! She even goes into the bathroom now and stands on her little stool pretending it is the scale at the drs!I honestly think it helped a lot with her fears. Good Luck I hope this passes soon. Keep us updated :)

I have the play dr. kit and that has helped a little bit, but my 20 month old still starts crying when the doctor or nurse enters the room.  I like all the suggestions everyone's given. I also agree that you may need to reconsider the doctor. I like that my daughter's ped. is thorough yet quick with the exam. If you have a lot of qts./concerns ask the dr. after the exam. You may even want to call the doctor's office with your qts./concerns. Let him/her do their check-ups, shots and what not first. Really try to make the appointment as short as possible. My daughter was never fearful of the well checks up until the 15 month visit where she developed her anxiety to stranges. She had her 18 month appointment and had such a meltdown and that's when we got the play dr. kit. I think it has help a little but not entirely. Another recommendation would be to hold your baby on your lap with baby facing doctor (my ped. suggested this actually) during the check up, most doctors' find it convenient for you to have the baby lay down and all but it's okay to have your child on your lap as long as the the doctor is able to check her vitals. My last advice is to try to schedule appointments when your baby is not sleepy, hungary, or cranky. All the best to you...I'm sure it will pass with time.

Thank you all very much for such wonderful responses and very good suggestions. I am going to try the play dr. kit. Where did you get yours? Another problem is that both my husband and I work so we cannot really choose the time we go to the doctor. I am also going to try and see the other doctor at the same office. He is there only Wednesdays, but maybe my little girl will tolerate him a bit better. When we saw him once last month, she was not as upset as she is with her regular pediatrician (a woman).

Thank you all again! Really appreciate everybody's input.

We bought ours at babies r us. It's pink! Im sure you could find them anywhere though. Walmart, target, toys r us, etc

We bought ours at diapers.com and I bet you can get a discount on toys with it being the holiday season. I saw a dr. play kit at the local CVS drug store near our home. Or if you're part of a Freecycle group in your areas, you may be able to receive one from somone who's child may have outgrown the play kit. For the time being though, you could just use things around your home. For example if you have an ear thermometer, you pretend to use it to take baby's temperature and tell her this is what the doctor will do when you get a check-up. Good luck!