My Child Is Afraid of Going to the Doctor: What Can I Do to Help?

Kids can be afraid of just about anything. You do what you can to soothe their worries about the monsters under their bed or in their closet, and you want to ease any fears they have about visiting the doctor, too, a worry that affects about half of young kids.

Helping your child get over their fear of going to the doctor sets them up for a life of better health. Annual physicals and appointments when they notice symptoms go a long way toward catching health issues early when they’re easiest to treat. In other words, ensuring that your child protects their well-being throughout their lifetime starts with helping them get comfortable at the doctor when they’re young.

You don’t have to navigate this alone, either. At SmartClinic Urgent Care in Santa Clarita and West Covina, California, our team specializes in pediatric care. When you visit either of our clinics, our team takes the time to try and put your child at ease. 

We also have a couple of practical tips that can help. 

Minimize the fear of the unknown

A lot of the worry about going to the doctor comes from the fear of the unknown. You can help your child here by familiarizing them with what happens at their appointment. 

For starters, playing doctor with them at home can help them understand how the process works. Having them briefly sit in a “waiting room” lets them know about a normal step in their appointment, for example. 

It can also help to read books or watch media in which familiar characters visit a doctor. There are plenty of good children’s books about this topic. TV shows are a good option, too. PBS has a roundup of Daniel Tiger clips that focus on a doctor’s visit, for example. 

Communicate with our team

If you know your child is particularly worried about one part of the appointment, let us know. We can slow down and explain things to them in an effort to help them feel more comfortable. Or if they’re really concerned about getting an immunization, we might do it quickly at the start of their visit so they can relax once it’s over. 

You can also tell us about any steps you’re taking to keep them comfortable. If holding a favorite stuffed animal will help soothe them, we’re glad for them to have it during their appointment. Communicate with us, and we can work together to implement any accommodations as much as possible throughout their appointment. 

In other words, we’re here to partner with you to help your child feel more comfortable and overcome their fears. To work with a team of pediatric caregivers committed to helping your child feel at ease when they’re with us, visit SmartClinic Urgent Care at either of our locations.

We accept walk-in appointments, but they may come with a longer wait time. To minimize that time where nervousness can build for your child, we recommend calling the clinic nearest you to schedule an appointment in advance.