4 year old petrified of going to the doctors

[nfhhenry]

My 4 year old is petrified of going to the doctors, i need to take him as he keeps getting coughs. He's never had any major illnesses that have meant going docs often, just normal jabs etc. Has been prone to nose bleeds but now he's quite calm dealing with them. I don't know how to get over this, was going to try a doctors kit to get him familiar with whats used. Anyone else had this experience?

[coccinelle]

My niece had this problem and once she was taken to a woman doctor, the fear went!

[zzxxee]

what is it about the doctors that scares him so much do you think??

[nfhhenry]

Don't think he's had a female before so am going try that next time. good idea!

[nfhhenry]

would u believe it - tonight he has twisted his ankle in the garden & ended up in A&E with a plaster cast, so far with no painkillers! He still threw a wobbler at having his temperature & blood pressure done. Not too bad having the x-ray & cast put on!

[coccinelle]

He'll be so proud having a cast and showing it to his friends!! Hope that hasn't put him off hospitals for life though...
Wishing him a swift recovery

[ummmm]

My son has a fear as well. He had an infection in his lymph node. He was 2 at the time and since then has had a real fear of doctors.....they stick needles in you..!!

[nfhhenry]

He's got a full leg cast so got to carry him around until he uses his crutches. (which he didn't want to try in hosp so we've got a community physio coming to house!) No smiles from him yet, had temp taken under his armpit in hospital, pain relief in his milk! He even thought the cleaning lady was going to do something to him! His brother has been busy drawing on his cast, at the mo I think he's just exhausted from the crying & pain, hopefully he'll get a bit happier a few days down the line when its less painful.