https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:25:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720441 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 13:49:23 +0000 travellingbee 2720441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OK I didn't read any replies but I just wanted to say that I was at the Dr. with my 15 month old yesterday and she was saying that 15 month and 18 month olds checkups are the hardest because the babies are terrified of the doctor and scream the whole time. She was lamenting that she had all 15 and 18 month appointments that day and it was a rough day. LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720367 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 11:25:51 +0000 PawPrints 2720367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD got really frightened at her 18-m checkup. I felt like at that point she was old enough to remember the fear of getting shots in that room in the past, but also not yet old enough to be easily persuaded that I would keep her safe and it would be over quickly. She's been to several sick visits since then, to various doctors, and has been a lot less scared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720349 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 10:59:05 +0000 GreeneB2 2720349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As our ped. was asking us about behavior issues my daughter proceeded to hit her over the head repeatedly with her jelly cat at her 18 month checkup. I was like, does that answer your question? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720217 Wed, 05 Apr 2017 07:16:03 +0000 ElbieKay 2720217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a wellness visit awhile ago that involved running naked out of the exam room to play with the toys in the waiting room. I think it happened more than once during the visit. That could very well have been the 18mo checkup but I don't remember. I have tried to block out as much of that memory as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720180 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 23:50:09 +0000 anonysquire 2720180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow!! I've never had meltdowns at the doctors, maybe because we visit so often? Or maybe because my kids are so focused on the stickers they get at the door that they don't have time to meltdown? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720173 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 22:30:36 +0000 charleysmom 2720173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD was scared at her 2 year visit. After that we watched some Doc McStuffins and I got her the doll and little medical kit. I let her bring it at our next visit and it helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720172 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 22:27:24 +0000 Coffee-lover 2720172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought my 20 month old hated going to the dr, but it turns out she just hated her dr. I figured this out after her dr was out sick, so we saw another dr. She loved the new dr so much she kept asking her to pick her up and play. I was shocked, there were no tears or tamtrums. Every visit with this new dr had gone great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720170 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 22:16:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2720170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our ped warned us at the 9 month check up that babies/ kids begin to fear the doctor. She was on the money, LO rarely doesn't cry now. The doctors and nurses that have the best luck with him are the ones that play around with him first or let him explore their instruments before using them on him. Our ped also recommended getting a doctor kit so the kids can pretend play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720165 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 21:05:10 +0000 lady baltimore 2720165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just had LO's 15 month appointment, and it was the first time that she seemed to know what was up when shot time came. She got cranky as soon as the nurse came back into the room and was legit pissed by the time I got her on the table, and for a while after. I am bracing myself for the 18 month appointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720144 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:30:50 +0000 jhd 2720144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: haha! I hope your next visits go well. We saw a big difference from 1.5-2.5 years old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2720142 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 19:27:40 +0000 Ms. RV 2720142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: It was actually the tech that gave her the new toys. It was a really sweet gesture but I agree it probably did overwhelm her. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: I am definitely going to try Daniel Tiger more before her 24 month well visit. He is currently her favorite thing in the world so hopefully it helps. I even bought the book version of that episode today!</p> <p>@sapphire: Thank you so much for weighing in from the other side!</p> <p>@Truth Bombs: Haha! At least they would have had a good reading because he was still! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719992 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:18:17 +0000 youboots 2719992@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD has always been fine but she has basically no stranger anxiety- she will go sit in other parents laps at story hour. She also follows instructions well so getting haircuts and going to the dentist are pretty painless. That said providers regularly comment that she is very easy/compliant so I don't think it's typical at all. Hopefully she outgrows it as her communication gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719991 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 13:16:06 +0000 krispi 2719991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know about getting better because she's 19 months. But I had to take her to the doctor a couple of weeks ago to get a rash checked out, and she started screaming as soon as the doctor or nurse entered the room. Maybe she remembered getting shots at her 18 month appointment, but this time was just for the doctor to look at her rash. She still flipped out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719971 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:42:13 +0000 lioneyes 2719971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Starting at 18m well check, he was a nightmare. Screaming NO, not wanting the dr. to look in his ears or mouth. Now at 2.5 he still doesn't love it, but he's getting better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719964 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:28:09 +0000 Banana330 2719964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: no my DD is great at the doctor. Probably the best behaved compared to at home or anywhere else. She sits still, and cooperates wonderfully... if only she would do that all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719949 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 12:16:20 +0000 maddyz 2719949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lo1 screamed and cried all through his 18 month check up. Then he was a dream for his two year check up, super sweet, easy with his shots and he tells me he likes Dr Cole every time we walk by. I was shocked by the shift. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719918 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:34:54 +0000 Adira 2719918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, totally normal! After about 12 months, they start remembering that the doctor is where they get shots, so they freak out the entire time. It does get better! Xander's 4 and going to the doctor's not a huge deal for him anymore. Now he knows he gets a sticker after, which he likes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719915 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 11:31:27 +0000 KT326 2719915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yup, I agree with PP, it's just the age. DS never really screamed at the doctor but he wasn't happy about being there from about 15 months-2 years. Now he is 5 and doesn't mind going at all. Even after his 4 year appointment when he got 4 shots he was fine afterwards. Didn't even cry until the last shot was almost done! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719842 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:59:24 +0000 sapphire 2719842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a family doctor, 18 month is the hardest age for a visit for me. They have major stranger danger at that age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719812 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 09:02:11 +0000 Truth Bombs 2719812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: We had an echo last week for my 16 month old. I was sure he would scream his face off. He ended up legit playing possum. He laid completely still and gave the sonographer the most judgmental death glare I have ever seen! I kept apologizing for his obvious distain for her :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719760 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 06:49:08 +0000 Foodnerd81 2719760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: we watched the doctor episode of Daniel tiger about a million times between 18 months and 2 years and I think it really helped. Or maybe it was also the age. But I remember forcibly holding her down for her ear check then and by two she was calling it an otoscope and turning her head for the doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719758 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 06:16:31 +0000 Finfan 2719758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My oldest was only briefly afraid at the doctor's office for a few months around 3 years old. But LO2 is 17 months and she has been afraid for a few months, giving out Death Stares and screaming. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719746 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 04:25:41 +0000 Ms. RV 2719746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: How ironic is it that the doctor episode of Daniel Tiger was on when we got home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719740 Tue, 04 Apr 2017 01:26:58 +0000 lamariniere 2719740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this depends on the kid. My DS has never really been afraid of doctors or dentists, and he's 6 now. From very young, like 6 months, my DD would start crying every time she saw the doctor. She wouldn't let the dentist check her out last fall (so he didn't charge us), and at her 3 year checkup, she was still clinging to me and crying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719725 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 21:55:16 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2719725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Same at the same age. She hates the doctor and doesn't particularly like when strangers talk to her. She shakes her head no at them. She has disliked our doctor since 6 months and there seems to be no end in sight. She is immediately upset when he walks in the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719722 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 21:43:28 +0000 jhd 2719722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have some books about going to the doctor and have also had good discussions about the doctor after watching Daniel Tiger episodes about the doctor and playing the DT doctor game if either of those suggestions help. Other than that we do the same as you take his favorite things and snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719720 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 21:41:21 +0000 jhd 2719720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: 18 months was rough. And at LO's 2yo visit to the cardiologist he tried to bite the tech who was doing his echo. I was absolutely mortified. But all appointments since then have gone better. He will be three at the end of the month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719706 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 20:44:18 +0000 Astro Bee 2719706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: Oh that's tough. Our appointments are at a clinic with a small number of doctors, and the walk-in is next door and rarely crowded either. I'm sure that contributes to his lack of anxiety. I'd definitely book for the satellite office in the future, and maybe try not to overwhelm her with too much toys or new things there? We also bring snacks, but I see you are already doing that. DS is really into role playing with his doll the last several months, i.e., feeding, playing, etc., so the stuff at the doctor's really plays into it. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719691 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 20:28:45 +0000 Ms. RV 2719691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. I am feeling a little less overwhelmed and embarassed.</p> <p>Her appointment today was at the children's hospital and there were loads of very ill children there. Maybe she picked up some bad vibes. Next year's appointment is at a satellite location, so much fewer people there.</p> <p>@Astro Bee: I brought her favorite snack, a pouch, her lovey, the toy she always plays with in the car, and the tech tried giving her two new toys. She was just not having it. Actually, when they called her name in the waiting room, she immediately screamed "no" and tried to run away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-does-your-18ish-month-old-act-at-the-doctor#post-2719684 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 20:17:47 +0000 Astro Bee 2719684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS hasn't ever been scared at the doctor's even when getting his shots. He would cry for those but be okay in a few mins. He is quieter, but we make sure to bring his baby doll, so that if he seems nervous the doctor does the test on his doll first and then he okays it for him. It's worked so far. He has his 2 year checkup next week, and hopefully it'll go as well. He's been several times to the walk-in clinic and it's worked for strange doctors and nurses, too. Maybe try something like that with a favourite doll or toy? </p>