how to help a toddler with HUGE fear of medical professionals?

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

dd2 (18mo) was pretty gregarious at meeting new people, and would happily see doctors.

However she cut herself the other week, necessitating a trip to A&E, where her cut was obviously prodded and poked a bit, much to her distress.

Since then, she has had a total meltdown on the two occasions when we've been in "medical" settings (nurses appointment for me, and taking the cat to the vet). She has screamed for the duration and clung on tightly.

I'm going to trawl on Amazon for some medical themed books. Has anyone got any other tips for helping them through this one, preferably by the time we all have to go to the dentist next month? She is still very little, so reasoning will only go so far...

With her being so little it's a hard one really. With Ds who is 2.5 we play doctors a lot at home and generally make a game of it, we have also been lucky that the proffessionals we encounter generally make time to be his friend a bit while doing what they need to!

Depending how she reacts to things take a favourite teddy or toy with you so they can be 'treated' aswell.

i must say, the Vet couldn't have been better - she offered to change her scrubs, gave dd2 a soft toy dog, and offered her a go on her stethoscope, but to no avail (although dd1 LOVED checking the cat's heartbeat

I'll have a look for the first experiences book.

and maybe start taking chocolate buttons everywhere we're likely to encounter a medical bod.

Some time to forget about it a bit might help. It sounds like it is still quite fresh in her mind.

When my DC were very little I told them that they were going to the dentist to have their teeth counted, they were happy with that.

Topsy and Tim books have been great for us for this. my DS1 had a similar accident [cut his face] at about 20 months and subsequently had a meltdown at the dentist. there are books for dentist, doctor and hospital i think.

i just skipped over some text when he was smaller to make the story a bit shorter.

thanks again guys - it's good to hear that they do forget

i will rummage on amazon later, and dust off the doctors dressing up kit to corral both dds into a game of Dentist.

I work in healthcare and always appreciate a bit of warning if we have a child coming in who gets distressed in these situations. Means we can allow more time for them. I would second other comments about playing dr's and treating her favourite toys. Take the toy with you so you can put it in dentist chair first, ask if they'll let her push button to move the chair (big hit with us when we were kids)

Also do you get anxious in these settings? That def rubs off on the kids we see.i would call the dentist and ask how they deal with this sort of thing. They generally have loads of experience and may let you come for a visit before they do any examination, maybe make a game of it

ipswich, i don't think it's my own anxiety. in fact it took me ages to work out why she went crazy at the vet. I am a HCP myself, so am pretty sanguine about most of those sorts of things. although she may have picked up on the cat's anxiety....
I will definitely give the dentist a call though, to give him the heads up.