If you have a child who is afraid of going to the doctor, you aren't alone. Many parents find themselves in this situation, where a young child is afraid to see a doctor even when something is very wrong. Whether you are coming in for an emergency appointment or for a standard exam, you may want to alleviate your child's fears.

These are a few steps you can take today to make a doctor's appointment easier.

Stay With Your Child

This one might seem obvious, but many parents wonder if their child would do better if they were to leave the room. Typically, a child is most comforted when a close family member is in the room, sometimes even holding them. A doctor can feel like a stranger, but your closeness can be soothing.

Build Comfort at Home

Like adults, children are afraid of things they are not familiar with. Your child may be very afraid if they only associate doctors with "shots" or if they are not familiar with the concept at all. A child's doctor playset can help a child understand some of the tools, like a stethoscope.

It is also important not to talk negatively about going to the doctor. You can ease some of the discomforts by only speaking about the good aspects of going to the doctor, like good health or perhaps something else positive you are doing after the appointment, like a trip to the playground.

Bring a Toy

In many cases, a doctor is willing to help create a calming environment by "showing" your child what he or she is going to do by first demonstrating on a stuffed animal. This can help the child better understand the procedure. This also gives the child a chance to be more agreeable.

Talk to Your Child's Doctor

Many of your child's fears will ease when they have good experiences with doctors. You can help by speak with your child's doctor to learn more about ways to prepare him or her for the visit. Perhaps talking through their fears will be helpful.

Call a clinic like Kitsap Children's Clinic LLP to learn more about your child's fears and how to alleviate them. Your child does not have to be afraid of the doctor, and these tips help you give your child the best impression of healthcare. It sets them up for success later in life, especially when they have to make their own health decisions.