moms with 2 - well check up appts - together or separate?

[kaylinsmommy2]

When possible, would you schedule well baby/kid check ups for both (or more) kids together or separately? If separately, would you take each of your kids in alone? The nurse told me that maybe it'd be best to not have my 3 year old (who is scared of shots) around when DS gets shots because seeing him cry would only make her more scared.

Caroline
mommy to Kaylin 6/5/04 and Carter 3/8/07

[megs4413]

we did DD's 2yr checkup with DS' 6 wk checkup last week. it was good. DD got her shots first and then DS got his. She was brave for him in a way...it was cute. it worked well for us and i loved getting them both done at once. our spacing is closer than your two so i don't know if that will make a difference, but my advice would be do them together!

[billysmommy]

Billy has gone with me to all of Benjamin's well baby visits - at 1 of them he was scheduled for his flu shot also. It worked out great -he told Benjamin he was going to show him how to get a shot and be very brave :) We are doing there 1 and 4 year visits together in a couple weeks also. Their birthdays are so close together that I would be going twice in the space of a week or 2 anyway. But Billy has never been afraid of getting shots - even as a baby he would barely whimper??? so I didn't worry about him seeing Benjamin get them and cry.
The hardest part is getting Billy to stay relatively quiet while Benjamin is getting his check-up so we bring our little Video Now player - and it works great. Our ped is wonderful too and she lets Billy help her check Benjamin out - listening to his heart, etc

[g-mama]

I always try to do them together if it works out and have never had a problem with the shot issue.

[Lynnie]

I always do them together (their birthdays are three days apart) but I really don't like to.

The shot one gets will scare the other, and it is hard containing them both in the room if the wait gets long.

Plus, sometimes it is hard for me to really spend time with the doc on each one, especially for the yearly checkups, when both are in there, because they are often antsy.

That being said, because I have a hard time getting in to see the doc, I usually take them together.

[o_mom]

We do them together when possible. That doesn't happen too much since their birthdays are opposite. DS1 always went to DS2's appointments and never had a problem with the shots. Sitting still long enough that I could actually converse with the doctor was another story, but I don't have unlimited $$$ to hire a babysitter everytime they go to the doctor.

[Tondi G]

we do the appts together. I typically have DH or gandma along so that makes it a LOT easier!

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01 and Aidan 5/4/05

[luvmypeanut]

My kids are almost two years apart and we took them separately until ds was 1 because of the frequency of the appointments and shots. Since then, they have had their doctor and dentist appts together. DS adores DD and I find he behaves better with her there.

[C99]

I schedule all of them together as much as I possibly can. I told DS that DD would get shots; he was never scared of it (though he hated it when he got his 4-year shots).

[trumansmom]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority. I do everything I possibly can to avoid having their appointments at the same time. It's not because of the shots in particular, but more because I feel like each child really needs my individualized attention at the appointments and I just can't do that when they're both there.

That being said, yesterday DH had a last minute meeting come up so Truman went with us to Eleanor's 3 year old check up. It was fine. Going to the bathroom was nuts, but I'm used to that. :)

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04

[jamsmu]

My boys b-days are right after eachother 8/28 and 8/29. I do the well visits separate because it just takes too long otherwise, and the ped and I can focus on the one child the whole time. But, I've done shots together. I always ask DS1 to show DS2 what a big boy he is by being brave and going first. DS1 is so into being a big boy/role model, its been easier.

[Kungjo]

I do them together when I can and they both go in at the same time. DD #2 gets examined first since she starts crying as soon as her pediatrician comes in. WHile DD #2 is being examined, DD #1 chats with the pediatrician. For some reason, DD #1 loves going to see him despite the shots. She dreads the shots, but loves chatting with her ped and the nurses. :-)

When they both have to have shots, DD #1 goes first and then DD #2. I find it easier to have the appointments together so I don't have to make an extra trip with the both of them.

[Snugglibumkins]

I have 3 kids under 5, I do their well-child checks and their vaccines seperate. I, too, like the one-on-one with each child and to be able to hold them if needed during part of the exam. Each one of my kids is at different parts of their development, and I like them to learn while they are there.

The doc talked to my 4 year old about safety - wearing his helmet, lifejacket, etc. And about healthy food choices and exercise. Our doc is just as 'crunchy granola' as me, so I like that he 'talks with the kids' instead of just at them.

I tried once to bring all three to a flu vaccine clinic that our public health was offering and it was too 'assembly line' for me. I felt like I didn't get to snuggle and cuddle each of the littler ones after their shots and I was too distracted with the small ones to answer the oldest's never ending stream of questions.

I say do whatever works best for you.

edited for spelling.