Which kid goes first?

[vanillacourage]

Because I'm a glutton for punishment I'm taking the boys for a combo pedi appt today - DS1's 4 year and DS2's 2 month. Who should I have the doctor do first?

Both will get shots - oldest may get as many as five (eeesh). I was thinking of having older go first so he doesn't see the baby get a shot and get freaked out, plus I could play up the "be good for the doctor to show your brother what we do at the doctors office"angle but knowing he's getting that many shots it might be best to have him go second to be able to whisk him out the door afterward. WWYD, other than cancel the appt and hide under the bed?

[pierogigirl]

I think I'd have the oldest go first, and then schedule separate appointments from now on. DS1 cries for only a minute or two after shots (as long as he gets the sticker from the doc), but I think he'd be getting into things/demanding attention while the baby was being checked, so I try not to bring him.

[6fsn]

I take my kids together for pretty much all well appts. I just let the doc pick which one she wants to examine first. There has never been an issue.

[vanillacourage]

Yeah the oldest only has well visits once a year so the appointments won't line up again after this.

It seemed like a good idea at the time...

[satama]

At our doc the kids get check up with the doctor, then he leaves the room and the nurse comes to do shots. So I would do both exams then save all the shots for the end and do the older one first because they probably will only need a minute of comforting/ sticker/ whatever. Can they do all shots at the end?

[Deleted]

I would have your older son go first and arrange for some kind of treat or special outing afterwards. And dang, I did not know that they get so many shots at 4 yo! I think he's only gotten one or two the previous two years.

[NinaSimone]

I like the idea of saving the shots for the end, that way you can leave right afterwards.

[brit1017]

Oldest first.

[GailGoldie]

I would have all shots done at the very end of both appts - and have the older child get the shots first... then the baby - then leave.

i take all 3 of my boys for their flu shots together - and DS1 usually volunteers to go first. I would never schedule well visits on the same day, though - they take too long - it's hard enough having my twins on the same day- but at least they are the same age so managing them together is easier then having my older son in the mix.

bring an iPad or iPhone for your older one to play with if you have one - that's my saving grace in the doc office these days.

[Ashley&Scott]

I agree with everyone else, all shots at the very end would be easiest. DS1 goes first.

Holy cow 5 shots! The most DS has ever gotten is 3 because so many are combos.

[ijack]

DON'T DO IT!!! The 4 year shots suck ass, it was the worst appt of my life. I let E choose and she wanted her sister to go first, so she did and it was horrible and I ended up having to hold E down because she freaked out. Bad, bad appt.

[vanillacourage]

OK, my older son decided to be a complete angel today so the entire appointment was super easy. DS1 only got one shot (at my request - chicken pox vaccine) and DS2 got a bunch and was superpissed but conked out right afterward.

Oh, and my four year old weighs 30 lbs and my two month old weighs 15.5, lol.

[hannamarin]

I am always ready with a treat to distract her. And she is only 7 mths. Since 2 mths doesnt get any treats.....
Although the 2 mth shots were the least horrible for Layla. She cried for a couple seconds and then stopped.

[ijack]

I'm glad your oldest was good for you!

[txannie]

I just took both of my boys to dr thinking it would be easier.
Here's how it went:
Ds1 was sick (cold w fever) and ds2 needed 8 week shots. I should have waited a week for ds1 to get better bc ds2 had fever frim his shots for the next 24-48 hrs. So I had two sick babies with fevers and got zero sleep bc I kept checking temps, pushing fluids, giving meds and dh had to go out of town. Just something to think about. I'd space the appt next time or delay a week.

[rootbeerfloat]

Glad it went well.

We usually have DS (who is older) go first with the shots. Now that he's old enough to bribe, he's usually willing to go first.

And I can relate to your size issues. My kids are almost 3 years apart, but DS is small, and DD is above average, so she weighs almost as much as him.