Taking baby to your doctor's appointments

[pbandjelly]

I have a dentist appt tomorrow for a cleaning (it was just moved this morning) and H can't make it home in time. Do you take baby with you to your appts or should I find someone else to watch him? I would have to ask a neighbor we trust as we have no family nearby.

[gratefulgirl]

It totally depends. With a tiny newborn I really try to avoid it, because they are so unpredictable. Also I don't find it easy to deal with my kids during cleanings. I took the 4 year old and almost 2 year old and it was pretty tough when the almost 2 year old got fidgety/fussy. If my soon-to-be newborn decided to be hungry or overtired mid-brushing it seems like a recipe for stressed mom + stressed hygenist/dentist + unhappy everyone.

[hashbrownnofilter]

I took DS with me for a filling at 8 weeks because there was no other option. He slept through the whole thing. I did call ahead to get the OK, and the receptionist offered to hold him if need be. To be fair, we've known our dentist forever, so my comfort level is probably unusual.

[ivehearditbothways]

I took dd to all of my doc appts when she was a newborn. I'd just make sure to feed her before we went to reduce the chance that she would fuss. I'd carry her in in her carseat and she usually just slept. The people who worked there were very nice about it, and I also had people offer to hold her should the need arise. When I went to the dentist, I needed an xray, so dd couldn't be in the room and the receptionist stood right by her carseat in the hallway to watch her for me! Maybe you could call ahead of time, like a pp suggested, and ask what they think.