Well visit for 2 year old - Pediatrician requiring mask, mine won’t keep it on

[Anonymous]

Pediatrician’s office called as they are now taking well visits but requiring masks for 2 and up. My almost two year old will have turned two before th I his two year old appointment but won’t wear a mask. I tried to even get it close to his face and he gasps and pulls it off.

Do you think masks will still be required if we postponed the appointment and also, we vaccinate would this get off schedule?

[Anonymous]

if your child is 2 and 3 weeks old I really don't think they're going to turn you away. The risk of having an unvaccinated toddler running around is far greater than having a poorly masked or unmasked child in the office.

One tip to consider: would your child wear a character mask? Like a superhero or Paw Patrol or something? It's been a while since I had a 2 yo, but could you pick his favorite character and say "today the doctor is giving ice cream to every Spiderman that comes to the office!" and then get him ice cream, regardless, because whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if your child is 2 and 3 weeks old I really don't think they're going to turn you away. The risk of having an unvaccinated toddler running around is far greater than having a poorly masked or unmasked child in the office.

One tip to consider: would your child wear a character mask? Like a superhero or Paw Patrol or something? It's been a while since I had a 2 yo, but could you pick his favorite character and say "today the doctor is giving ice cream to every Spiderman that comes to the office!" and then get him ice cream, regardless, because whatever.

Except you can't take him to get ice cream after because everything is closed.

I'd do what you can. Bring the mask, attempt to put it on, but don't freak out. My 3.5 year old wouldn't wear it either. I'd maybe be able to bribe him, but delayed gratification is VERY hard at age 2. Waiting more than a minute for the bribe is impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if your child is 2 and 3 weeks old I really don't think they're going to turn you away. The risk of having an unvaccinated toddler running around is far greater than having a poorly masked or unmasked child in the office.

One tip to consider: would your child wear a character mask? Like a superhero or Paw Patrol or something? It's been a while since I had a 2 yo, but could you pick his favorite character and say "today the doctor is giving ice cream to every Spiderman that comes to the office!" and then get him ice cream, regardless, because whatever.

Except you can't take him to get ice cream after because everything is closed.

I'd do what you can. Bring the mask, attempt to put it on, but don't freak out. My 3.5 year old wouldn't wear it either. I'd maybe be able to bribe him, but delayed gratification is VERY hard at age 2. Waiting more than a minute for the bribe is impossible.

There are definitely creative ways to get ice cream -- probably half of ice cream places are open if you pre-order or you can pick up pints, or give them ice cream at home. The child is 2 -- I can't imagine he's going to nitpick about dine-in versus eating a big ass bowl of vanilla on the porch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if your child is 2 and 3 weeks old I really don't think they're going to turn you away. The risk of having an unvaccinated toddler running around is far greater than having a poorly masked or unmasked child in the office.

One tip to consider: would your child wear a character mask? Like a superhero or Paw Patrol or something? It's been a while since I had a 2 yo, but could you pick his favorite character and say "today the doctor is giving ice cream to every Spiderman that comes to the office!" and then get him ice cream, regardless, because whatever.

Except you can't take him to get ice cream after because everything is closed.

I'd do what you can. Bring the mask, attempt to put it on, but don't freak out. My 3.5 year old wouldn't wear it either. I'd maybe be able to bribe him, but delayed gratification is VERY hard at age 2. Waiting more than a minute for the bribe is impossible.

+1. I'd just bring him in with the mask, to show you've made an effort. I think your 2 year old is pretty normal. It's also possible they may be able to bribe him to wear it in the office for a sticker. He might be more compliant with another adult.

[Anonymous]

There's no vaccines at 2. Can you do telemedicine? That's what we have done twice for my newly 2 year old.

[Anonymous]

Can you call the office back and explain the situation, and ask for guidance?

[Anonymous]

Can you have the two year old wear a bucket hat with a face shield?

Available on amazon

[Anonymous]

If there are no vaccines needed at the appointment, I'd just skip it. Not worth the hassle.

But I understand your dilemma. I actually do not want my 4 year old to wear a mask because it makes him touch his face MORE, and is really not effective at preventing spread of anything. I get the sentiment, but it's poorly thought out for children.

[Anonymous]

I'd check with the office. Here's what ours says:

"For everyone’s protection, we ask that you please wear a facial covering when you come to CMG. Children who are too young to comfortably wear a facial covering will not be expected to do so."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If there are no vaccines needed at the appointment, I'd just skip it. Not worth the hassle.

But I understand your dilemma. I actually do not want my 4 year old to wear a mask because it makes him touch his face MORE, and is really not effective at preventing spread of anything. I get the sentiment, but it's poorly thought out for children.

I get your point, but when a pediatrician is leaning close and checking a child's ear or listening to their heart, the kid rarely will stick the fingers in the doctor's eyes or mouth. Maybe sometimes, but not nearly as often as they cough or sneeze at the doctor's face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pediatrician’s office called as they are now taking well visits but requiring masks for 2 and up. My almost two year old will have turned two before th I his two year old appointment but won’t wear a mask. I tried to even get it close to his face and he gasps and pulls it off.

Do you think masks will still be required if we postponed the appointment and also, we vaccinate would this get off schedule?

You are the parent and you tell your child that the mask is required to be kept on during doctor visit and there is no choice. I would raise holy hell if all children were wearing mandatory mask except your little snowflake. No other parent wants to take the risk if your spoiled brat spreading the virus!

[Anonymous]

Your kid will do it for the doctor if he/she asks, while they won't do it for you. It's not right, but usually how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pediatrician’s office called as they are now taking well visits but requiring masks for 2 and up. My almost two year old will have turned two before th I his two year old appointment but won’t wear a mask. I tried to even get it close to his face and he gasps and pulls it off.

Do you think masks will still be required if we postponed the appointment and also, we vaccinate would this get off schedule?

You are the parent and you tell your child that the mask is required to be kept on during doctor visit and there is no choice. I would raise holy hell if all children were wearing mandatory mask except your little snowflake. No other parent wants to take the risk if your spoiled brat spreading the virus!

Yes that approach works with most 2 year olds. And if it doesn't I imagine you suggest a spanking or a switch?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pediatrician’s office called as they are now taking well visits but requiring masks for 2 and up. My almost two year old will have turned two before th I his two year old appointment but won’t wear a mask. I tried to even get it close to his face and he gasps and pulls it off.

Do you think masks will still be required if we postponed the appointment and also, we vaccinate would this get off schedule?

You are the parent and you tell your child that the mask is required to be kept on during doctor visit and there is no choice. I would raise holy hell if all children were wearing mandatory mask except your little snowflake. No other parent wants to take the risk if your spoiled brat spreading the virus!

j.
Please. This is a two year old. One parent can hold him down, while another parent ties a mask to this poor kid? They still may be able to get it off. The doctor's office does not expect this level of effort. They are posting guidelines, not regulations.