Don’t Forget About Mom

Use baby's trust of mom, dad, or other primary caregiver to your advantage. For instance, if a young patient cries or pushes away your stethoscope each time you try to listen to the heart, lungs, or abdomen, have the mother hold the stethoscope bell on the child's torso for you. Even a very suspicious child will usually permit this. Soliciting the mother's help in such scenarios can calm the child's fears and allow for a better examination.

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