A shot question About This Page:

[loobyoxlip]

Jalen will be going to the doctor on the 16th for the dreaded 5-yr. well child visit - the one where he will be getting his school shots.

How do you prepare a child this age for these shots? The last time he had any was (I think) at age 2, so he doesn't know what to expect. I'm not sure if I should tell him ahead of time and try to ease his fears - or just let him know once we're there. I'm afraid if I tell him before we're there he will throw a huge tantrum and not even get out of the car once we get there. I surely don't want to carry in a screaming child and I don't want him to be worried for longer than necessary.

On the other hand, I don't want to just spring it on him "Oh heh you're getting shots now". Can't really remember what we did with Kylor, but it wasn't traumatic.

For those of you with older kids, what did you do? Or what would you do?

[Nala]

This is a hard one! I went through this with DD last spring. I thought for sure she would scream her head off but she took it like a trooper. I was, however, afraid she was going to deck the nurse who gave her the shots. But my DD has a speach delay, so I wasn't asked about what was going to happen.
If he doesn't ask, I wouldn't bring it up. If he does, be honest and offer comfort and reassurance. If that doesn't work, offer a really good bribe to be good. (hey, sometimes as a parent you have to resort to stuff like that) LOL
Best of luck.

[kimdisneynut]

Tina,
You may want to call you M.D., they now have a patch that you can apply to the area and the injections are pain free. The down side is you have to wait I think 30min to 60min for it to take effect. When DS had his MMR, I had this done and it was pain free, not one tear. But the down side is you have to pay for it at the Drug Store and bring it with you. You need a script or if the office is nice they may give one to you, but don't count on it being free.

Kim

[statelady01]

I also agree I wouldn't necessarily say anything, unless he asks. If he doesn't and you get through the appointment - when they are prepping the shots, I would tell Jalen what I told my kids-

" Before we go, you need to get some medicine so you stay really healthy. This kind of medicine comes in a shot- which feels like a pinch. I will stay with you while you get it."

I used this or something very simiar to this and while they cried, they didn't kick or scream. Needless to say after, we had the biggest ice cream sundaes known to man.

However, if he does ask, I wouldn't dodge the subject and just use the same response when he asks.

Good luck- I will be thinking of you both and let us know what happens!

[wdwlovers]

[ QUOTE ]
I used this or something very simiar to this and while they cried, they didn't kick or scream. Needless to say after, we had the biggest ice cream sundaes known to man.

[/ QUOTE ]
Boy, I'd get a shot for some ice cream!

I don't have any advice since my DD is under a year. Hope things go well. Sounds like some good advice here!

[Colexis Mom]

DD got all of hers at her 4 year appointment (I think she got 4 shots). I hope there's no more for her 5 year. She was very brave, and I'm not sure why She had been coming with me for DS's well baby visits and would see him cry/scream, etc. Well, she didn't flinch or make a whimper for all 4 shots, I couldn't believe it, and the Dr. was quite impressed as well (where did my little baby go ). Told me after that she wanted to be a big girl and not cry like a baby (her brother). The only downside was the next well baby visit that she was at for DS, she couldn't stay in the room when he got his shots. Thank goodness DH was also there at that appt. since I had to take her out of the room.



I'd call the Dr.'s office and see what they recommend (patch, tylenol, etc.). Sending Jalen lots of , certainly not a fun experience.

[GoofyMom]

Would you believe I can still remember my Mom taking me for my pre-school shots?!!! You had to get your shots at the public health nurse's office, and I remember her parking the car in front of the office and realizing what was about to happen. Let me just say, my poor mother must have been so embarrassed dragging me in there kicking and screaming!

For my kids, I told them as we were leaving the house that they were going to get a needle and it might pinch a little, but only for a moment, and I reminded them we would play the Quack Quack game afterwards. And then I promised them time in McDonald's Playland and an ice cream cone. I gave them Children's Tylenol before we went for the shot. And I brought along candy or a toy to give to them right at the "moment of truth" to distract them. As soon as they had the shot, we folded our arms into birdie wings, and flapped and quacked. Then every 20 minutes or so we marched around Playland and later, the house flapping our wings and quacking to prevent their arm from getting stiff.

[Laura W.]

DD was a BIG baby about these. Once she asked me in the car on the way there if she was going to get one and I answered that I wasn't sure. Ohmigosh! The drama! "I must be getting one if you're not saying no!" And so on. Some might disagree but I would say nothing. Put the blame on the doctor. Well, not on the doctor himself, but act a little surprised - like you didn't know it was time to do this. That worked for me. Otherwise my kids wouldn't sleep, possible throw up on the car the way there, etc.
Laura

[poohsgirl]

<font color="purple"> I'd also suggest not saying anything until the day of. The poor thing doesn't need to worry for so long! for Jalen &amp; for the worried mommy, too! </font>

[Teresa]

With the 10 yr. old, I just acted suprised. "Boy, are you really that old? Seems like just last week you were still in diapers" (usually enough to gross them out so they don't notice the shot.

The 5 yr. old was a little quicker on the uptake. The nurse did it so fast, though that she did not even notice it.

As a former nanny (the family had me take all of their 3 kids and 6 foster kids to the Dr.) and mom to 5, I can give you only this advise:

Do not make a big deal out of it. If you are calm and act as if it is a normal thing, he will get the idea that it is nothing to be upset over.

[joyjoy]

All kids are different. My sister and I were screamers, man. My poor mom. I so dreaded it with Jordie, but she hardly flinched. I remember taking her when she was 4, and the nurse did it so fast she didn't have time to think. She did have a horrified look on her face for a flash (at ME), but she really did well. I say don't say anything ahead of time. Afterwards if he's mad, tell him that does not happen every time you go to the doctor and remind him of times he went when the doc just looked at him. Oh, and I'm with everyone else. Buy him something. To me (and my Jordie), shots = new outfit. But I have a girl. Good luck, Tina. It'll be fine.

[graygables]

This may seem silly, but we don't call them "shots", we call them "boosters". My DDs have always said that boosters don't hurt as much, only a pinch.

I always tell mine when we go to the Dr that I'm not sure what procedures they may have to have (sometimes it's not so nice), so they don't have anything specific to worry about.

My DDs have also learned deep breathing, so if they have blood work or "boosters", I can make eye contact and help them with that deep breath. Didn't do a whole lot for me while giving birth, but that Lamaze stuff has sure paid off for other stuff!

[loobyoxlip]

Thanks, guys. I'm not gonna worry about it. I will just let the nurse tell him once we are there.

Intereting, though, I got my Depo shot today. Jalen wanted to know why I had to go to the doctor...I told him I had to get a shot. All he wanted to know was what kind of Band-Aid I had. Didn't ask if it hurt, etc. So maybe that's a good sign. We'll discuss the different types of Band-Aids he might get during the process. I do believe he will be getting 2 shots this time, so that may be a little traumatic. And we will get a new gift afterwards, too, or a shake. Chocolate shakes always make him happy Kylor will be going to Grandmas, so it'll be just me him, which always makes him happy, too.