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Original poster

3 year old had her immunisations today... scary?

87 replies

faithfulbird20 · 26/03/2021 01:27

The fact that I had to watch my child be so vulnerable and cry broke my heart and gave me so bad anxiety...she had her first shot and cried and then was crying whilst nurse gave her her second shot...the fact that I heard her just give up through the way she changed her crying...honestly felt so sorry for her...it's just weird to think about helpless she felt...I'm probably exaggerating...but why do we do this to our kids and being a parent and watching ur child in pain is sooo hard...

OP posts:
nameisnotimportant · 26/03/2021 01:38

Because we know it protects them from diseases that are a lot worse and that if they catch could kill them. All you have to do is google and read about some of the diseases these vaccines prevent and then a couple of needles in the arm are insignificant. Sometimes as parents we have to do things that our children don't like to protect them. It's hard to see them in pain but it's over very quickly and children are extremely resilient and cope with and get over these sorts of things very quickly.

Sycamoretrees · 26/03/2021 01:42

Because the alternative is a lot worse!

Original poster
faithfulbird20 · 26/03/2021 01:51

Totally understand injections are important. Any tips with the anxiety?

OP posts:

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3 year olds Behaviour & development Families General health
orpah · 26/03/2021 04:38

oh cmon OP, it’s not nice but you’re overdoing it a bit

Tlollj · 26/03/2021 04:57

I remember when I was a kid my sister had whooping cough. I assure you that sound was far worse than hearing my children cry when they had their vaccines.

MyOtherProfile · 26/03/2021 05:00

I think maybe you need some professional help with this. A couple of quick injections are extremely minor on a scale of things that hurt. It's a step in learning resilience at least.

Zarinea · 26/03/2021 05:43

It's not nice, but your reaction doesn't sound normal.

You need to be more positive or the kids will pick up on it. Injections are lifesaving and wonderful!

HazeyJaneII · 26/03/2021 05:50

If you find it this hard is there someone else who can take her?
If not you will have to work out a way to put on a brave face.
My ds has had a slot of medical treatment, operations and blood tests....every single one is fucking horrendous, but I put on a Meryl Streep level performance in calm, because he looks to me to help him through it and it's no good if I'm a wobbly crying mess.
Good luck.

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/03/2021 05:53

Immunisations hardly qualify as painful; it is so brief and the needles are tiny. Think of all the actually painful things that happen to DC all the time, grazed knees, biting their tongues, hitting head on table corners etc. They bounce back and those things aren't the huge privilege and bonus in life that childhood vaccinations are. See if you can reset your thinking on this, it would be bad for your DC to pick up the idea that injections and immunisations are a negative thing.

Mincepiesallyearround · 26/03/2021 05:57

Mine had them recently too, it’s over in seconds and the crying soon stops (especially as I’d promised some sweeties after!). It’s hard to see them in paid but seeing them go through a dreadful disease would be 1000 times worst. A friend is deaf from a childhood illness she wasn’t vaccinated for.

ChocOrange1 · 26/03/2021 06:03

Your response is over the top. The injections take about 30 seconds and most kids cry for about 3 minutes and they've forgotten about it by tea time.
My daughter cries more when she falls over. She cries even more when she doesn't get her own way! I think you need thicker skin OP.

CloudFormations · 26/03/2021 06:05

but why do we do this to our kids

Because the alternative is so, so much worse.

It is horrible to watch, but it is such a short moment for them and then it’s over.

boredinthouse · 26/03/2021 06:12

We do it because it's potentially life saving and the diseases are much worse. Injections are very briefly painful, I would guess most of the crying is fear rather than it really hurting. She is three, she won't even remember it in a few months.

Sirzy · 26/03/2021 06:19

Imagine how horrible it would be sat by their hospital beds suffering from an illness that could have been prevented.

You need to be careful not to pass your anxiety to her and make her reaction worse.

AnnaBegins · 26/03/2021 06:19

Too late now but did you not prepare her for what would happen? When DS had his preschool ones we told him that they would give him super powers to fight off illness, and he'd get sweets after. He barely made a peep. Your reaction is over the top and probably made it worse for her, she will be fine now of course.

Dontforgetyourbrolly · 26/03/2021 06:19

Oh come on haha is this a joke

Sceptre86 · 26/03/2021 06:20

Get someone else to take the child if you can't control yourself. Your child will look to you for comfort and if you can't control the dramatics it will make it worse for them. Immunisations are to protect the child and in the UK at least we are very lucky that they are free.

EmilyEmmabob · 26/03/2021 06:24

In the nicest possible way, you need to toughen up. This reaction is ridiculous. Of course it isn't nice, but it's necessary.

YouAreYourBestThing · 26/03/2021 06:25

Get a grip!!! Jesus 😱🤦‍♀️

redcandlelight · 26/03/2021 06:30

have you told dc what's going to happen beforehand?
if the arm is relaxed it often doesn't hurt at all. but it might come as a shock if dc is not aware of what's happening.

I did with my dc and they accepted the vaccine (and got a small present as reward after)

vaccinations are so, so important. one of the few things you can do to really make a positive difference for their future!

Whyarewehardofthinking · 26/03/2021 06:41

Please seek help. If not you could pass this anxiety on to your child. I've lost count the number of times we have had vaccinations in school where the child has become hysterical, we've called mum and she has also been hysterical. The child shouldn't have to go through that and the other students certainly shouldn't have to hear someone's mother wailing about how traumatic it is.

It isn't. It is necessary.

SeeYouInAnotherLife · 26/03/2021 06:55

My DD is now 10. When she was a year old she contracted rotavirus. She became dehydrated incredibly quickly and needed several days of hospital treatment. Babies are now routinely vaccinated against rotavirus and I would give it to any child of mine in a heartbeat.

I assure you, watching your baby being re-hydrated via a tube and fitting because of the electrolyte imbalance is far more distressing than a couple of minutes crying from a jab.

Sparky888 · 26/03/2021 07:36

My little boy had his 6 ago - explained what would happen, including a sweet as a treat. He didn’t cry. I think it depends how you set them up.

cptartapp · 26/03/2021 07:47

I give these vaccinations.
The attitude and demeanour of the parent is massively linked to the child's reaction nine times out of ten. I can usually predict how it will go when I listen to them in the waiting room.
Matter of fact and a little distraction is usually the best way.

2021ishere2021 · 26/03/2021 07:58

If this thread was about watching your child go under general anesthesia and then the wake up period. I would understand your reaction.

Don't get me wrong you hate to see your kid getting a vaccine but it is at least quick and prevents something worse.

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