Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To take DD1 in with me for DD2's jabs?

27 replies

Dysgu · 08/02/2010 19:43

I have posted this in Children's health too but really want some quick suggestions - open to all suggestions.

DD2 (aged 13mo) has her MMR tomorrow - but I am not really looking to debate the pros and cons of that...

I have DD1(aged 3.5mo) and do not know if I should take her into the nurse's room whilst the little one has her jab.

The real reason is because they both have their swine flu jabs next week - again not really looking for the pros and cons...

Does anyone have any experience regarding older siblings watching little ones have needles? I think I would probably explain to DD1 whilst we were in waiting room for her own jab why she was there - but is she likely to get scared when DD2 screeches tomorrow and then be really hard work next week?

I don't really have any option to leave DD1 with anyone tomorrow so may end up postponing the MMR until the Easter holidays when DP can take a day off too. (He has already arranged the day off next week when they are both having jabs.)

Any ideas? Suggestions? Experiences? Advice?

OP posts:

activate · 08/02/2010 19:47

I think it's the wrong thing to do

You can easily explain to your 3 year old that it's like a poke it will hurt for a moment and then stop. you can take a lollipop in with you to give to her when you know the jab is coming and keep her focused away from the needle.

You can give her calpol 30 mins before appointment too

But taking a child to see her sister have a needle jabbed in her arm - very bad idea IMHO

Yorky · 08/02/2010 19:52

I have taken DS in with me to when DD has had jabs twice. He didn't really notice as there is a box of toys in the corner of the HVs office which is far more interesting than his sister crying again.

Original poster

Dysgu · 08/02/2010 19:53

Thank you. I am thinking the same. Originally my mum was going to be coming with us to look after DD1 in the waiting room - but she is ill herself now and cannot come.

Might just cancel in the morning.

Thank you.

OP posts:

Original poster

Dysgu · 08/02/2010 19:56

There are toys in the waiting room but not in the nurse's room which is down a corridor from the waiting room.

Hmm - still pondering best thing to do.

And I guess I won't know if I have done the right thing until DD1 has her jab next week and is either easy or awful!

Thanks for an alternative opinion.

Anyone else?

OP posts:

NoahAndTheWhale · 08/02/2010 19:57

I'm sure DS has been with me when DD has had injections. It doesn't seen to have had any effect on him. The only problem could be if you are worried about what the older child might do when your attention needs to bevon the older one but I don't remember any problems. DS is 22 months older than DD by the way.

hazeyjane · 08/02/2010 19:57

I have taken dd1 (3.11) in with me whenever I, or her younger sister (2.9) has needed and injection. She thinks it is hilarious when one of us has to have a 'spike'! When she had her swine flu jab she cried when it happened, I gave her a cuddle and some chocolate buttons, and then she asked me when dd2 was going to get spiked.

The times of the clinic mean that I have to take both of them.

Sidge · 08/02/2010 19:57

I give baby immunisations and IME there is no one rule for all!

Some older children are fascinated by the whole process; if they are told honestly what will happen and that their little brother/sister may cry for just a moment but will then be fine and have a big cuddle etc. Also MMR doesn't seem to be a particularly 'stingy' jab and many children don't even know they've had it.

Sometimes familiarity with the process makes their own vaccines easier as they sort of know what to expect - often pre-schoolers fears are due to an unknown scenario (I'm assuming you made a typo and DD1 is 3.5 yrs not 3.5 mths!)

heQet · 08/02/2010 19:58

Think you would be better off not taking her in. She's going to see her sister let out a HUGE wail and start crying. Then when you take her back and they come at her with the needle, she'll freak out!

gingernutlover · 08/02/2010 19:58

my dd has never screeched when she had an injection, they dont all react the same though

i would just take her to be honest, ask her to look after your handbag or give her something else interesting that she will look at for a bit.

taffetacat · 08/02/2010 19:59

I took DS in with me when DD had hers - he's a few years older - and bigged it up for him reminding him that when the needle went in it hurt a bit but you have to be reeeeeeally brave because its all over really quickly and will make sure you don't get nasty bugs.

I said he needs to show DD how to be brave, and to give her a big cuddle if she needs it. For me its important that he understands whats going on and that he's given an opportunity to step up to the plate as it were as a big brother.

I think its a great opportunity for some sibling bonding and also great timing to prepare her for next week's jabs.

Scottie04 · 08/02/2010 20:00

Gosh
I have never even thought not to take siblings! I have got 3 and no help so they all go everywhere with me. My oldest always watches - she used to come with me when I was having blood tests.
Just take a toy - sit her in a seat and she prob won't even see what is happening to the little one. Explain to her what is going to happen before you go in - a littel jab that stops her becoming ill in future....

nowwearefour · 08/02/2010 20:00

I had to take my dd1 in for my dd2's jabs. i didnt think twice about it. just distract her or move her to the otherside of the room or give her a box of raisins. they are pretty quick and if she has had one herself recently she'll know it isnt the end of the world. i think it is jsut fine and although you clearly a great mum for thinking about it i would just get on and give the jab.

LaaDeDa · 08/02/2010 20:01

My dd passed out when she saw her baby brother have his jabs. But then she is odd! She was about 3 1/2. She also passed out the other day (and puked) when after she'd had her verucca frozen. Bizarre!

hazeyjane · 08/02/2010 20:03

Could you buy her a favourite comic for when it is happening?

Also maybe have a little treat for both of them afterwards for both being brave.

midnightexpress · 08/02/2010 20:05

My two (4.2 and 3.0) had their SF jabs a couple of weeks ago and I had to take them in together. The doctor put ds1 on a chair facing away from us and gave him a pencil and paper to draw on while she did ds2. He was far too interested in what was going on to not look round, but it might be worth a try. In fact it was fine - neither of them kicked up a huge fuss apart from a quick 'ow'. I wouldn't worry about it, tbh.

Original poster

Dysgu · 08/02/2010 20:07

Now I am leaning towards taking her!

Have just spoken to my mum who said she always just handed us over to the nurse when we were kids and didn't even come in with us! (We are all in our 30s now.)

She wondered if that explains why we all grew up dreading injections of any type... so maybe DD1(who IS 3.5 years - sorry!) should have an idea about what is happening.

Thank you all.

OP posts:

daisydora · 08/02/2010 20:07

I have just taken my DD, 3.5 with me when my DS had his MMR.

The only thing she got upset by was the fact he had a plaster and she didn't.

Really, she never batted an eyelid, she was much more interested in all the things in the nurses room

fernie3 · 08/02/2010 20:10

I take mine in each time and they have been fine. My 5 year old had her preschool one at the same time that my baby had hers - baby went first then 5 year old now problems, baby yelped 5 year old was keen to show she was braver.

fernie3 · 08/02/2010 20:12

no problems not now problems

tassisssss · 08/02/2010 20:12

dd1 was just under 2 when dd2 was getting her baby jabs and she HATED watching it and got really upset (I'd thought she was so little it'd be OK!) so I always did jabs 1-1 after that!

However, I had to take my 2 to get swine flu at the same time the other week and was nervous about how that'd be. dd1 (now 3.5) was very calm and grown up about the whole thing, really not a big deal (and she's good at making a big deal out of things!). I think if you play it down, have chocolate or magazine or similar for the 3yo it'll probably be fine. I wouldn't mention it too soon, maybe just "we need to pop to the doctors after the library" (or whatever) and then when nearly there "dd2 has to have a wee jab in her leg, I hope she's a brave girl - breezy breezy".

smokinaces · 08/02/2010 20:13

I took both my boys in together when they had their SF jabs yesterday.

DS1 went first (3.5) and cried. DS2 (23m) looked at the lady with the needle with a raised eyebrow, shrugged and then got down. Not a mumour out of him.

If you need to take older DD with you - get her a cbeebies magazine or something, she'll be so engrossed in that she wont notice.

pooka · 08/02/2010 20:15

My dd (6) and ds (just 4) have been at some of the infant vaccinations for ds2. No ill effects - they were ghoulishly interested.

They are all 3 having the swine flu jab in march. Have been pondering how to play it. Might get dh to come too - dd will be fine, and ds2 (he won't like it, but will only be 6 months). I can see ds1 being a handful though.....

Loathe vaccination days - so stressful.

nancydrewrocks · 08/02/2010 20:17

When DD (then 3) watched DS1 have his jabs and was fascinated. The nurse was very reluctant to even allow her in the room and I was certainly given the impression that she thought me bringing her along was irresponsible but DD was absolutely fascinated and even watched - which was more than I could do!

She was first to soothe him and say "there there matey you're alright now"!

midnightexpress · 08/02/2010 20:19

Oh yes, agree with tassisssss about not telling them too soon - don't make a deal out of it at all, in fact, just be very matter of fact about it. I picked them up from nursery at lunchtime and just said right, we have to go and see the doctor now to get some injections. When ds1 asked why I just said, 'it's so that you don't get poorly' and that was fine.

defineme · 08/02/2010 20:29

My twins are given their injections together and so one has always seen the other's reaction before they receive their injection. What can I do about that-the surgery give them dual appointments and they'd not want to be left with anyone anyway.
It really is over in a minute even if they do cry. My 2 are just 5 and had their swine flu last week - it was fine and ds2 comforted dd when she cried. Ds1 has also been there for most of their appointments-it's not something I'd use a babysitter for.

I also take them when I have blood tests/ go to the dentists -you make a big deal out of these things and they become a big deal- it's just an everyday thing.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread