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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Pre-School Immunization advice please!

19 replies

Hogiabach · 14/04/2008 13:01

My DS1 id due to have his pre-school boosters next week, I'm so worried and have no idea how to prepare him . Do I tell him where we're going and explain what will happen, or do I say nothing.

I'm dreading it he's coming up to 3 1/2 and is a very sensitive little lad - any advice please.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Meandmyjoe · 14/04/2008 13:07

Ah I have no idea but I will be intersted as to what answers you get. I would like to know for future reference! Perhaps tell him but just briefly and no too far in advance as you don't want him to worry for days! I wouldn't go into much detail.

littlepinkpixie · 14/04/2008 13:11

My DD was 4 when she had her pre school jabe.
I did tell her in advance, as I thought if i didnt i might lose her trust, and have her worry that any trip to the health centre might mean a jab. I didnt build it up though, just told her in a matter of fact way the day before.
I told her that she had to have an injection, which was to prevent her from getting ill, and that was what children did before they started school (she was keen to go to school). I said that it might hurt a bit, but not much.
My DD handled it well

Sugarmagnolia · 14/04/2008 13:12

I would definitely tell him but not too far in advance - maybe that morning. Explain that he needs to get some medicine that will help keep him from getting sick, that he has to get the medicine in a needle and it will be a little bit sore for a minute but it will be over very quickly. And definitely promise a treat for afterwards!

Original poster

Hogiabach · 14/04/2008 13:25

It's such a dilemma, he has started to be very anxious about the slightest thing, cries every time I take him to nursery school - I think it's related to becoming more independent after the birth of DS2 who is 3 months old.

If I tell him he needs the jabs to go to school he will not be impressed as he'd much rather not go.

Thanks sooo much for the prompt replies.

OP posts:

HonoriaGlossop · 14/04/2008 14:12

I wouldn't warn too much in advance for such a sensitive lad. When you get there might even be enough; tell him then you're there to have a jab to stop him getting ill. Certainly tell him before it happens, but with an anxious child I think telling him the day before, or even on the morning, could just be torture.

And definitely agree with sugar, a treat afterwards has got to be done!

lalaa · 14/04/2008 14:14

Also, my dd found that her arm hurt more afterwards and it was because of the pesky plasters. If I had another child and we were doing it again, I'd whip them off as soon as I made it back to the car.

MilaMae · 14/04/2008 20:17

Told my twins they were having special medicene(sp??? been a long day) in their arm and said the nurse gives you a special treat.

Took them in individually, as the sleeve was rolled up produced a tube of Smarties, they were so gobsmacked as only ever had a funsized mini box before that they didn't even notice the injection.

My 2 had 1 in each arm, so swiftly re-positioned them so 2nd could be done v quickly. not a whimper and mine are humungous drama queens re pain.

Treat as it happens IMHO, good luck!!!!

muppetgirl · 14/04/2008 20:22

I told ds 1 as he had already seen ds 2 have his done (baby ones)

He hated it and screamed the place down but I thought I should tell him as I always try to prepare him for things in advance as he reacts very badly to unknown situations.

He then hid behind the chair when it was ds 2's turn to have his final baby jabs shouting 'no mummy, don't let them do it!'

He was still screaming 15 mins later, the baby (who had had 3 jabs) was making no noise at all.

My friend told her son and he watched the needle go in and then told the nurse 'I've got bugs in me....'

muppetgirl · 14/04/2008 20:23

...oh, and ds 1 kept the plasters on for a week...he refused to let me take them off him

bergentulip · 14/04/2008 20:24

My little boy is also a quiet, sensitive little soul... but he was quite excited by it. He had been there for a few visits when DS2 was getting his 2/3/4mth jabs, and saw it as 'his moment'.

He sat there very quietly, looking very stiff upper lip, nurse gave him a plaster with a smiley face on it, and it was 2 days before I was allowed to peel that off!

Not a sound from him.
Have been back again today, another jab, same behaviour.

Just build up to it that morning/ night before, saying how exciting it will be/ "Wow, can you imagine? They put the medicine right into your arm!... lucky you... etc...."

Sidge · 14/04/2008 20:32

I'm a practice nurse and in my experience it's much better to warn them what's going to happen than to just trot them into a treatment room and stick 2 needles in their arm. I think that creates a distrust of nurses and the GP surgery, so you could end up with massive screaming fits even just popping in for something else!

I would tell him either just before you leave or as you get there, and be very matter of fact about it. I tell pre-schoolers that now they are big boys/girls they have to have an injection to stop them getting poorly when they go to big school. I tell them it will sting for a moment but then it's all done and they can go home. I agree a treat is a good idea, whether chocolate, a comic or a new car or whatever.

I also think that the calmer the parent is, the better it is for the child. They really pick up on parents' anxieties. Please don't say things like "I know it's horrid" or "the nurse will give you a nasty injection" as then you are bound to have an hysterical child!

Remember to hold him firmly, whizz him round for the second one before he's had time to realise he's had the first and have a big cuddle afterwards. Then share some chocolate!

Original poster

Hogiabach · 14/04/2008 21:03

Ok, I've decided that a special treat is the way to go....and I'll tell him on route to the surgery.

Why is it soo difficult when dealing with your own LO.
I work as a CBT therapist dealing with and advising parents on such issues, but seem to hit a brick wall when it comes to my own

Thanks for all your replies

OP posts:

Nanoon · 14/04/2008 22:32

I took DS1 for his today. I told him the other day that his appointment was booked (handily DS2 has just had his baby ones)and i told him it might hurt a little bit but would be over very quickly and we would go to the park after. While the nurse was injecting him i distracted him by alking about what er were going to do at the park and it worked a treat - not a peep out of him, bless his heart.

Lazylou · 14/04/2008 22:37

I worried about this at the time too and decided not to tell DD what was happening but she knew something was up because DH had to come with us. I'm pretty ok with everything else, healthwise, but jabs are a no-no for me (even though I'm not frightened of needles myself. In fact, I would rather have needles than tablets ).

She was really very good and more pleased with the sticker she got at the end of it. Hope it goes ok.

Original poster

Hogiabach · 15/04/2008 12:58

Thanks to all you lovely ladies for the much needed advice

OP posts:

sunnysmiler · 05/02/2009 00:30

Hi, I know it is a while since anyone has posted anything on this particular topic, But as my youngest daughter is having her pre-school boosters next week I wanted to share with you the fact that you can now buy a cream called Emla(a local anaesthetic) from your chemist. You cover the area where the needle will be going with the cream, at least an hour before and then put a clear dressing on top. (You can actually buy a kit with the dressings in and most chemists will order it in for you if they don't already have some in stock). The cream numbs the area, thus making the injections almost painless. This product has only recently been made available without perscription, but unfortunately so few parents know about it. I already have had to go through the upset of injections with my older two children and I am delighted that I can actually make this experiance for my youngest less painful and scary. I only wish something like this had been available years ago. I spoke to the nurse this morning and she was delighted I was going to use Emla on my daughter and said she wished more parents would do the same. I am 100% sure that the reason most parents don't is because the don't know about it. So please pass this information on to any parents you know who are facing the innoculation upset. Do be aware that it can only be used from 1 year upwards though, Best wishes to you all, I hope this information helps someone and I will be sure to let you all know how it goes next week xxx

pushkar · 05/02/2009 05:54

as a mother of a child with autism i suggest you do single jabs do not do any of the combined ones eg dipheria tetnus polio or mmr they have thimerosol in them which causes mercury to leak into the blood stream
there is also a nutrtionalal/ homeopathic way to do it you could contact the nutri centre for details of a book or nutritionalist in children www.nutricentre.com

asteamedpoater · 05/02/2009 13:09

I thought thiomersal as a preservative had now been removed from children's immunisations?...

MilaMae · 05/02/2009 13:20

I didn't have singles but didn't have the whole lot in 1 day either(far too much imho). My dd had the same 3 jabs but on on 3 diff (2 weeks in between each)days.

I explained and took Smarties for point of impact . She was fine even on the 3rd appointment. I appreciate this might not be ideal for all kids though.

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