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I'm so scared about preschool jabs tomorrow

9 replies

13lucky · 11/04/2010 14:14

Hi there, my dd has got her preschool jabs tomorrow and I'm so scared!! I know at some surgeries they do both jabs at the same time by two different nurses one in each arm...but they don't do this at my surgery so it's one injection followed by the next...I'm just so worried that she is going to be hysterical after the first one and then be kicking and screaming and difficult to keep her still for the next one. Has anyone got any advice for me please?! Just want tomorrow to be over (obviously I have lots of sweets and chocolate at the ready...but any other tips?).

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
InVinoFerretsAss · 11/04/2010 14:18

Actually my DD didn't flinch with hers! I was totally wound up and thought she would go bananas!!
I had talked to her about what a big brave girl she was going to be and the big treat we had planned for after she had her "scratchy appointment" and after all that she was really good and SO proud of herself afterward.

How old is she? Sometimes they really surprise you!

PacificDogwood · 11/04/2010 14:24

Hi, 13lucky, it'll be fine !

Do tell your DD that she is going to have jabs tomorrow, don't make a big deal out of it, but tell her.

Do NOT let her feel your anxiety, she will pick up on it and believe there is something to worry about and then get more anxious is anticipation herself which will lead to a more dramatic response which will confirm to you that it was awful which will make you dread even more the next time she needs anything doing (travel vacc, stitche, who knows?)

Do tell her it is going to be 2 little scratches or some such phrase that acknowledges that it hurts (it does!) but doesn't overstate how bad it is (as it is not that horrible)

Do tell her it is to help her not become ill. If she has had any recent episode of illness (a cold, tummy upset, chicken pox, anything really) use that to remind her how unpleasant it is to be ill and how worth it is to have '2 little scratches' to try and prevent illness.

Use bribery and rewards liberally - chocolate buttons and comic from newsagent was what I used with mine.

And do breathe!! Worse things happen at sea .
Oh, and HVs are usually v good at doing vaccinations quickly and with maximum distraction. Yes, she is likely to mind the second one more, but she will be fine.

Oh, and do make a big fuss about how Brave she had been (even when she wasn't!) and what A Big Girl she was now.

Do not NOT TELL her what she is going to the doctor's surgery for - it is awful and makes it harder for the children. And IMO gives them grounds to not trust their parent...

Good luck tomorrow .

13lucky · 11/04/2010 14:33

Thank you for all that...I know it sounds like I'm over worrying but my dd is VERY sensitive about things and often reacts in a very extreme way so I'm just trying to get as such advice as I can. I am going to tell her what we're going for but I was going to tell her in the morning rather than today as she tends to get worried about things and I don't want her thinking about it all night.

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PacificDogwood · 11/04/2010 14:41

You know your child best, so go with what feels right .

My DS1 was/still is Mr Hysteria, he very much overthinks things and gets himself in a tizzy over what could (but might never, and usually doesn't) happen. I found with him it was really helpful to just be there, be calm, be reassuring and ready with the hanky and -chocolate-- buttons, but equally not allow him to let his emotions spiral out of control IYKWIM.

DS2 on the other hand, did not give a toss .

I have had occasion in the past to give childhood vaccination and seriously, as InVino said, kids v often surprise you.

Hope you'll both be fine tomorrow.

MumNWLondon · 11/04/2010 20:45

bribery! my DC know when they have jabs i buy 2 packs of chocolate buttons. if they are perfectly behaved they get both, if they are ok behaved they get one and if they are terrible they get none.

my DD did not flinch at all at hers, so much wanted both packs of chocolate. even DS who would normally be terrible thought it was a great deal and sat still and hardly make a noise. now they both say they love jabs because of the chocolate.

ruddynorah · 11/04/2010 20:51

one of those sweetie necklaces did the trick with dd.

woodforthetrees · 11/04/2010 21:00

My DS is quite a wuss but we went a few months ago and I told him that the nurse wanted to have a little look at his arm - I sat him on my knee and then she did the injection quick as a flash in both arms - before he'd realised what she was up to it was over. He did cry but loves to tell everyone what a brave boy he was. I explained to him that he was a very lucky boy being able to have injections that other children couldnt' have and that they would keep him safe from getting some nasty things...he seemed satisfied with that ! He also loves watching his little sister have hers when we go.

13lucky · 12/04/2010 13:31

Thanks for all the replies guys...turns out you were right and she did surprise me and she was amazing...didn't even cry after the first jab and only a little bit after the second jab and stopped really quickly. I couldn't believe it but was so relieved and feel like a weight has been lifted! Cheers everyone.

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PacificDogwood · 12/04/2010 15:25

Aaw, glad it went well

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