3yo booster jabs help!

[Jacksmybaby]

Have to take DS (3.9) for his booster jabs next week and am stressing about it. Am terrified of needles myself and don't want to pass that fear on to him. Don't know whether to tell him in advance what's going to happen or to spring it on him when we get to the doctors'. How did your DCs cope with these jabs and how did you deal with it? Did you have to physically hold them down kicking and screaming (this is also a slight worry as will have a 4 week old DD and a c section scar which is still quite sore, and DS is pretty big and strong ).

Ok I know I sound like a complete wuss but any tips or reassurance would be good!

no kicking or screaming with either of my boys, but the nurse did ask me to hold them firmly.

Is there someone who can go with you?
If not then IMO you should ring the surgery and explain that you have a fear of needles and a very young baby with you and then ask if it be possible for another member of staff to be in the room to help with your DS.

Our practice nurses are fab in situations like this.

Make sure your DS hasn't got a cold prior to going - either beginning, middle or end of one. Make sure he is fit and healthy before getting it done. There is a wide range of ages that this booster can be given, so waiting until he is fit will not be an issue.

I did explain beforehand to my son, I didn't think it was fair to spring it on him.

I just explained he would be having a little jab, it would just hurt for a second while the nurse did it and might be a little bit sore, and I explained what it was for.

I then told him he could have a thomas train afterwards as a reward for being a big brave boy, thomas train was ready in my bag along with some choc buttons.

It was fine, very quick, no holding down neccesary, I just held him firmly on my lap (so make sure you take a pram or car seat for baby to sit in) nurse did one side, then we quickly turned him around and did the other arm.

If you don't like the neddle look away, I'm not keen myself so I didn't look. sorry if you mean you REALLY hate them.

My middle son actually had some of his baby jabs at the same appointment, he was 3/4 months old at the time, it really wasn't that bad.

Thanks for the replies.

I have told him that we are going to the doctors for some injections, that it is medicine but it goes in his arm instead of in his mouth, and it is to stop him from getting poorly.

When he asked how it goes in his arm I showed him a syringe we have at home (without a needle - the kind you give babies medicine with) and we practised giving each other injections in the arm - he thought it was quite a fun game!

So I'm just praying he doesn't notice the needle on the end of the syringe when we actually get there / it doesn't hurt that much / he doesn't think I've tricked him by not mentioning the needle/pain!!

Well we had them this morning and they were fine - there were 2 nurses and they did both jabs at the same time which was a great idea as I was worried he would freak out after the 1st one and refuse to have the 2nd! He did squeal and cry but only for a couple of minutes and I downplayed it saying "oh did it sting a little bit? Never mind it's over now".

No more jabs now til he's 13 hurray!