Do I tell my 3 year old about vaccinations?

[Manchestermummax3]

Good evening.

Just as the title suggests really. 3 year old is having his vaccinations next week. Obviously was too young to be told when he was a baby.
Do I explain? (I'm not sure lying is the right answer either)
Like a lot of 3 Yr olds, he's very switched on & inquisitive. He will be asking why we are at the doctors etc.
I don't want to scare him but don't want to lie & him mistrust me in future.

Thanks in advance 🙂

Can't help but following along as we'll be in the same situation in a couple of months.

I told all four of mine the morning of the jabs before we were heading the doctors. Told them they were getting a sort of medicine to stop them being poorly and they could have a special treat afterwards as a reward.

I told mine what they were and why. And told them it would hurt a little bit when the nurse does it but it won't hurt for very long at all and I will give them a big cuddle while it happens to help. No tears at all. Had I not told them it would have just been a horrible pain and they didn't know why and if it would happen again.

Tell them!!!!

Upbeat/breezy approach.
if you are anxious about it try really hard to mask not transmit your anxiety to the child,

Think about your language “the nurse is going to give you some special medicine in your arm to help keep you healthy” is a lot better than “you are getting a big needle in your arm”. As HCPs we try to be factual but neutral ( or even positive). “You might feel something now” vs “sharp scratch” but if a kid actually asks me if it will hurt I usually say they will notice something, but it’s over really quickly and the advantages of having it done are X,Y,Z.

Make a plan about what you will do afterwards - Doing well at something like this deserves a treat - trip to the park, hot chocolate, extra long story time. Whatever presses your kids buttons!!!

timing-wise younger kids do better generally with less notice than older kids so I would be inclined to just do it on the way/ before you left the house to go (although I notice the gosh admission advice says day before, but I think a vaccine appointment needs less fuss)

https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/your-hospital-visit/coming-gosh-day-or-inpatient-admission/coping-hospital-stay-operation-or-procedure/ Targeted at hospital stays but might be useful.

I would give them as much info as possible in an age appropriate way. Sometimes with things like this there are good videos on iPlayer from CBeebies shows, or some good vids on YouTube (make sure you check anything first obviously). But I would only tell them like the day before or something as time is confusing and long at 3 and there's no point in discussing it much earlier in advance.

I'm sure there's a bing episode. Think we watched that and then I said anyway we are off to the doctor's for your special medicine. Then afterwards I offered to buy anything she wanted from the toy shop and she chose some £1 piece of tat.

I’ve sent DH to take all ours for their 3 year old vaccinations precisely for this reason 😂 I’m very stoic and factual in every other facet of parenting but the 3yo jabs I just can’t face. He says ‘stops you getting ill’, big cuddle (pin them down as the nurse shows you) and a treat straight afterwards. They always come home not crying so can’t be too bad!

I told mine that they were going to have some important medicine that would stop them getting some nasty illnesses.

The medicine was a bit different because it goes in an arm or a leg rather than the mouth. It would be quick but sometimes it felt a bit like a little pinch as it goes in. Once it was done they could have a little pack of chocolate buttons.

I was holding the pack of chocolate buttons while the injection was being done which helped distract them a bit.

I believe in telling children the truth but in a child friendly, gentle way.

I did yeah.. then took him for ice cream. I know people that didn't and I think it's awful to just throw them into it confused and not understanding why they're getting hurt

I told him and we watched the bing episode beforehand and he was fine, no tears at all and very excited about the stickers at the end!

Was also going to recommend Bing!

Mine felt quite betrayed because, although I did tell her, because she thought it would be like the flu nasal spray... ah well!

I told him that day. Not days beforehand. But I did gently warn him and do you know what he was a little trouper, I was so proud of how brave he was!!!! He did say ow but it was over really quick and I don't think he cried. He got a sticker from the nurse then we did something nice.

I told DD last week - as with PP's told them about the special medicine to stop her getting poorly (though having just got over chicken pox and a sickness bug her response was - 'but I've already been poorly' 🤦‍♀️). And that it might hurt a bit, but I'd be there. The nurse gave her a windmill to blow, and she didn't even flinch.

Interestingly, afterwards, the nurse asked if I'd told her what to expect and was surprised I had as she said a lot of the time kids do better if they don't know what's coming. I thinks child dependent though and I know DD likes to know what's happening in advance.

Ds has had many medical procedures and I have always been open with him about it.

for vaccines a simple “they are going to give you some special medicine in your arm to help keep you safe. It might hurt a little bit but then it will be fine and we will go and get (inset small treat!)

Yes definitely tell him, and that it will hurt but only for a minute. Both of mine had a little cry and then were fine by the time we were at the car.

I told mine that she needs to get some medicone amd there will be a needle, sharp scratch that will last a second but its nothing to worry about. We also watched YouTube videos of people getting them. To this day she has never cried or been scared of getting them. The nurses are always very impressed with her

I told DD she was getting magic medicine in her arms, and yes, it would hurt, but only a little and only for a little bit.

I think I told her in the car on the way there, so not making a big deal of it, just telling her where we were going.

Thank you everyone for your advice & experiences.

He had the flu vaccine (spray) just a couple months ago, so the special medicine bit I don't think will faze him.
He's book mad & there's a book shop & a libary over the road so that's a great idea for a little treat..... there's also a Mcds & mummy is partial to a chicken nugget herself 🤣
Bing isn't a thing in our house but I'll look it up & I think I remember a Dr Rang on ceebies doing something about it.

Yes, but carefully and not in advance

Just tell them shortly before you set off that you’re going to the doctor’s to get some special medicine that’ll help keep them well. Once there, say that it’s going to be an injection which means the nurse will put it in to their arm/leg with a needle, and that it’ll feel like a hot scratch but it’ll only last a few seconds. And that it’s a really normal thing, and they can have a treat afterwards (our doctor was opposite a newsagents and I used to take mine to get sweeties of their choosing afterwards)

The important thing to to be bright, breezy and totally matter of fact. You don’t want to make a big deal of it, or they might catch an idea that it’s something to worry about.

Also, if you get eg a flu jab, if they’re old enough to sit nicely, take them with you, so they also get to see you receiving jabs and how it really is no big deal

This!

Mine went with dad and he said they could choose a treat for after in the cafe. First snd last time ever DS is allowed a donut for breakfast 🤣 🍩

Of course you tell him and why. It will sting for a little while but will then stop you from becoming really poorly with some illnesses.

Our nurse used to not give them unless they were told before they arrived at the doctors. She said that in her experience, children were far more upset, and often got a fear of the doctor through not knowing whether they were having an injection, if they weren't told.

You tell them they'll have a little injection which may hurt a little, then they can have a plaster and you'll go and do xxx. Then after they've had it done you play up how brave them are and get a treat. They remember the treat and that they were brave far more.

I told mine it would help stop him getting poorly and give him super powers. He was over the moon!

Tell him in the morning.
Cbeebies must have covered this. I wonder if there's an old 'Get well soon' with Dr Ranj?

Ds2 used to have the flu jab, in the days before the nasal spray, and also had his usual boosters etc. Also the Swine flu jab.

I always told him in advance, and we had a special routine. Jelly Tots and strawberry milk. He'd be holding the bag of sweets, but couldn't put one in his mouth until the jabs were done.