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Original poster

Preparing my 4YO for her vaccinations

13 replies

JapaneseMargaret · 15/09/2014 22:50

Just wondering if anyone has any general advice on how best to prepare her, without scaring her about the jab/needle.

What did you tell your DC when you took them for their jabs? How did you prepare them, etc?

I just don't want her to feel like she's been ambushed, but it's fine line between that and freaking her out!

Obviously I will have something ready afterwards to take her mind off it.

OP posts:
MadgeMak · 15/09/2014 22:54

No advice but following as my 3.5 year old is due hers soon. I have broached the subject as her baby brother had his recently, and have promised her a trip to the toy shop to pick something out afterwards but that suggestion has been met with tears and pleas for toy but "no 'jections pleeeeease mummy" Hmm

Artandco · 15/09/2014 22:58

I always explain why they need them. Explain measles / meningitis etc a little and why they need the vaccinations to prevent. Explain how you also had at same age etc

WanttogotoDisney · 15/09/2014 23:06

Don't pretend that it won't hurt. Explain it will be a little pinch but it will be very quick and then she will have smarties/choc buttons etc. afterwards. Role play giving jabs to each other so she knows what to expect.

Be prepared to hold her arm so she can't move and get the nurse to do the second jab quickly whilst she is still fussing over the first jab otherwise it just prolongs the agony.

One of my DD screamed louder than I had ever heard before. The other quietly sobbed. It's a rotten few minutes but in their best interests and both were over it within 5 minutes.

Fanjango · 15/09/2014 23:09

Just explain that it will hurt for a moment but keep them healthy. My youngest was so nonplussed by her boosters that she simply turned, after first jab, held her own arm still then said a very sweet "Thankyou" to the nurse. Not all children howl, one of my twins cried for a moment but none if my four left the surgery crying. Hth Smile

OverAndAbove · 15/09/2014 23:09

Yes, it hurts and they will cry, but the best approach is not to make a big deal of it and then quick distraction with a sweet afterwards. Explaining the injection helping fight germs that make us feel poorly always worked for my DC

InvaderZim · 15/09/2014 23:14

My DD is into all things medical and wanted to watch herself being jabbed... The nurse was not impressed. Hmm

Honestly, it helps that she had a toy doctor's kit and has been giving and recieving pretend jabs for a year. I think I told her there'd be a poke, and it was to stop herself from getting ill. Even still, the other week she complained to me about how she'd never have mumps (like a telly character).

If your DD is not afraid of a jab already, don't give her any indication that there's something to fear!

Original poster
JapaneseMargaret · 16/09/2014 11:09

Thanks all. :)

We're massively pro vaccination in this house, so no question about getting them, and the importance of, etc.

I have a 5YO DS who's been through the process, but he's a different kettle of fish altogether from his sister, and I barely even remember his! c. 18 months ago.

She's not afraid of it yet because she's blissfully ignorant of the entire process! So it's just about preparing her for it, without frightening her of the needle.

Thanks
OP posts:
SaveTheMockingBird · 16/09/2014 11:15

Is this the flu vaccine? I wasn't aware of another vaccination after 3yrs 4 monthsish?My DD is 4.

Original poster
JapaneseMargaret · 16/09/2014 11:43

MMR, whooping cough boosters, etc.

I'm not in the UK, so perhaps we do this round at a slightly different age.

OP posts:
Artandco · 16/09/2014 11:53

Pre school vaccine is given between 3 and starting school so assume it's that

PrincessOfChina · 16/09/2014 11:56

We've got DD's next week. I wasn't planning on mentioning it until the day before and then I'll just explain it's to stop her being poorly and she'll probably be a bit sore from it.

A plaster and sweeties go a long way.

feetheart · 16/09/2014 12:01

With both DD and DS we went to the sweet shop before the jabs and they were allowed to choose a whole packet/bar all for themselves that they could eat during/after the jabs. This was a much bigger deal than the jabs as I have always been mean Mummy and only ever bought one for the three of us to share up until that point :o

I did talk to them beforehand about the jabs, making it part of the whole 'getting bigger and starting big school' conversation and I was truthful when they asked if it was hurt.

Might be worth checking with the surgery as some now do it with two nurses so both arms are done at the same time - I can see the logic but it might be much more daunting to have two unknown grown-ups descend on you if you have been prepared for one.

sashh · 26/09/2014 10:28

I can remember my mum showing me how easily a needle could be pushed in to a sponge and how difficult it was pushing it in to a bar of soap.

She then showed me how a relaxed are was more like a sponge than a bar of soap and if I could relax it wouldn't hurt as much.

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