Injections - any tips when they're old enough to refuse?

[janinlondon]

Anyone got any ideas about how to cope with this? The nurse was useless. Suggested "a little treat" - as if any treat is going to be big enough to allow someone to stick needles in her. Her second suggestion was telling her that all her friends have had it. DOH! They're the ones who told her about it in the first place. And to make matters worse, she needs three sets of jabs. No way will we get her in there three times. She sees the surgery and starts going ballistic. And I do mean ballistic. I can't get her out of the car by myself and even with DH helping we are carrying a screaming twisting kicking mass across the road and into the surgery. There were three adults trying to hold her down on the floor last time. Any tips? She'll be 4 in two weeks.

Perhaps you could speak to your HV. Maybe she could do them at home. They are all nurses to begin with so she would be qualified.

It does sound tough, and she's obviously got herself into a real state. We explained to ds1 & ds2 exactly what an immunisation is, and how important it is to prevent illnesses. We were quite straight with them that it would hurt, but it wouldn't hurt for long. Also, dh had recently needed a jab too.

Is your tetanus up to date? Could you get her to come along with you to watch you have a jab, promising her that she doesn't need hers then. And then take her (at a later date) to have hers?

Or is there another nurse? The nurse at our clinic was fantastic, and could jab any child. She was brilliant at distracting one. DS2 had a badge on with a green train, and she blithely asked "I like your Thomas badge!", then jabbed him whilst he was indignantly replying "That's not Thomas: that's Percy!" He never cried at all.

If you have reached a real impasse, timing is not crucial for these jabs. Have a chat with your HV and agree to postpone it for 6 months or so, and try again.

Hope you find something that helps.

I'd see if someone can come and do them at home. Maybe even your GP? Do nurses do home visits?

Thanks everyone. I think we'll have to do the kicking and screaming again. We don't have a HV and the GPs don't come out!

Batters you're a genius. We can get two done next Monday (you'll hear the screaming from your place) at the GPs, and then take her to the primary care clinic in a month or so for the third one, which may make it a little easier. At least we might get her in the door that way. Did yours have to have three sets of jabs all at once? I can't work out how this has happened. I've never missed any or anything. Is it just some sadistic NHS policy to stab them three times in the space of a week? I'm dreading Monday.

message withdrawn

Oh god, I've got to get my 3.5 year old 'done' in half an hour. I've told her but I think she's forgotten. She will FREAK....AAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHH.