Horrible 1 year jabs experience

[Thompsc]

Just got back from the most awful experience. My 14 month old has just had her 1 year jabs (delayed due to illnesses and waiting list). The whole thing was horrific.

the nurse used the wrong needle so had to go in twice for the first jab, I must not have been holding her tight enough (I feel so frigging awful about this) and she wriggled and the needle caught her leg AND wrist and scratched it. Blood everywhere, all over me? All over her leg and wrist. Baby screamed like I’ve never heard before, the nurse couldn’t get within a metre of her to check the wrist cut which was pouring with blood (it was only a scratch in the end but it bled a lot!!!). My partner was white as a sheet and almost passed out. The nurse was trying to tell us everything was ok (which I’m grateful to her for, she stayed super calm) but even she looked stressed and at the end said that it was the most traumatic jabs she’d ever given.

Baby was just sobbing and clinging to me, she asked if we should just quickly get the other 3 done and I said yes because she was already so worked up and I did not want to put her through this all over again. The noises she made as the needles went in (1 in each limb) I think will haunt me forever. She was completely terrified and I feel like the world’s worst mum. I can’t stop crying even now (LO is upstairs napping, a bit sore I think from the scratch on her wrist/leg but overall probably ok).

I feel like I’ve traumatised her 😭 I am 1000% pro vaccination but I feel like a terrible parent right now. She was so petrified. It felt like a cruel to be kind, and if it was like a 30 second in and out I would be fine, but we were in there for about 15 minutes (felt like an hour!!) and the whole time she was screaming and in pain.

I don’t know what the point of this post is, I just feel so upset at the whole experience and sobbed as soon as I was in the car.

At my surgery they always have two nurses, so that for the one year vaccinations, they both quickly do the arms then the legs at the same time. The jabs are literally over in 15 seconds.

However, the nurses do need to impress upon the parents that they must hold the arms REALLY still because as you can see, mishaps occur.

What do you mean she used the wrong needle??? How can that happen? So did you child up getting jabbed five times?

It sounds rather unorganised. Not your fault though! Let's hope it fades from your baby's mind quickly🙂.

Oh that’s unfortunate. Give her an extra cuddle or let her nap on you today. It will make you both feel better.
You did the right thing carrying on and finishing the jabs. Otherwise you would have to go back and do it another day. This way it’s over until the next round in a few months. Hopefully she will have forgotten about it by then or have more understanding and you can do Peppa Pig goes to the dr type story to prep her first.
With my eldest I figured out that the best well to deal with jabs+covid tests was to hold him really tight and get it done quick, even if restraining him like that is unpleasant, it lets the de/nurse get the job done quicker so less stress and pain overall. I was definitely helped by his dr though, who treats loads of small children and is good at training their parents.
I bet your nurse is also feeling crap about the appointment too, and sitting their trying to think how to avoid it happening again.

That sounds really upsetting. I feel bad enough after jabs when they go smoothly do I can imagine that must have just been horrible.

Please remember that because you're such a brilliant mum you have just protected your baby against loads of nasty illnesses and potential future pain and disabilities. She won't remember this tomorrow but that protection is with her for years. X

Don't feel bad about it. The most important thing by far is that your DD will be protected against these diseases.

It's a few years since I took DD for hers but I remember being instructed to do a special hold that kids can't wriggle in. Think it was sideways on my knee and her lower arm under my elbow sort of thing.

Baby will forget this much sooner that you will!

Sorry you've had this experience OP. Jabs aren't nice for kids at any age but I think the 1 year ones are the worst because your child has a bit more awareness and there's 4 of them!

When I took DS for his a couple of years ago, the nurse told me to sit him sideways on my lap and hold tight. Well, clearly I didn't hold him tight enough because he suddenly kicked his leg out as she was pulling the needle out and it bent. The needles are designed to bend and not snap off, but I made her check it thoroughly anyway because DS was hysterical. His leg was extremely bruised the days after and bled a lot at the time. I felt awful.

Lots of cuddles will help! She won't remember it and you've done a good thing getting her vaccinated and protected against illnesses that could cause her a lot more harm in the future.

She’ll have forgotten about it by tomorrow and you should too. The noises won’t haunt you forever…

Sorry OP that sounds like a horrible experience!!

If it helps, I think the 1 year ones generally are not pleasant. I found that my DC were fairly unbothered by the jabs they had when tiny, but they absolutely wailed piteously at the 1 year ones and then were fearful of the doctor's surgery which was really upsetting/worrying. However, by the time they went for the three year jabs it was OK again and not as bad as I feared!

I remember my first DCs 1 year vaccinations and it was 12 years ago! It was all straightforward but he looked at me with a look of “why did you let her DO that to me?” before the wobbling lip and sobs started. So I can imagine it was awful because it’s not fun even when it’s normal.
i think they are the worst jabs though as the kids have an understanding of “what the heck is going on” but without really understanding why. By the next lot they can be told quite simply “you’re having a vaccine which will stop you getting very sick. It’ll hurt a little but only for a moment and then we’ll do (nice thing) afterwards”