Should I get numbing cream for my 2 year old late vaccination?

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Due to a number of reasons I was unable to give my child the 16 week and 12month vaccinations. They're now 2 and need then asap but I don't know how they'll take it and probably will never go to the drs again after this haha! Does anyone think it's a good idea to use numbing cream on them beforehand? Or have done?

I don’t think it would be needed as for the pre school ones at 3 they don’t use any and they are similar vaccinations . They are done so quickly as well !

Well it can't do any harm surely?

They’ll be fine, it’s over and done with in seconds to a few minutes - no numbing cream needed. They get vaccinations at 3 years old too, no one gets numbed then 🤷‍♀️

I used numbing cream for my daughter, blood tests recently, shw didn't feel a thing. I wish I knew about numbing cream for the vaccinations.

I think numbing cream would only numb the epidermis, the top layer of skin where tattoo needles penetrate (1-2mm) I imagine a vaccination needle would go much deeper so your dc would still feel a small amount of pain.

I don't think numbing cream will help as it numbs the skin and the injection goes into the muscle.

I think making as little a deal of it as possible is the way so no faffing about with cream. 3 year olds get their pre-school jabs without cream all the time. It's not a big deal.

It'll be fine without.

For those arguing about why so late - my DD had hers late because she was immunocompromised in her early life.

Probably would not need it but Emma cream can be purchased.

Emla not Emma.

My son had numbing cream at 1 year old for blood tests. He screamed bloody murder.

Just take a wee chocolate bar along hidden in your pocket and tell them it will hurt a little and then they'll get a nice surprise afterwards for being so brave.

I think the issue is the numbing cream takes a while to work so makes the whole experience more protracted. And if you bought it you mighrt not put it in the right place for where they want to do the jabs?

I think best to just get it over with as quickly as possible, hug them very tightly and lots of kisses/chocolate buttons aftwards. As pp have said, they get more jabs at 3 and a bit and aren't routinely offered numbing cream for those.

It won't help because it won't numb the muscle, and is more likely to make a big deal out of it. Also, two is really borderline whether they do the leg or the arm.

I am needle phobic so always struggled with my kids vaccinations, but I heard a brilliant tip for the younger DC - basically explain to them shortly before "You're going to have an injection today. It will hurt a little bit but that won't last long. It will feel like this <poke them with your nail> and it will be over by the time we count to ten. Afterwards you can have a chocolate button." Then help them count if they are nervous about it.

Total gamechanger. I did so much reassurance with my eldest because I think I had built it up in my head as this awful thing for him and he really struggled and was so upset and bothered by them. The younger ones were just like "That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be!" and because of that they immediately got loads of praise and affirmation that they were so brave and did so well, so future jabs haven't been a drama either. That was even for DS2 who is extremely sensitive and worries about things. In fact he was more bothered by the plaster.

DS1 is now a teenager and was still a bit worried about it when he had his boosters/covid jabs but the nurses sort of teased him about it gently and he agreed with them that actually, no it wasn't that bad after all.

Won't work because they're intramuscular injections. Can help for blood tests but not vaccines as too deep. Distraction techniques are your best bet and maybe a little treat for when it's done. The pain isn't so bad as its over quickly, it's the shock that gets them. So if you can divert their attention to something else quickly, they'll be over it sooner.

Dd had hers at 3yo. She sternly told the nurse 'that wasn't very nice!'. Then all forgotten..

I would only used (and have used) numbing cream for blood tests. Vaccinations are quicker and less painful.

My DD is very dramatic with pain haha. Also she's getting 4 hence the idea of numbing cream! And for those asking why it's not cos I'm an anti vaxxer. There are other reasons

I would give some calpol an hour before.

Calpol before and chocolate buttons for distraction!

Calpol before hand, role play with teddy's/dolls so she knows what to expect. Take a treat along for afterward. Be bold and confident, if you get anxious about how she might react she will notice and respond to your anxiety.

Nope, you’re making way too big a deal of it all. Give them a cuddle after. They’ll be fine.

Emla cream can be a bit itchy when it's applied until it goes numb. It's a judgement call, but the discomfort from Emla can last longer than the pain from an injection.

It is probably the worst age (from a parent pov), too young to understand, but old enough to know it hurts, but cuddle her tight so that she doesn't wriggle and she'll be fine. Chocolate or a treat after is a good plan.

I decided not to use the emla in the end and took lots of treats. It was not easy (FIVE needles) and she's got great vocabulary so was screaming and begging the nurse to stop "PLEASE NURSE NO HURT ME AGAIN PLEASE, MUMMY TELL HER PLEASE" but it's over after an hour of crying and haribos !! Haha! Thank you everyone for the advice.

Bless her! What a good girl. I actually love it when little ones tell me what they really think of me.

Hope she (and you) have a good evening. You probably deserve a brave mummy sticker too!