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Original poster

booster jabs for dd tomorrow - dd 3.6 advice on preparation please!

18 replies

Annabel1 · 01/04/2009 22:39

Thinking of the hoest approach - just before we leave to go to surgery, explain what we're going for, that it will hurt but why we're doing it. Anyone got experience of this being successful or of other approaches that were. Haven't mentioned it til now cos didn't want her to be thinking about it for ages but thought that should say something before we left so she doesn't think we're having jabs every time we go to doctors.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

Annabel1 · 01/04/2009 22:39

meant honest approach - not hoest!

OP posts:

andiem · 01/04/2009 22:41

I have always been honest with ds1 am a children's nurse so know that lying is never good. I tell him it will scrtach a bit but then we will go and have a nice treat. I also explained why that it was to make sure he didn't get poorly form certain bugs has always worked and he has sat still but gone ouch!

CompareTheMeerkat · 01/04/2009 22:45

I can't remember exactly what I said with DS when he had his - I think I said something like he was having an injection, it would hurt a little bit and it would stop him getting some illnesses.

He was fine.

I suppose DD (3.6 as well) will have hers some time soon...

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kitkatqueen · 01/04/2009 22:46

I waited until just before dd started school and told her that she needed it so she could be a big girl and go to school, it would just be a little prick in her arm and she could have a lolly and a sticker afterwards if she was a big brave girl.

She walked in rolled up her sleeve and said "i'm starting big school in september"

one squeak a lolly and a sticker later it was all sorted

Good luck!

Helennn · 01/04/2009 22:48

My dd did not even flinch, let alone cry. I was amazed, so please don't get too worried about it.

Original poster

Annabel1 · 01/04/2009 22:48

oh that reminds me - when yours had theirs was it one jab or two? Thanks for answers - my gut said honesty but wanted to check

OP posts:

Trinityrhino · 01/04/2009 22:50

I totally agree with the honesty
dont try and say it wont hurt becasue it does
promise lolly/sweet/choccie for being brave

nbee84 · 01/04/2009 23:00

I remember this from 17 years ago! Had dd all prepared - she had injection with no probs, not even a whimper.

BUT, (not sure they do it this way now) she was then presented with a sugar cube with the polio drops on and there was no way we could get her to eat it as sugar was bad for her teeth

Blondeshavemorefun · 02/04/2009 16:30

i took my dc 3.6 last week for pre school booster and mmr booster (he also got his balls checked by doctor)

i explained on the day that we were going to doctors for an injection so that he could go to big school and not get ill

i said that his big sister 6 had it,as did i - and that everyone has to

i gave calpol 30mins before injection, he was fine going there, first one was ok - 2nd arm did cry a little bit as needle went in and I took a lolly that he choose with me, and that helped - as well as a sticker

also gave calpol before he went to bed 3hrs later

came out in slight measley rash week later - just as doctor said he might

all fine now - always be honest

amidaiwish · 02/04/2009 16:32

i didn't say anything til i was on the way there
just said you need your injection so you can go to school in sept etc.. it will be a quick ouchy then all ok but i've got a bag of chocolate for you so you'll be fine.

bag of choc buttons handed over on entering the room. too busy eating the buttons and barely noticed the injection.

zipzap · 03/04/2009 23:44

Hmmm. This is making me wonder - I have DS1 who is now nearly 4 and usually jab reminders come through with pre-booked appointments from the doctors, so I haven't had to pro-actively remember to do anything about them.

How many jabs are they supposed to get - and is it a pre-school thing or a 3.5yrs thing?

Just panic-ing now that I am bad mummy and haven't sorted out jabs that I should have done .

sorry to hijack thread but thanks for the reminder it has given me for jabs!

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/04/2009 14:02

its a pre school thing and you normally get a letter after your child is over 3.4, as some children start school at 4.1 if birthday is end of august

as you cant be 5 when you start school

my dc will be 4 at end of sept, so he misses this school year, and starts sept 10 so he had his early, but as your son is almost 4, therefore he will be going to school this sept o9, so he should have already had it

i would ring the doctor and check

ellielou02 · 05/04/2009 22:22

I was honest with my DD explained about a little scratch then she would get a treat after that she could choose (within reason) sorry to say this but she became hysterical, I wish I had never told her, I honestly thought if I explained it she would be fine but no, sorry. Not much help

Sawyer64 · 05/04/2009 22:32

Think it depends on your DC.If you know they get upset and worried easily,say only the minimum.
If you have a "thinker",a DC that likes to think it all out etc.explain it all for a couple of days beforehand.

If you aren't sure,best tell them the bare minimum,8just8 before you go in.

But agree with others always tell the Truth,it does hurt but then stops hurting straightaway.

As a Practice nurse I give alot of injections,and generally all of the preschoolers have been reasonably calm,a little upset when the needle goes in,but easily comforted and distracted with lollipops,and stickers etc.

The odd one or two is very distressed and "milks it" a little,but I'm sure this isn't unusual behaviour to the mum,iykwim.

Original poster

Annabel1 · 07/04/2009 15:42

thanks all. Truthfully, dd was very upset after jab having been very calm beforehand and choosing magazine for afterwards. She debriefed with lots of people how much she didn't like the medicine in her arm. She was also a bit upset about the opticians that afternoon, but in a way it was good because I could explain that nothing the optician did would hurt which since nothing did hurt I think it reinforced the "mummy tells the truth" message. I am glad I warned her it would hurt - there was no way for her to know really what that meant and it was still a shock but at least she knows she can trust me the next time we go to the doctors and I say it won't hurt.

OP posts:

Sawyer64 · 07/04/2009 15:51

Glad it wasn't too traumatic for her,or for you

Original poster

Annabel1 · 07/04/2009 16:01

Sorry to sidetrack, but Sawyer - please can I pick your brain on how to get oral antibiotics into a five month old who's had nothing but breast? Sorry if that's too cheeky. Think more going in now but am worried that with the amount he spits out that he won't be getting enough. (Will transfer the thread if this is very bad form)

OP posts:

Sawyer64 · 07/04/2009 20:29

Not at all.Not sure I can help though,maybe the BF Guru's here will have some tips.

Could you not express some milk and mix it.I always had more success using a syringe and squirting really small amounts into their cheek inside.

I also had one of those Dummies you can open the back of and load with medicine,my DS/DD1 would suck most of it down before they realised!

Some babies don't mind a dummy on the odd occasion,even when they BF.Before they made these,I used a Sterile teat and put the medicine in this for DS (13)

But if its the taste,try mixing with milk.

Quite often if the medicine is "shot" towards the back,he might splutter or cough but then swallows,if its only a minute amount its difficult to spit out.

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