Time for shots

[bohman]

So, my kids are getting their flu shot tomorrow. I don't have much to worry about with the 2 year old, but the 5 year old is a complete drama queen when it comes to needles. I'm expecting a pretty good freak-out when she's told that she's getting a shot. She even got scared when she saw me get a flu shot one time.

Anybody have advice on how to make her less panic-stricken? I never had a problem with shots as a kid, I don't know what tactic to use beyond ignoring the freak-out, and possibling investing in a straight-jacket. Can you get one to fit a skinny 5 year old?

 

[puggymom]

Can she get the flu mist?

 

[baileydog]

Mis leading title, I thought it was time for shots of maybe the jello kind. .

 

[TGB]

My kids pediatrician, Dr. Sheth prescribed a numbing cream for my son when he was little. I would apply it an hour before his appointment and when they stuck the needle he never felt anything. There is the flu mist as well.

 

[desertrat]

So, my kids are getting their flu shot tomorrow. I don't have much to worry about with the 2 year old, but the 5 year old is a complete drama queen when it comes to needles. I'm expecting a pretty good freak-out when she's told that she's getting a shot. She even got scared when she saw me get a flu shot one time.

Anybody have advice on how to make her less panic-stricken? I never had a problem with shots as a kid, I don't know what tactic to use beyond ignoring the freak-out, and possibling investing in a straight-jacket. Can you get one to fit a skinny 5 year old?

Nope. My daugher was the same way, I had to restrain her while she was screaming bloody murder up until she was about 10 or so. Funny thing? She broke her arm at about 8 years old and barely cried about it after the initial pain wore off 15 minutes or so. Go figure. We had guys in boot camp faint after getting shots.

 

[bohman]

Mis leading title, I thought it was time for shots of maybe the jello kind. .

Sorry. Although, if this appointment doesn't go well I may go find myself some liquid painkiller after they get dropped off at school. It wouldn't be the first time kids have driven somebody to drink.

Can she get the flu mist?

I hadn't thought of that. I'll ask.

My kids pediatrician, Dr. Sheth prescribed a numbing cream for my son when he was little. I would apply it an hour before his appointment and when they stuck the needle he never felt anything. There is the flu mist as well.

I was thinking about asking for some sort of topical anesthetic. If one shot could be relatively painless, it might help her attitude a lot for future shots.

Nope. My daugher was the same way, I had to restrain her while she was screaming bloody murder up until she was about 10 or so. Funny thing? She broke her arm at about 8 years old and barely cried about it after the initial pain wore off 15 minutes or so. Go figure. We had guys in boot camp faint after getting shots.

See, that's what I'm worried about. I'm hoping that the psychological tactics will help enough that I don't need to restrain her, at least not beyond the hug that she'll be getting. We had a very positive conversation tonight; there were some initial tears but then she asked me what kind of medicine she was getting - curiosity started to overtake fear. I tried to explain vaccines, and she did concede that a quick shot was better than having the flu for a couple days.

We'll see whether that conversation pays off tomorrow. Wish me luck! And thanks for the suggestions.

 

[mamaof1]

distraction

Try distracting her while they are preparing the shot & giving it... sing a song, get her to recite her favorite story - really get into it... keep making eye contact with her, so then her eyes will (hopefully) stay on you. Good Luck!

 

[Cowgirl]

My neice (6) hates shots. My sister stopped telling her she was getting a shot because she'd freak out and get so worked up before the appointment. Now she doesn't tell her until the doctor brings in the vaccine so she only has a few seconds to worry about it.

 

[libertytyranny]

Its psychological..shots don't hurt. So a numbing cream isn't going to stop the hysterics..try a bribe.

 

[RareBreed]

My neice (6) hates shots. My sister stopped telling her she was getting a shot because she'd freak out and get so worked up before the appointment. Now she doesn't tell her until the doctor brings in the vaccine so she only has a few seconds to worry about it.

My boys are the opposite. They'd rather know there's a possibility of getting a shot before we go rather than have it sprung on them at the last minute. My 9 year old isn't bothered by shots anymore but still likes to know if he may or may not get them. The youngest (6) will tear up for a minute or two but doesn't go full on "melt-down" with shots like he used to.

I hated when they were babies and I had to hold them down so they wouldn't move. They'd be going crazy and looking at me like, "Mommy, why are you letting them hurt me??" I cried just as much as they did.

 

[bohman]

The appointment went without too much drama. I hope this means that we have turned the corner, and I don't have to worry about it much anymore. There were some tears, but no major freak out. A lollipop afterwards took care of it.

Nothing like her last visit, in which she ripped the needle out of her leg and poked the nurse.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

Mis leading title, I thought it was time for shots of maybe the jello kind. .

Me too, I was about to ask where to meet up! Having one of those days!

The appointment went without too much drama. I hope this means that we have turned the corner, and I don't have to worry about it much anymore. There were some tears, but no major freak out. A lollipop afterwards took care of it.

Nothing like her last visit, in which she ripped the needle out of her leg and poked the nurse.

Glad it went well today. So far my little man hasn't been too bad about getting shots. Cries for a quick minute, then he's done. It was funny though, last time we went to the doctor he said "UH OH" as we pulled into the parking lot. Then he almost cried when the nurse came into the room but didn't. He cries at the barber for what seems like forever though!