? for those who vaccinate

krystal61705 · September 2012

When we took DD for her 4 year well visit in July, she was not happy about the vaccinations. Since them she frets when we mention the doctor. I just scheduled her flu shot for Monday and I know that she will ask me if she has to get a shot. What would you do? Do I tell her yes and have her obsess and most likely freak out....or do I tell her that I am not sure? Any input or advice is really appreciated! TIA.

brewcitybride · September 2012

At 4, they can get the nasal spray flu vaccine. My DD got it last year, too, at 3.

krystal61705 · September 2012

brewcitybride:
At 4, they can get the nasal spray flu vaccine. My DD got it last year, too, at 3.

I don't think my ped offers this. She has always had the shot but this year she is most suspicious.

rsd12 · September 2012

My oldest is the same way, he hates shots. Completely freaks out. But I would never lie to him about a doctor appointment if he asks. I might say, I am not absolutely sure... but it could be a possibility.. so he is somewhat prepared. I need him to trust me since he sees so many doctors. But I would absolutely ask about the nasal mist. This has been a saving grace for us with getting his yearly flu shot.

NicoleWI · September 2012

Call about getting the mist!!

groovygrl · September 2012

Ask about mist and otherwise I would probably wait until absolutely necessary to tell her that you're going there. Like, when you pull up in the car

Mama-Bear · September 2012

All of mine got the flu mist vaccine. They didn't love it, but they didn't hate it either. If the mist isn't an option at your pedi, call your local health department, anyone can go, but even if you're at the top of the scale it's still normally pretty cheap. If you can't do the mist, then I would wait as long as possible to tell her about the doctor, but I wouldn't lie, you want her to trust you in the future. Good luck.

LoveEeyore · September 2012

The mist may be a good solution for this one, but I wouldn't lie or even hedge on it in general. I think telling the truth sends the message, yes, this is going to happen, and it's no big deal, but any other way leaves room for bargainning/escaping in LOs mind and sends the message that it IS something to be feared.

I took my 3 yr olds in for a shot this a.m. I list our activities for the day and review them- the good and bad before we heaad out. They cried off and on in the morning, mostly on from the car to the office. But my nearly 5 yr old was the same, but now she is chill and this morning even offered to come along and get a shot to show them it's no big deal. In my pink glasses world, it's because she learned to trust and realize that if mom is open and chill then it's safe for her to be too.

That said, my mom lied all the time about doc/dentist visits and I am pretty sure I didn't have trust issues around that...

Jelliebean1982 · September 2012

I wouldn't lie. I would prep as much as possible. Show her pictures of kids with chicken pox and measles. Explain that kids who don't get shots can get very sick. If the mist isn't available tell her that she will get one shot, that it will only hurt for a minute, and explain what brave means. I totally bribed my kid with candy for her 4 year old shots. I told her that she just couldn't scream. She can be very dramatic so the special treat was worth it.

DTNZ4Ever · September 2012

Took DS to the pedi on Monday he needed a flu shot and blood draw. We told him that morning that we were going to the doctor and he was going to get two pinches. We brought his lovey and practiced him looking at his lovey when pretend shots in the other arm. I promised him we would get him a back pack because he has been asking for one and he never asks for anything. DS did great at the pedi and the lab. Good luck! Oh and Ds hates going to the doctor. He normally cries in the parking lot.

macchiatto · September 2012

I'd look for a way to get the mist too, if at all possible.

ElatedMom2B · September 2012

Prepping is the best way to go, IMO. Let them know what is going to happen leading up to it and tell them why. Definitely look into the mist though - DD#1 also got it last year - they can start it at 3.

It is so hard - DD#1 was great at her 4 year appointment, I prepped her and told her what was going to happen with getting shots, etc. She was tough - she didn't even flinch. The lab for the blood work, on the other hand, was HORRIBLE. The poor kid was so scared. She was great in the waiting room, but once we walked back to the stall to do the blood work, all hell broke loose. I hate that insurances make you go to a lab to get the blood work done. It is so intimidating and, at least in our area, there is nothing nice about the phlebotomists - they're miserable, they're rough and, quite frankly, I can't stand going to them either (thank goodness I don't have any fear of needles!). I really wish that the LabCorp and Quest companies would come up with a place for children. At least to make the atmosphere a little more welcoming for kiddos. Anyway - DD screamed and went nuts and they just told DH (thank god he came with me, he wasn't supposed to but it was the day after my father died and he knew that I needed him so he took the day off anyway) to put her on his lap and squeeze her tight, they then forced her arm open and I was just so afraid that they would start sticking her and she would get hurt. It was over quickly, but she was traumatized for the rest of the day. So much for her being brave with shots now - that went right out the window.

Anyway, to answer your question, I am happy that I was honest with her. I wouldn't have wanted her to have that experience after I said something like, "oh, I don't know what's going to happen", etc.

jlw2505 · September 2012

Let her get the flu mist. My 4 1/2 year old got it last week with no issues. She said it smelled funny - she has a crazy sensitive sense to smell but no other complaints. I know some people complain of the taste as it runs down but its painless and the taste/smell is gone very fast.

Mrs.RockyM · September 2012

the bernstain bears has a book about going to the doctor and big sister and brother get their shots. that's made a huge difference with DD and she's now kind of obsessed with shots and always has to give them when she's playing doctor.

VTbride05 · September 2012

I took DS with me when I got my pertussis booster. He got a lot out of seeing me get a shot and he got his flu shot last week and had no problem with it!

AmandaP678 · September 2012

I agree with others, don't lie about it and look into the mist.

Asquared · September 2012

I like to tell my kids if they are brave, we can go get a chocolate shake after.

penguingrrl · September 2012

I don't lie to my kids about getting shots, but I wait until the last minute to tell them we're going to the doctor so they don't worry for long. My older daughter can't get the mist because she's asthmatic, so we all get the shot not the mist. They know after shots they'll get a few M&Ms and that helps a little.

CarolinaDaisy · September 2012

I'd just tell her that morning or even on the way there. She may freak out, but she'll be fine.

You could ask for flumist, but I don't like it because it's still a live virus. The shot is inactive virus. My DS1 cannot get the mist because he has asthma, but all of us get the shot.

He was not pleased with 4 yr old shots, but we discussed that he would be getting a flu shot and that his brother had his already and I got mine the day before I took him in for his. So he knows that we all get it.

He was ok until he saw the actual needle and tried to hide behind me. The nurse helped me gently restrain him. He cried but quickly stopped when offered a sticker and stated, "It wasn't so bad Mommy, I'm ok now."

So I think the fear of shots is normal, but as long as you remain calm and don't show signs of anxiety, she'll be fine.

krystal61705 · October 2012

Thank you all!

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