How to prepare a child for Doc visit w/ shots?

Question

My son Isaac is turning 4, and has his annual Well-Child Doctors visit. This round, he will be getting 3 immunizations.

He isn't deathly afraid of the doctor (ie, kicking, screaming, crying). But when we go, it has always been for his baby sister. So he always clarifys the WHOLE drive there that "Doctor is for Leah, NOT for Isaac, just Leah" He says that over and over again.

I told him casually that next week, it will be Isaacs turn for the Doctor. He is already objecting. I don't even know how to bring up the fact that he will be getting 3 shots! He saw his sister get 2 of them last week, and so he knows they are NOT fun. But I don't want to just "not tell him", then surprise him horribly in the end by holding him down forcefully so they can have at him!

Do any of you have some suggestions on how to prepare him well? Are there any books you would suggest?
Is this going to be a losing battle anyway? LOL!

Answer 1

I would let him know in advance. No more than the day before. Have him bring a "lovey" such as a blanket or favorite toy. Sit down and talk with him about what to expect. "It will feel like a little pinch." Also, tell him that if he is tense it will hurt more. Show him how to relax and breathe and explain that it will not hurt very much if he does this. Model this for him.

I think a great big reward after the visit is a must (a trip to the toy store or getting ice cream). Let him know before you see the doctor what his reward will be. It will give him something to look forward to.

I am a preschool teacher and often give the "getting a shot" talk with my students. The parents say it really helps. Good luck!

Answer 2

My son is not afraid at all but does get nervous before the shots. He's 6 now, but when he had 3 shots to get ready to start school, he was scared. I told him that shots are not fun, and they do pinch, but its just a pinch. When he wasn't convinced he could go through with it, I emphasized that these shots were to 'make him real strong and smart. That he wouldn't have to get any more for a whole nother year...and so on.'

Once I stressed this and how a few seconds of pinching could help keep him from getting really serious sicknesses, he summoned the courage. Once the shots were done, the nurse praised him big time (since she overheard the conversation) and offered to give him a sticker for each shot, so instead of 1 prize he got 3. On the next visit I am going to ask the nurse ahead of time to do the same, "Wow you are the bravest little guy we've had in here all day!" stuff again.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I just took my son for his 4 year check up a couple of weeks ago, and I also used to work at his pediatric office and was often asked to help "hold" the kids when they tried to fight the shots. What I did with my son was start to talk to my son about it and let him know that he would be getting 3 shots. When he asked if it would hurt I told him that it would feel like a little pinch, which is pretty much true (just to worn you the MRI shot is the best b/c it burns) and he said that it would make him cry..lol. I told him that if he cried it was ok. He did cry but after about 5 min. he was calm and fine. I remember from working there that the kids who didn't know they were going to get shots reacted ALOT worse and completely flipped out.

Hope this helps a little!! :)

Answer 4

I worked with a pediatrician for 6 years and I believe that telling him what to expect is the best thing. Sit down with him and explain that sometimes we have to get shots to keep us healthy, and the pain does not last a long time. Perhaps bringing a favorite stuffed animal or toy with him as well for comfort, and maybe giving him a reward for being a big boy at his appointment. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Do not mention it again, he knows and you will just be making it worse. Give him a full dose of advil 20 minutes before the shots (when you leave the house) so the sting will not last as long. If he asks tell him that yes it will hurt, but not for too long, and bring him a piece of candy or lollypop, but do not give it to him until he has stopped crying and calmed down (other wise you are rewarding him for crying instead of rewarding him for getting over it)

Answer 6

Role playing really helps. Let him be the doctor and have him check your heart, give you pretend shots, etc... Have him comfort you when you're scared of the shots by telling you it will keep you healthy. You can have him use a favorute stuffed animal instead of you if you want. Then when he's at the doctor you can remind him of it. It really helps.

Answer 7

i do no longer understand which you will be waiting to flee tear unfastened, basically via fact it relatively is style of the way it is going. Be honest together with her approximately what to anticipate-tell her that sure, she has to have photos, however the soreness would be rapid. Have her concentration on you while the photos are being administered, no longer the physician, considering while infants watch the needle come at them they're greater possibly to the two shy away, or annoying up, which makes it harm greater. carry her hand and function her squeeze while it hurts. Promise her a particular manage while the appointment is performed, despite if it is lunch at a eating place, a clean outfit on the mall, despite could be an incredible manage for her. check together with her approximately her concern of needles-why is she afraid of them, and what might lead them to much less frightening for her? additionally, be sure you tell the physician and the nurses concerning to the flair concern, so as that they are arranged to handle it as necessary. solid success-taking infants for photos sucks.

Answer 8

You could check your library for books. That worked for my kids. Also, be honest. I explained to mine that he had to have shots since he was a big boy, and yeah, it would be a little uncomfortable, but after that, we were going to go out and do something special. My youngest has never had a problem, but my six year old has a hard time.

Answer 9

tell the kid that the doctor has candy or promise the kid a special toy after the visit for good behavior

Answer 10

be calm yourself, too. if he sees that you're also anxious about this, that would also make him more agitated and anxious. give him rewards after, explain to him why he has to get the shots.. and try not to use scary terms like "big needles". =)