What are some things that you've found that helped your preschooler's doctor's appt. go better?

Question

My 4 year old daughter goes to the doctor on Friday for shots. I haven't told her yet and may not until Friday morning. What can I do to help her face this better?

Answer 1

There is no need to get her worked up days before. I think that waiting until Friday morning is fine. Just be straight forward on how the appointment will go. Tell her what they are going to do and try not to make the shots the number one subject. Tell her you are going to see how much she has grown and what a big girl she is!! You could also tell her the nurse gives the shots, so she is not completely freaked out when the Dr. comes in. Good Luck!! Have a nice surprise for her for being so brave when she is done.

Answer 2

Be honest with her. Do NOT tell her there's no shots coming - having her surprised that way will only backfire on you big time. (I've seen it happen. We've had to carry kicking and screaming kindergarteners in from the parking lot a few times.) Sit down with her before you leave for the appointment and tell her the truth. There will be shots involved. She's not going to like them, but she's got to get them in order to be allowed to go to school. Make sure she knows that nobody's doing it to be mean! Tell her ALL the kids in her class at school are doing the same thing, she's not the only one. Make sure she knows that she won't have to do shots like that again till she's almost a grown up. (The next round, provided that your child is up to date and the AAP doesn't come up with anything new is at around age 15 for the DT booster)

During the shots, have her look away from wherever the injection is being given (if it's the right arm, have her look all the way to the left) and "practice blowing out birthday candles" (hold your finger up like a candle if you need to have the visual to pretend) - the deep breathing and the distraction are usually calming to them.

After the visit - have a treat for her - do something special like go out for ice cream or to a movie or to lunch or have something special for her that she doesn't usually get.

Good luck!

Answer 3

oh, you need to tell her all about the shots- what the needle looks like, how much it will hurt, and pretend to show her how they do it. Where they will put the needle. Let her know it's ok to cry, and that she will cry. Tell her that if she sits still for the shot (and crying is fine), but if she sits still you will take her to get a treat, and a toy after the appointment- even if it's just the dollar store. Get her a favorite candy bar, or gummies. Tell her how proud of her you are, etc.... I do that every time with my kids, and the nurses just can't believe how good my kids are with shots. If she wiggles, and screams uncontrollably, and ends up being very difficult, she should not receive any award. My suggestion again: tell her all about it.

Answer 4

I would say (if you would have more time to work with) to taker her with you to your doctor's appointment, to show her that you're not scared because they're there to help people, (while explaining that there are sickos out there and that inappropriate behavior, touching, talking, etc, is unacceptable). Talk to her now about that appointment pending on Friday, and tell her that you'll be with her the whole time, that the shots are to help her with_________ (insert explanation here)! Don't get annoyed if (like my son, just last week) keeps telling you "I don't want to go!" Keep reassuring here that everything will be okay, and that you'll be there, weather it takes 50 million times telling her, one day she'll appreciate how understanding you were. Good luck!

Answer 5

Talk to her about what will happen at the doctor's... the doctor will look in her eyes, nose, ears and mouth, check her breathing and look her over in general. Talk to her about the items/medical tools he will use- the tongue depresser, scope, and stethescope. Tell her about the shot... don't hide it. Tell her what to expect so that it calms her nerves. In the meantime, bring things for her to do while waiting... books, small toys, a DVD player with a movie, notepad and pen, etc. Also bring a snack. Having these things on hand will help with the wiggles during the waiting time and occupy her mind.

Answer 6

I wouldn't tell her about it. Then she has nothing to dread, or throw a fit about. When she gets the shot, she'll be upset and cry regardless of whether she knew ahead of time or not. And she'll likely get over it quickly just the same as most do. When I take my son I see kids throwing fits, whining, etc. in the lobby because they know whats coming. I simply don't tell mine and he's peachy until the time comes. Sure he cries like all do, but he gets over it in about 2minutes. And we've avoided getting him upset beforehand. So why bother making a big ordeal of it all? Good luck no matter what you do!

Answer 7

Stay cool about it. We all feel bad when the little ones gets shots, but it's a feeling best kept hidden. Poker face.

When it's time for her to get her shots, smile a lot. Ask her to take a deep breath just before the stick and then blow it out hard when the shot is given.

Answer 8

Set up a play time, and run her through a mock appointment with her toys. There are bbooks you can get as well, maybe pop into your library and see what you can find for kids books on immunizations. Not telling her and just showing up at the clinic isn't really fair, you don't want to get her too worked up, but allowing her to adjust to the idea, even if it upsets her, seems only fair to her.

Answer 9

Role play with one of those toy doctor's kit... and explain that shots are just a pinch and they are meant to keep you healthy. Bring her favorite blankie, etc....and pull it out when she seems anxious(or just before the dreaded shot)

I had to restrain my son so he could get his 4 yr. old shot... and tried this for the following year and it was much better, still crying but no flying arms or kicking legs!

Answer 10

talk to her about it before Friday. She needs to be prepared.