Hi All

DH and I have decided our 2.5yr old will be getting the flu shots next week. We are at a loss as how to explain she is getting a needle. I don't want her to be scared of going to the dr's in the future.
Should we say nothing? And just give her a lolly afterwards?

How have you done it? And how did they react? She's at the age where she understands things a lot more.

Thanks!

i explained it to my 6yr old DD and she freaked out big time even before we got there, I tried explaining to my DS his 3.5yrs old and he really couldn't care he just sat there and had it. Next time they are finding out when they get in the Doctors room!!

Hi.

I wouldn't be telling her too far in advance. It will make her worry unnecessarily. My DD has had them for the last 2 years, so last year she was 3 1/2 and this year 4 1/2, and my DS had them at the same time - he was 8 months and 20 months old.

So the day of the appointment, I would be telling your DD that she is going to go to the doctor today and having an injection. She might get a bit panicky, and ask if it will hurt etc. Don't lie. Say 'yes, it will probably hurt, but only for a second and then it will go away'. This seemed to work well for us. My DH and I also got our flu shots at the same time to show that it didn't hurt - just keep smiling! Maybe tell her if she is a really brave girl then after the appointment you can go and get a special treat - whatever her favourite treat might be - an icecream, lolly, new toy, book etc. Whatever works for you. Her arm will probably be sore for a couple of days, but that's it. I know my arm probably hurt to touch for about 48 hours after the injection.

I would also check with your doctor if she is going to need 2 injections a month apart. This is what happened with us last year. The kids got 2 x half doses one month apart, then every year after that they only need one. Might be just something that my doctor did, but might be worth the call in advance so you are prepared.

Good luck with the injection. It will be worse for you than her! She will probably cry (you might too!), but that is quite normal.

Cheers,
ejm

We are about to brave the 4 year old shots and my GP told me it is a disaster trying to explain it rationally before hand. She said the kids don't understand anyway, they just work out that something really bad is going to happen and they freak out before it starts. I have not tested this yet but will be next week when we go. For a 2 year old, I would not even contemplate trying to prepare for it. In the end, I think it is much worse for us than them !

Good luck.

I wouldn't tell a 2.5 year old. They just don't have the comprehension to understand it all. Probably just before having the needle I would tell them "just a needle, will hurt a little bit but will be finished soon" and then give them a lolly

My 4 year old I told her before we left home for the Dr's, she didn't like it and whinged she didn't want it and then cried a little when she had the needle but was then fine. I told her that she had to have the needles to stop her getting sick.

We did my 2.5 yr old this year. She understood it. We told her about 30minutes before we were to leave that mummy and DD1 were having a flu vaccination which would hurt a bit for just a minute then it would stop hurting. when she asked WHY (of course!) we said if she has the flu vacination it stops her getting very sick another day, so its to prevent you from getting sick.

I think it helped though that i was having it to as i went first and she watched me. - also it doesnt hurt very much AT ALL (much better than other vacines and shots ive had before). DD1 didnt even cry AT ALL and she was very excited to be getting a lolly it was no big deal - we have to go again this week for the follow up shot and she knows and doesnt mind going to do it again - they need to have 2 shots 4 weeks apart for kids who havent had the shot before.

she was a bit off the next day but no big deal just quieter and bit cranky. well worth it considering kids die from the flu every year and we have a baby in the house who cant be imunised for it so we are protecting her too by having it

Another here who didn't mention it to my DD (she will be 2.5 in June) I just told her we ar going to the doctors which she enjoys anyway, and then just sat her on my knee, distracted her with a toy and the doctor put in the needle.

She cried (very loudly) but after a lollypop and a cuddle she was fine. Not looking forward to taking her back next week (when she is due for the second one) as she will probably be expecting it more

DS who has jus turned 6 months will get his at the same time.

I agree a little crying is fine by me if it means protecting them from such an awful illness