Question About the Flu Shot

I told my 4 year old as we reached the doctor's clinic.I told her its because of this fever everyone was getting and we wanted to protect her from it and that it will be like a pinch and mommy will be right there with her.She did great and did not even cry and I was so proud of her.
I wouldn't explain this to a younger child because they probably wouldn't understand.

Hope that helps

My son (just turned 3 on Tuesday) and I got our flu shots earlier this week. I told him he and I were getting a shot to help us not get sick while we were waiting in the waiting room. He brushed it off. Than, when the time came, he asked me if it was going to tickle. I told him the truth and told him it would hurt a little, but not too bad. I went first, and I made sure he saw on my face that it didn't feel very good. I really didn't want to lie to him, because he was going to find out that it does indeed hurt! I also explained to him that it would be OK if he cried, but that he needed to stay still. I explained that I would help him stay still by holding his legs. He was a champ. He cried, and really didn't like it, but about 30 seconds later, he was fine!

I don't have a baby, but my guess is that it would be best for you to go first, and the baby go last. That way it doesn't freak your toddler out to much... but that's just my guess! My baby isn't due until Feb, so I don't really know! Good luck!

Also, it helped us with other shots if we gave our son some tylonl or motrin about 45 min before the appt. I didn't do that this time, and he was still ok!

Why tell him? Did you tell him when he got his immunizations? I find it saves the hassle by not telling my kids. They just stress out about it and it's that much more difficult for everyone. Do the oldest first or youself. He'll get scared if your youngest is crying.

I wouldn't tell him at all. He'll find out soon enough and you don't want him to have all the anxiety about it. I would have your son get his first so he won't see a needle ahead of time, then you and then the baby. That way you won't have to put the baby down after she gets hers to get yours. Plus, by then maybe your son wil have stopped crying and you won't have 2 crying kids :o)
J.

My daughter's had a flu shot almost every year. They are wonderful. We got ours a few weeks ago and I got mine first and showed her the best I could that it was no big deal and she was hysterical and freaking out. She's 5 and worried about it the entire way there. She squirmed so much and had to be held down that the shot gave her a bruise from not being relaxed. So if I could do it again I wouldn't tell her why we are going there. You should go first to show that your brave and so that you can comfort your kids after they get theirs. I would do the baby last because they aren't fully aware of what's going on. I did try and explain to my daughter about why she needed this and how important this is but she didn't care she had alot of ANXIETY! Next time I'm not telling her til last minute or something. BTW Props for getting your kids their flu shots, if everyone would get flu shots it wouldn't get passed on like crazy every winter. Also I heard that preschoolers are the #1 age group to pass on the flu germs.

I would just tell him you have a doc appt. Period. If you tell him he is getting a shot, he will be upset and worried. Just before you have it (when you are actually there), I would just tell him you are all getting some medicine in your arm (or where ever they do it) to help make keep you all from getting sick this winter. I would be honest and tell him it might hurt when for a second, but then it will be done. You may want to have something fun for him to do afterwards, so he has that to look forward to. I would do his first, waiting is worse. Then you, then the baby. Good luck!
S.

Hi H.--

Based on past experience, I would advise the following: wait until the last minute to tell your son, and stress how much fun it will be, and he can watch you go first. I wouldn't tell him until you're actually on the way to the doctor, or even wait until you arrive at the office--wait until the last possible minute. Telling him too early will just produce anxiety. It also helps to have some reward to focus on after the shot--make the shot part of a "package deal"--"we're going to stop in at the doctor for just a minute on the way to the playground/mall/ice cream. It also helps if your doctor's office can do both kids at the same time, but if not, have your daughter go last. I have 2 little boys and we've all gotten flu shots the last 4 years. It's been a disaster when I tell them too early and they have time to work up some serious anxiety about it. I've learned not to make a big deal about it, and to let them see me get a shot first.

Good luck!

K.

Like others said, I would say he's going to the doctor for a normal visit and not tell him about the shot. Right before, say they will put a little medicine in his arm (if the nurse or doctor doesn't say something like this). I would have him go first, then me, then the little one. It didn't hurt me at all.
I've had very little crying for both my kids' shots. If anything, it was very brief.

My kids were about the same ages last year...I went first and reported 'that wasn't bad!' then the two year old took her turn (didn't cry - flu shots really don't hurt too badly) and then the baby last...I was worried he'd cry and she would be so worried...Good Luck! and thanks for reminding me we need to go in too!

My son is 30 months, and he thinks shots are exciting because we have a diabetic dog that gets 2 shots a day. He doesn't remember the pain that came with them because he was too young (even though he just had antibiotics injected in aug.) With my son, I would tell him days in advance, and keep talking about it and get him excited about the idea. Then, I would go first and smile as they do and say "Oh... that doesn't hurt!", and then let him have his turn. He might cry for a minute, but a hug will make it all better fast. I would save the baby for last, because she will probably cry, and is too young to be scared after watching the older one, but if your son watches her scream, he will be scared and hard to hold down. I got mine at work yesterday for free, and it was the first time I've ever had one. I expected it to sting, but it was the easiest shot I have ever had. Didn't even feel it. My son's clinic is doing flu shots in 2 weeks, so I am hoping his goes as well as mine did. It is so hard watching them do that, when you know they don't understand why it has to be done. Good luck tomorrow!

J.

I just did this today! I didn't tell my 4 year old until we got there. Then, I say you go first, to show your little ones how brave you are. Good Luck! I ended up having to take my daughter to buy her a movie afterwards!! :)

I wouldn't tell them, anxiety about getting it makes it worse. I would suggest you go first to show him that its safe and that yes it will hurt but only for a second.

Maybe tell him a day before and explain it will hurt a little bit but it will keep him from getting sick this winter. you should go first than the littlest one and then while the little one is crying on your lap, be close to the 2 1/2 year old. My kids both recently got the shots...it was hard because they were both crying, but ice cream and icees work wonders after ward.