Scared of Shots

My kids actually ask me on the way to appointments if there are shots involved. I'm trained in phlebotomy. Mant phlebotomists use the "blow the pain away" technique. Have the kid blow bubbles or a pinwhheel. It's really over b4 they know it-but that's worth a try if you're worried.

My Mom always used the distraction method.
Have something fun to do after the Dr's appointment.
We always went to the zoo after Dr / dentist appointments.
We'd be thinking about the zoo too much before the appointment to get apprehensive.
As soon as the shot(s) were over, we'd still be thinking about the zoo, so we'd get over any upset there might be fairly quickly.

All of us have to do some things just because they are needed. I suggest that you be matter of fact with her. I wouldn't tell her she's having shots unless she asks and then I'd be truthful.

What I do with my grandkids is to talk with them on the way to the appointment about what to expect if they ask about it. I'm, calm and very matter of fact. I do not expect them to resist. I'm just giving them information.

I suggest that when we try so hard to make something easier for our kids we feed into their natural anxiety and increase it. We are telling them that their fear is reasonable. When we accept that they are afraid while verbally, in a casual way, reassure them that it will be OK they have a model on which to base their feelings.

I don't agree with not telling her, but it sounds like she already knows. My daughter is 4 and scared. I was very honest with her. She was going to have 3 shots, they were going to hurt, but she needed to be brave. I answered all her questions about the shots and was as honest as I could be. I validated her feelings and told her that it was okay to be scared. Even at 4, I think she really appreciated that I didn't degrade her feelings and let her feel what she wanted and talked about it when she wanted. When the time came, she sat in my lap, I wrapped my arms around her, making sure her arms were pinned in and they gave her the shots. She didn't even cry. My daughter is obsessed with Doc McStuffins on Disney. I think the show really helped her understand why doctors do what they do. It was from the show that she got the idea that she had to be brave. Maybe find an episode or two on Disneyjunior.com and see if that helps.

I completely disagree with anyone who says that all kids are afraid of shots. My son has never been afraid of getting a shot because I always talk to him about it. I explain exactly what the nurse is going to do, that it is going to hurt for just a second or two, and then he gets to pick out a fancy band-aid to put on his arm after it is all done. He is even curious enough now to ask his own questions as the nurse is preparing his arm. He'll watch the whole process. In fact, he even tells kids who are waiting that there's no reason to be afraid.

And there's not.

Talk to your daughter. Reassure her that you will be there to hold her, to help her through it. Bring her favorite lovey or stuffed animal to comfort her while it is happening. Politely explain to the nurse your daughter's fears. I'm certain the nurse has had to work with a lot of frightened kids. The less you share, the more scared she is going to be. In my very honest opinion, not telling her until you are at the doctor's office and the nurse is holding a needle to her arm is rather cruel. Kids know and can process a lot more than what we give them credit for. Tell her you understand she's scared, but there's no reason to be. Give her other examples of things that hurt - stubbing her toe, hitting her funny bone - and say that a quick shot is no worse than any other quick owie.

And you need to be strong for her, mama. If she sees you getting scared and worked up, she will too. Good luck to you!

I would watch Doc McStuffins together. Do you have a toy doctor's kit to practice with? Explain everything that your daughter might have questions about. It sounds strange, but I also take kids to all my appointments when I have blood drawn, blood pressure taken, etc. They watch the needle go in and come back out. I explain that it's a prickly feeling, and it goes away quickly. I know you don't have that kind of time, but in the future it might help. At least they get fewer shots in later appointments, you can let her know that she won't have any more for a long time. Sending her reassuring hugs, and good luck to you both.

Oh, and I let them squeeze my hand as hard as they can. It really helps. They also get a sticker for having a shot, and are distracted by that immediately after the shot once that band-aid is on. :)

Our daughter was also really nervous about shots..

So, I used to read a brand new book to our daughter while the shot was to be given..

I also taught her to breath in and then as she breathed out.. the Nurse would administer the shot.. The less tense our daughter was the more she realized it hurt for only a moment and was not sore for as long afterwards. ..

But I had to ask her to please trust me..

My mother, one time pinched my other arm, while the nurse gave me the shot... The pinch hurt worse than the shot.. That is when I learned if you do not tense up, the shot does not hurt that much..

I'd tell her on the way. She needs to be prepared mentally but the "how" is the key. Tell her that if she does need some shots that she'll do just fine, they only hurt a tiny tiny tiny bit. That if she just stopped and watched that she'd find they don't hurt as much as she thinks.

She does need to understand that she is blowing it all out of proportion. Of course shots hurt but not a lot. The anticipation and mental aspect of "it's going to hurt a lot" blows it up in their mind so it hurts a lot lot lot more.

I would simply not tell her, and when the time comes to have the shot just hold her, have her look at you and say to the nurse, "Now." Jab, jab, you're done.

All kids are scared of shots. Some adults are even afraid of shots. It's better if she just learns that shots are a part of life. They do hurt a bit, but they are over very quickly. Some kids go out for ice cream afterwards. That's something to think about.

ETA - Ok, Katie, maybe not ALL kids, but it is very common for kids to be afraid of shots. Totally normal, and I think that's important to say. There is nothing wrong with being scared. It feels wrong, as a mom, because we love our little ones. It's important for us to remind ourselves that we are doing what we believe to e the best thing for our kids and that the pain from a shot is short term but the benefits are long term. It's just important to know that it's ok that they are scared, that we might not be able to do anything to prevent it (even though we will do everything we can) and that it's totally normal.

Don't tell her. If she's apprehensive then she'll just be apprehensive longer. My kids hate shots but they are not so afraid that they won't do it when the time comes. The key is that YOU make it as non threatful as possible. Since my kids were little I wouldn't even flinch at a shot. Just a hug and smile and pretend all is still great with the world. They would wimper but never bawl out. I think kids latch onto our emotions when it comes to getting some sympathy (like they don't cry after a fall until you freak out).

Also, breath. During the shot, talk to her so she's listening to you and go through deep breathing exercises while the nurse prepares. Don't do breathing right before the shot goes in (after the nurse already cleaned the area). As soon as the nurse comes in with the tray let her breath through the cleaning too. Say it out loud and if you can, get her to breath IN when the shot goes in. There is something about it that relieves the pain. I learned it from my cousin who is a dentist and from that day on I have used it all the time at both the dentist and doctor's office.

For the actual vaccine my doctor used to have me count backwards by threes, or something silly like that that you have to think about. I agree they aren't much fun, but are beneficial. Maybe a small surprise to take her mind off when the time comes or out to lunch afterwards to celebrate it being finished. Good luck, hope it goes better than you think. Remember to not act worried.and to be.calm. Deep breathing should help, relaxed muscles are better.

http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/health/kids-...

Give it a read...it may help. Good luck.

I remember reading somewhere that if you take an alcohol swab and rub on their forearm of the same arm they're getting their shot and blow on that spot--it suppose to confuses our pain receptors. I haven't tried it myself...and unfortunately I always forget when it comes time for my kids shots. I actually believe they are trying to make a device that does this in itself....Might be worth acknowledging her fears and then tell her you are going to 'try' something and let's see if it works. Might calm her some, no guarantees it'll work but it might distract her enough. good luck hmmmm...briefly googled to see if I could find the article I had read..this isn't the same article I, but it does indicates the same technique

http://www2.aap.org/immunization/families/Lessening_the_P...

At damn near 40 years old, I still cry when I have to get a shot. I request butterfly needles for my blood draws, and have had opportunities to have neonatal nurses poking at me.

I don't know that this would work for a 6yo, but it helps me to feel heard as I explain that I have a fear. If I feel that I have no control over when they stick me, like they don't care about my repsonse to it, then I feel more anxious. Adversely, my anxiety lessens when they seem patient and attentive and will gently hear me out about my fear.

I have a sibling, that is afraid of shots. And this is a 40's something adult.

NO one, likes shots.
But it has to get done.
My son, was very adverse to shots too. Who isn't?
But he got his shots.
My son is 6 too.
And each time he was due for a check up or shot, I managed to get him to the Doctor and he got his shots.

Bring a whistle with you.
Have the Nurse, count to three, while you have your daughter in your lap.
Your arms around her.
When the Nurse counts to three, have your daughter BLOW into the whistle on "3"..... this will distract her and from the pain.
The anticipation of a shot is worse, than the shot itself.
And getting a shot only takes like 2 seconds.

Oh boy, I feel for you. My seven year old son is terrified of shots. This did not start until he was about four. He shows other signs of anxiety as well. I actually start to panic about him getting shots way in advance bc it's such a scene. I usually tell him if he asks, but last time, he got the shot and ran out of the exam room, out of the waiting room, through the parking lot and down the street....like forest gump. My two year cries from he time we get in the office til we leave regardless if a shot. All very stressful. I was the same way though. Not surprisingly :)