Tuesday, July 29, 2014

How to prepare your 4-5 year old for vaccines/ injections/ immunizations?

A common obsession of kids facing doctor visits is, "Am I going to get a shot?"


How can you help prepare your child? Kids who know ahead of time that they're getting a shot tend to do better than ones who get no warning. The trick is to not warn her so far in advance that she worries needlessly to the point of obsession.

Instead, on your way to the office, mention the possibility. (There's always a chance she might not receive one, say, if she has a fever or the practice has run out of inoculations; leave the final announcement to the doctor.)

Let your child know that shots protect her and keep her healthy. Don't lie if she asks whether it will hurt: "Yes, it will hurt. But it only for a second or two, and then it's all done."

Studies have shown that children do better when parents have a matter-of-fact approach — not too much sympathy, not too coldhearted. Shots are necessary. Let's just get it done and move on. Use your favorite distraction technique to keep your child's mind off what's going to happen (a beloved toy, a song, or bubbles).


Source

Comment: The most important thing is for the parents to appear casual about the entire process of getting vaccination done for the baby. Any anxiety is easily conveyed to the child and leads to the meltdown/ temper tantrum

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