[Vicki H]

Well, tomorrow is Alex's 3 year well visit to the pediatrician. I know he will need shots as he didn't require any last year.
This will be my first time taking him to the doctor alone for shots. I have taken him many times for sick visits myself , but I usually have dh hold him while he gets his shots.
I am really stressing about this. I am so afraid Alex will be upset with me and emotionally I cannot handle that. He tells us he doesn't like us when he doesn't get his own way, but he is over that in a second.
I know I probably sound crazy, but I am really worried about tomorrow.

[LilyMoon]

Vicki- I can certainly understand your apprehension. I have been through the ordeal of my daughter getting shots. It was not fun for either of us! But I have to say that the process of comforting her after the shots was a nice moment in the aftermath of sheer hysteria on her part and nervous stomach on my part.

I held her in my arms on the table during the shots and then took her right in my arms and held her afterward. It is not easy to go through, but it is only a few minutes and goes very quickly.

While we were waiting for the Dr. I blew up some gloves as ballons and played with the eye chart with my daughter. It was a good distraction for both of us.

Hang in there....it will be OK. BTW, I have always gone alone with my kids to the Dr.

Let us know how it went.
LilyMoon

[Vicki H]

Thanks Lily, I guess I am so used to dh holding him for shots. I am hoping he cheers up quickly.

Thanks again,
Vicki

[ALI143]

This is happening to me in exactly a month. This is dh department, but he wont be able to take the time of that day. It bothers me enough I'm considering cancelling it till a time when he can do it I'm such a mess sometimes ! I'll probably cry more than dd.

[jameyevans]

I remember when I had some of my first shots. I still remember my dad talking to me about it- I was a big daddy's girl- and he told me some pointers- not to look while they are giving the shot. I now get two shots each week because of allergy shots. Maybe you could talk about all the people who get shots everyday and they are still okay and even go back to get more. Also distractions can work too Good luck!

[RBSVARCHER]

We just got David's shots caught up until he is 5. He had 3 shots all in his arm. That one big shot DPT or DTP one or the other made David's arm swell up 3 times the normal size. He laid around for 2 days after those shots.

I'm not looking forward to you going through that tomorrow....just remember to give a dose of Tylenol one hour before his shots.

I'll be thinking of you! Things will go just fine!

Susan

[maddensmom]

Oh Vicki,
I get so stressed about this too. It totally stinks to see your baby upset and afraid.
Just have them do it quik and neither of you look. Our pediatrician is the world's fastest shot giver. She can get 3 in before ds even knows what has happened.
Have you guys had the talk about why these shots are important? He is really verbal right? I know this won't help at that moment, but it will help him after. I think it is ok to let kids know they are getting these shots because they can get really sick without them. So sick they can't hold a video game or hand held dvd perhaps... I know I am reaching here...
I hope it goes well.

[angelkisses0102]

Vicki~

Talk to him about it...explain what is going to happen...and then promise a treat...I bribe my kids with McDonald's...

I have always taken the kids alone...just keep talking to him..reassure him...don't let him know how upset you are...I help hold them...talk to them...give lots of love before, during, and after.

Make a big deal about how well he did...and don't let him know how upsetting it is to you...I know easier said than done.

Good luck!

[Javalita]

I always bring Sean alone. I feel horrible holding him. Maybe this isn't the best thing, but I have the nurses hold him for the shots. I am there to immediately grab him up and comfort him as soon as it is over. I don't like holding him for the shots at all. The nurses never seem to mind...I just say that the needles make me faint. They definitely don't want to deal with that, so they come running to help!

[maddensmom]

My doctor always recommends someone else hold ds for shots. That is a great idea Jeannette! Can you do that?

[Vicki H]

No shots...YAY! They told me he would need them and then said they were wrong he is good until he is 5.

Alex in the 98th percentile for height and 93rd for weight.
I have one big boy on my hands.


Vicki

[pwnort64]

Yeah! Glad he didn't need any shots.

We just switched doctors and Henry hasn't needed any shots since we changed. But with his old doctor, someone from their office always held Henry. Then, as soon as it was over, I got to be the one that swooped in and comforted him. That way, I wasn't perceived as the 'bad guy'.

Also, we do a lot of chatting before things like going to the doctor so Henry knows what to expect. He responds really well to this. Last time we went, it was because he had a horrible cold. I explained that the doctor would look in his ears and mouth, and use the stethescope to listen to his heart and listen to him breath. We practiced opening our mouth, sticking out our tongue and saying 'ahhh'. The visit went really well because of this.

Our favorite story this week is Curious George Goes to the Hospital. In it, George gets a shot. He screams before getting the shot in anticipation, but in the end, decides getting the shot isn't so bad. This is Henry's favorite part of the story and demonstrates to everyone he sees how George screams. It's actually quite cute.

Wow, Alex is such a big boy!

[LilyMoon]

YAY! A reprieve until he is 5. That's super.

[Ktates]

You must be so relieved. I try to read "Cordoroy goes to the doctor" right before we go to the doctor or to get blood drawn. She also has a dr kit we try to break out before hand as well. I usually make DH hold her for when she has blood drawn (which was weekly now it's monthly) - I had an incredibly horrible incident at the embassy in Russia and I just can't handle it - and I think she senses that fear so it makes it worse for her.

98% - go Alex!!! guess he is thriving!!! Yea for you guys!