4yo vaccinations - pre-warn or surprise???

[~me~]

I pre-warned and used Emla patches on the arms beforehand to numb the area and DD1 didn't feel a thing. I will probably do the same for DD2

Oh yes! Did this as well. The Emla patch was wonderful.

[sangie]

I pre-warned DD but only about an hour before we were due to leave. I didn't want to spring it on her but I also didn't want her to worry about it for too long.
I also explained to her why she had to have it. I'm glad I did it that way as she was completely fine with it, no tears at all and nowhere near the drama I was expecting it to be. Good luck!