4 year old needles, any advice?

My DS has his 4 year old needles tomorrow. Any advice on how we can make it a bit less painful? I've got some cream a doctor gave me today and said to put it on about 20 minutes before the jabs but said it doesn't really work in her opinion. I'm actually a bit worried as I've said to him a while ago that we have to have the jabs and he got a bit anxious (so much easier to do when they are younger and don't understand what's happening).

where are you getting them done?

the rch vaccination clinic staff are lovely if that is an option.

He might surprise you and be okay with them. I was slightly worried leading up to my DS has his jabs as to how he'd go now that he'd "understand the whole thing" and he was fine as in super fine and it didn't bother him in the slightest. So much so that the doctor had to tell him not too look lol!. I had explained to him what was happening and that he had to get the medicine through a needle (like in Doc McStuffin) to make sure he didn't get sick and that it might hurt a little bit but not much. I also promised that we'd go shopping afterwards for a special "brave" toy. He really wasn't bothered in the slightest by them. I honoured my promise and he got his "brave" toy but to be honest I don't think they bothered him enough that he had to be brave. A few of my friends who have LOs who are month or two younger than my DS had the same reaction. No problems.

Good luck hope it goes well for you both x

I've always gone to the local community centre, I've always found the nurses lovely too and they distract the kiddies well. Just want to know if there's anything I can put on the skin to make it hurt less...I've also always given panadol before the needles.

Thanks Now we're 3, I've got my bribery ready lol. I did tell him about the needles a few weeks ago and he was OK at first, but then he said he didn't want them done. I plan to take him and tell him he's getting a check up and some medicine but maybe not mention needles again???

I waited till we were in the doctors room to tell ds and he did get a bit upset and I had to hold him. The doctor said he recommends not telling them and a friends doctor said the same thing. But that just didn't sit well with me. Ds was more upset with the idea and after it was done he was fine and just said that he didn't like the doctor anymore. I think we went for a milkshake and all was forgotten quickly. It didn't seen to hurt him too much at all - ds didn't need any pain relief.

If it's the kingston nurses then I think they'll be great!

My DD1 who is a total drama queen and can not handle any pain (e.g. yesterday she cried when she had pins and needles LOL) did not even flinch. No crying, nothing, lol. I prepared her and talked about it for a week in advance. She was worried at first and then came around to the idea and we got her a treat for after.

You're also not supposed to give panadol anymore. Makes the vaccine not work as well.

I read once that kids who were playing with an ipad or iphone while having medical procedures felt less pain than without. I can't find the article now that I need it though :doh:. Maybe take an ipad as a distraction.

Thanks ladies, so no panadol/nurofen, I'll take his portable dvd player, he's got this one movie he loves to watch. Thanks for the tips!!

I use neutral language like "getting some medicine in your arm" and explain that it's to stop my DD from getting very sick. I hold my child & massage or pat them anywhere that's closer to the brain than the needle site (it interrupts the nervous signal from the needle). I have found the nurses are usually very gentle & quick & have a whole toolkit of distractions to help. Also I remember reading that breast milk or even a small amount of sugar acts as an effective pain relief for short-lived pain like needles. And try to be calm & positive yourself, that will help. Xxx

The cream that numbs the skin is called Emla. The nurse told me that it helps so they don't feel the initial *****, but they will still have some discomfort, because they're deep needles.
I use Emla before blood tests and I don't feel a thing! 20 minutes isn't enough for it to work, it needs at least 45 minutes.

Thanks ladies, the whole thing went OK. He didn't want any cream on his arms. The lady asked him if he wanted to watch his dvd player or close his eyes and count to 3 and he chose to close his eyes. One of the ladies was a bit slower jabbing the arm, so he sort of felt the pain from the first needle while the other needle was still being administered. He cried for a minute or so afterwards, but then was OK. Thanks for all the advice though, I did tell him it was special medicine he needed so he wouldn't get sick, he even asked, am I getting the needle? Poor poppet, drama over, thank goodness.