How to Prepare a Child for Getting Shots at the Doctor

Between birth and 18 months your child is likely to receive over a dozen different vaccines including -- but not limited to -- hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, hepatitis A, influenza, varicella and meningococcal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While your 1-month-old may be blissfully unaware of the shot that's about to come, until she feels the sting of the needle, an older child often needs some preparation before a routine vaccination. With the proper preparation you can turn a trip to the pediatrician's office from frightening and full of unpleasant surprises to a much more manageable experience.

Instructions

    • 1

      Call your child's pediatrician prior to her check-up and ask the medical professionals what shots your child is about to receive. Ask how many shots she will get and what they are for.

    • 2

      Talk to your child before the doctor's appointment, discussing the shots that she will get. Tell her what the doctor or nurse told you in terms of the number of shots.

    • 3

      Explain that shots are necessary to keep her from possibly getting sick. Use simple words that your little one can understand if you have a child who is under school age and a more detailed explanation with school-aged kids or older. Remind your child of a recent time when she was sick and ask she felt. Tell her that, while a shot won't stop her from ever getting sick, it can prevent some sicknesses and can help to keep her safe and healthy.

    • 4

      Discuss the pain that your child will feel. Tell your child that it is perfectly normal to fear the pain of a shot, but that it will only hurt for a second or so.

    • 5

      Ask your child if she has any questions. Avoid allowing your child to fear what she doesn't know. Provide your own personal experiences, focusing on the positive aspects -- such as the cool cartoon bandage that the doctor puts on your arm after the shot -- instead of the negative or painful parts.

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