As we enter flu season, many families decide to get the flu shot. While many children are fine with needles, others get very upset and anxious. Lots of parents wonder what they should or shouldn’t do when preparing and taking their children for a needle. We hope this blog can be a good resource for parents who's children have needle anxiety.

Do tell your child about the upcoming needle.
One of the most frequent questions we receive is should you tell your child about the upcoming shots. Our answer is a resounding YES! Below is a simple guideline that works for most children, but remember, you know your child best and which approach will work best for their personality.
Children under 7: tell them the day of the appointment or a little bit before you leave. When you tell them, provide a short and simple explanation for the needle (e.g., “it will be a quick shot to help keep you healthy”). Providing too much notice and/or information may result in an overly anxious child.
Children over 7: tell them a day or two before the appointment. Advanced notice is important because older kids do best with honesty and time to mentally prepare. Have a short, age-appropriate, conversation about why the needle is important*, how they can prepare, and how you can support them.
*Common reasons to share include: staying healthy, preventing illness, and protecting those we love who may have less immunity.
Don’t let the needle be a surprise.
It is important to avoid surprises. Springing the shot on your child can result in higher anxiety levels, as well as potentially putting them into a fight, flight, or freeze response. A negative experience with needles may make future needles more difficult.
Do stay calm and supportive when sharing with your children.
Being honest in a calm and supportive way will help your child cope. When telling your child about the upcoming shot stay calm and positive. Children pick up on our emotions and tone. We want to reduce childhood anxiety, and our responses can impact that.
Don’t say that the needle won’t hurt.
Kids often worry about the ouch factor of a shot. The amount of pain a needle causes can vary from child to child. Rather than telling your child that it will barely hurt, help them reframe their fear by emphasizing that the quick ouch will keep them strong and safe.
Children who have high anxiety around feeling pain and/or a low pain tolerance may benefit from using a topical anesthetic such as lidocaine cream in order to help them feel braver, to reduce the sting, and lower the level of anxiety.
Do practice breathing techniques before the needle.
Teach your child some breathing techniques. Helping your child learn to take deep, slow, and calm breaths will make the process of getting a needle easier since deep breathing reduces anxiety. It is important to practice with them ahead of time so they are ready to use the technique when they need it.
Don’t tell your child to stop worrying.
Validate your child’s feelings. Acknowledge that some anxiety and nervousness is normal when getting a shot or doing something new or unfamiliar. Re-assure them that they can handle it, and that being nervous is alright.
Do provide comfort.
Comfort your child as needed. Offer to hug them, hold their hand, or even sit on our lap if allowed. Physical closeness helps our children feel safe.
Don’t make all the decisions.
Give your child a sense of control when appropriate. Let them choose which arm, where they’d like to sit, if they want to hold your hand etc…Providing a sense of at least some control can lower anxiety for your child.
Do offer a distraction if allowed.
Some nurses will let your child watch a phone or listen to music while getting a needle. Distractions while waiting their turn before getting the needle can be a great tool to help a child stay calm and regulated.
Don’t force them to go first.
If you are getting immunized as well, offer to go first. Let your child see how you handle it calmly. Model how you want them to manage this fear, and how you stay calm and brave.
Do celebrate after getting the needle.
Once your child has gotten the needle, celebrate with them! They have been so brave. Offering a small treat (e.g., something sweet, a sticker, a fun activity) will provide a positive association with the experience of getting a needle.

We hope these tips help make getting a needle a little easier for you and your child. If you’ve tried all of these and still feel at a loss of how to help your child, a therapist may be able to help by teaching your child more techniques to handle their worry and/or doing gradual exposures with them around needles.
As always if you are looking for support click the link below to book in with one of our therapists.
Good luck!

Comments