How to Deal with Children Afraid of Syringes

It is common to see children afraid of syringes. In fact, not a few are screaming hysterically when seeing a syringe. Of course as a parent, you also have an important role in helping to overcome this fear. Syringes cannot be avoided by children. This is because many vaccinations that must be received by children are given by injection. If the child is afraid of syringes, it can hamper the vaccination process.

Tips for Dealing with Children Afraid of Syringes

There are several ways you can do so that children are not afraid of syringes. What is important, parents also need to be calm. It is not uncommon for parents to panic when their children will be injected. Parental panic just makes children more scared. As a parent, calm yourself down first before calming your child. Various ways you can do to deal with children who are afraid of needles, including:

• Give a smile to him

Research shows, parents who say 'don't worry' or 'it's okay' actually make a child stress because they catch something worrying. Conversely, if you show a smile and a calm attitude, it can make the child also feel calm.

• Prioritizing honesty

Avoid saying that the needle prick during the vaccination process is not painful. If the child realizes that it hurts, you will be labeled a liar. It's better to say honestly that the vaccination process may be painful, but only briefly and the pain can be held.

• Do not delay

The earlier the immunization is given, the easier the process, because babies cannot remember the pain when they are immunized. Conversely, toddlers and preschoolers will be more difficult because they already know that syringes hurt. If your child is still a baby, don't postpone immunization when he is old enough to get it. In addition to ensuring timely immunization, it also simplifies the process.

• Tell the child the injection time

Before vaccinating, tell the child that day he will be immunized by injecting with a syringe. On the one hand, maybe the child will feel anxious, but this is considered better than coming directly to the doctor without first telling him.

• Give an overview

Children are afraid of needles because they don't understand them. Provide information about the reasons for vaccination, as well as tell the process of the vaccination. In addition, give a description of the shape and size of the syringe used. If you can, let the child see his friends who have dared and finally managed to vaccinate.

• Make children feel happy

Provide information about vaccination in children, and make children stay cheerful before and after the process is complete. Encourage children to do fun activities, such as telling funny things, singing, or listening to music.

• Give moral support

Try to wait for your child during the vaccination process. Bring her favorite toy or doll. Moral support like this helps make children feel comfortable.

• Reduce pain

You can put ice on a child's skin. Do it just before vaccination, for one minute. This will reduce pain when the syringe penetrates the skin.

There is another generally effective way to get your child injected, which is to give gifts. By offering attractive gifts to your child, it is hoped that he will successfully fight his fear of needles. You can also offer it to buy new books, play in the park, or provide their favorite food. While waiting for the child's turn to be injected, you can provide food that he likes to divert attention. Sweets or other snacks are effective in keeping children busy and forgetting with syringes that scare them. It is important to remember, parents must stay calm so that they can get rid of child anxiety in the face of syringes. In addition, be smart to distract children, and make children stay comfortable.