Doctors and Nurses

Your first round of immunizations is easy - your baby has no idea what's coming and may scream the house down after an injection, but generally your doctor has little problem in administering vaccines. Toddler's, however, present a different challenge. They are aware that the doctor is going to stick a sharp point into their arm...and for obvious reasons, that's not a welcome thought! One way to ease the pain (mental if not physical) is to prepare them for injections in the days leading to the visit to the doctor. Play 'doctors and nurses' with your toddler, administer pretend injections, medicine, plasters and any other medical paraphernalia that your mind conjures up. In the days immediately prior to the visit, make a big charade; tell your child that you've received a special invitation from the doctor who's heard all about your games and that they would like to meet your child to show them the real surgery. With luck, your child will go willingly and will be less fearful of the idea of receiving an injection. Of course, you may find that you're not so lucky, but at least you tried to help them through a traumatic visit!