Question about Dr's visits

PrairieMom wrote: When you guys take your kids in for checkups and shots do you hold your child when they do the shot or does a nurse do it?

In our Dr's office the nurse will hold the legs down and give the shot in the leg, while the parent holds the arms down, and keeps the baby still.

One of the nurses I work with at the hospital was very surprised to hear this. She said that it is a huge no-no for a parent to hold their child down.

Our nurse never brings anyone with her to help, so I assumed i would have to do it.

BabyOwen427 replied: That's the way we do it. What's wrong with it? I like being right there to talk to him and comfort him.

PrairieMom replied:
I don't really know. something about associating mommy's face with he fear and pain of getting shots... I always hold mine too. I get right down on them and whisper in their ears. Then I scoop them right up and hold them. I would WAY rather be the one holding them down. Thats probably just me tho, since I am so used to it, from working in the hospital.

gotoneson replied: That's how I do it. I sort of hug him to hold him down, and I also whisper in his ear.
GotOneSon

luvbug00 replied: we sat mya on our laps and gave her a teddy to hug and we both "hugged" the teddy together durring leg shots.

Our Lil' Family replied: That's how we do it too Tara. I like being right there in his face so I can comfort him and kiss his face. Then I grab him asap and hold him until he's okay.

Mommy2Isabella replied: At our old Ped. They wouldn't let you hold the child, thats part of the reason they are the old ped.

The new one, encourages you to hold them, so you can comfort them and let them know getting shots isn't that bad I guess. Isabella always does really well with them only crys for a second ...

Cece00 replied: I hold my kids.

boyohboyohboy replied: I always hold my kids too.

stella6979 replied: DH and I always go together and he insists on holding her, cause he can't stand to see the look on her face. I, on the otherhand, get a big kick out of it. Is that terrible or what?

PrairieMom replied:
nope. Benjamin was freaking out so hard last time I got the giggles.

Calimama replied: DH holds her, she doesn't really cry as long as she can have her stickers beforehand.

stella6979 replied:
Don't get me wrong, I feel terrible that she's in pain, but the look on her face is priceless. I was so bummed I didn't take the camera for her first set of shots, but I'm pretty sure I will remember that look for the rest of my life.

PrairieMom replied:
I think I just handle stress that way. It really isn't good when they are scared half to death and I am laughing at them. it really isn't funny, but I totally get the giggles anyway.

luvmykids replied:
That's me too, I think it would be far more traumatic to have two strangers holding them down

And I never lie to them that it won't hurt....I tell thim it will but that I'll be right there with them.

HuskerMom replied: I've held Keith on my lap each time. It makes me feel better too. I always feel like crying also.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I can't imagine standing back and watching my child scream while someone else held them down. I want to comfort them...afterall, it's not ME giving them the shot.

jem0622 replied: Um...yeah...whatever. I do exactly what you have done. Holding the upper body (sort of snuggling with them so they don't see) while they hold the legs.

lovemy2 replied: Oh No - I stand out of her/his sight and cry....so thank goodness I am out of their sight... but to be honest they don't really "hold him down" so to speak - they are actually quite gentle and very reassuring....especially as they get older....

And they immediately move so I can pick them up...I guess if I wanted to though I could hold them - Olivia now though for her flu shot I sit right next to her and hold onto her and like Monica I don't tell her it won't hurt but I also don't make a big deal when it is coming - last time they distracted her - gave her the shot and all she did was say "hey"....

MommyToAshley replied: I did the same... I held, snuggled and then scooped her up immediately after her shots.

I remember Ashley's first shot, it about broke my heart. She didn't cry but she just puckered up her lip and her bottom lip started quivering ... it was the saddest thing I had ever seen. It would have been easier (at least on me) if she had just screamed. But, she was back to herself in a minute or so.