Our tips on little ones getting used to injections

So - your little one goes from living a normal life of just having had the routine immunisations when they are babies - some scream - some don't - Just like adults really -  bit like Marmite - you either don't mind them ( dare I say there are actually people out there that love them) and some hate them. The moments when Mummy and Daddy both go to the doctors and Mummy is actually going to stand outside for a bit and come back for comforting baby afterwards! We all have our own ways of coping with it. Then all of sudden injections are a new family member. 

The thought as a parent pretty much just smacks you in the face -your knocked out - you don't want to get back up. So goodness knows how it makes little ones feel- all of a sudden - for reasons unknown to them they have to have needles - they also probably want to run?! Lets face it none of my family have to do this so why should I? 

It took me a while to remember that  even though I know this is what we have to do - Oliver doesn't understand so I'm going to have to find a way to make him understand and make him be OK with it. 

We thought we were fighting a loosing battle - we would have to pin him down with him kicking, screaming and running away. He wouldn't let you go near him as he knew what was coming. This was a boy that pulled down the Christmas tree in A&E because he had an outbreak not wanting to be injected! We had tried rewards - stickers, watching his favourite TV programme, going to the park, even food ( although at the time we tried to avoid this as it seemed like a hassle having to count the extra carbs). Just nothing worked. We had seen the children's psychologist  but Oliver didn't want to speak to her and we had tried everything she had said.  I felt alone and didn't know what else to do. The only thing we could do was persist with trying and try and use the following techniques - in the end - im not sure when as it seemed like it just happened over the course of the first few months but he got used to it. 

• My number one is treat it as a positive thing - part of a new routine. Talk about it in simple terms with them- we need the injections to keep you healthy so you can grow and be strong. Don't treat it as something that has to be done and try not to let them see that you might be nervous or don't want to do it. The injections are here to help you they are good. 
• Be organised - set everything up before calling them for the testing and injection - it makes life a whole lot easier if its done quickly and goes to plan first time. No one wants to wait around and watch and wait for ages  especially not a toddler! 
• Distract them with their favourite TV programme - but remember you cant do this when you are out so maybe use a tablet if you have one or your mobile phone. 
• You could try a reward chart - crazy as it sounds as I'm not really a believer of rewarding the child for something they need to do to keep alive. 
• Look into an I-port. Lots of information through google on this. 
• Try creating a sticker chart with a reward after so many stickers. 
• Get in touch with people around you. There are several support groups via Facebook for example or forums where you can talk to mums/ parents in the same situation. Ask your diabetic team if there are other children that live locally to talk to. At first you may not feel like doing this but its always good to have a support network around you that are in a similar situation - it might be that the children can meet up to play to show that your child isn't the only one that is having injections. 
• Pick out a good you tube video that shows your child that other children are having the injections too. There are lots out there. 
• Encourage your child every time they show a little bit of interest with their diabetes. Show them a positive experience.Never try and rush it along and say 'just let me do it, it will be much quicker'. 
• Try naming the pens or equipment to use- maybe the term of 'magic wands' rather than insulin pens?

Just remember that all children learn at different rates and have their own fears - each child is an individual - the support is out there. I have learnt not to worry about asking for help.