It’s National Immunization Month and back to school time, so there’s no way to avoid the pinching, screaming, heart-palpitating visits to the doctor’s office. No one likes getting shots, and parents of infants hate watching their shots even more, it seems.
Everyday Health has some tips on making that dreaded doctor’s visit easier on your baby…and undoubtedly you too.
1. Hold your baby. This is no shocker, and the pediatrician will usually suggest you hold your baby anyway.
2. Food. Feeding your baby right after the injection may distract and soothe them. Doctors recommend feeding after the vaccination, since infants may be more likely to throw up during the injection if they’ve just eaten.
3. Sugar. Sounds like an old wives tale, but it’s been shown that a little sugar in their water before the shot or a pacifier dipped in sugar (given during the injection) can help alleviate some of the pain. This tip is particularly helpful for infants under six months.
4. Distraction. Make silly faces, sings a song, play with a toy…these are all things that will distract your child’s attention.
5. Try Acetaminophen. This is one that has worked for me and my daughter. A dose of acetaminophen given shortly before the injection helps lesson the pain afterward and also can reduce a slight fever that can result after a vaccination. Please note: one recent study found that using acetaminophen to prevent a fever might reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.
Read the full list of recommendations to ease vaccination pain here.
