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Immunizations: Taking the Sting Out of Shots

“Am I getting a shot today?”  That’s what one 5-year-old asks her mother every time she visits the doctor.  Understandably, most kids don’t like to get shots.  Many of them are terrified at even the thought of a shot.

Well, the Mayo Clinic has some tips that will hopefully make handling shots a little easier.

A Spoonful of Medicine

With your physician’s approval, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen before the shot, to help lessen the pain. Just be sure to follow label directions carefully.  You can also bring an ice pack with you to the doctor’s office and apply to the injection site after the shots.

Pre-medicating can possibly minimize the side effects some children experience, such as low-grade fever and tenderness at the injection site. In extremely rare cases, your child may have an allergic reaction or neurological side effects. If you suspect this, go to an emergency room or contact your physician immediately. If you have fears about vaccines, talk with your doctor, who can explain their safety and importance.

Infants

Although infants may not be aware of what is about to happen, they are very adept at picking up on the emotions of people around them, particularly their mother. So if you are tense and anxious, your baby is going to feel it and react in the same way. So more important than preparing your infant is preparing yourself. Remember that the pain is only temporary and it is necessary for their health.

In addition to remaining calm yourself, you can help your infant by bringing a few comforting objects, such as a favorite blanket or toy, a pacifier or a bottle. Be sure to hold and comfort your child during the shots. Speak in a calm, reassuring voice, and even sing a favorite song.  As soon as you can, nurse your baby or give her a bottle or pacifier.

Young Children

When your children reach an age where they are able to understand basic concepts, explain to them how shots protect them from getting really sick. Tell them that some medicines can only work when they are given through a needle, and even though they may hurt, they are necessary.

The Mayo Clinic warns, “Because shots hurt, children often assume they are harmful or even a form of punishment.” So make sure your child knows this is something that will help them and is not a punishment. And don’t let them procrastinate or talk you out of getting their shots — they are critical to their health.

When you explain the pain of a shot, the Mayo Clinic suggests, “Be honest and tell your child that the shot will probably hurt. Compare the pain to that of a mosquito bite, and emphasize that it will probably last only a few seconds.”

The Mayo Clinic has found that the best time to tell your child about his next injection is the day of the appointment. Children do best in the doctor’s office when they are expecting the shot, but if they are told too far in advance, they may begin worrying about the upcoming visit.

However, you know your child, and some children do best if they don’t know about the shot until right before it happens.  If your son or daughter has a tendency to become extremely frightened, you might want to hold off on giving too much warning.

If you have told them in advance, what do you do once you’re in that waiting room and the anxiety starts setting in? Try distracting your child by reading to him, talking or watching a video. If you have a portable DVD player or video game player, bring that along. (Just be sure to bring headphones so you don’t distract the other patients.)

As your child is about to receive the shot, have your child take a deep breath and exhale. Some children find counting aloud helps them, while others may prefer squeezing their parent’s hand. Think about what works best for calming your child whenever he gets into a scrape at home, and try to using that technique.

Once the shot is over, you can probably expect some tears. This is OK. Just be sure to comfort and praise your child for being brave. Consider having a special treat for your child after the visit, whether it is a new toy or a trip to the ice cream shop.

Medical information within this site is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of any health condition. Please consult a licensed health care professional for the treatment or diagnosis of any medical condition.

Information for this article was taken from The Mayo Clinic.

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