“I was a sickly child and had to get vaccinated often. The doctor always went “Looook! There’s a white crow!” and jab! The scene usually ended with me crying uncontrollably. I never found this elusive white crow that paid me a visit every time I went to his clinic. But my father would get me a candy bar right after I got the shots. It was still painful, but the candy bars made up for it just a little bit.” says Amaan, a college student in Mumbai.
Amaan’s little story might seem funny now, but it would be a borderline traumatic experience for both him and his parents. Studies have shown that 2 in 4 adults are afraid of needles. If you ask them “why?” they’d say, “It’s been this way since I was a child.” It starts from bad childhood experiences with needles. It’s bad enough to have a medical name: Trypanophobia.
Getting your first vaccine for newborn baby? Well, it certainly won’t be your last anytime soon. Before your baby turns 2, they would be poked by a needle at least 20 times. These newborn baby vaccinations protect your baby from almost 20 dreaded diseases, including hepatitis, polio, rubella, tetanus and TB. But your baby doesn’t know this, so they’ll cry anyway!
But here’s the thing, shots don’t always have to be painful. There are some tips and tricks that can reduce the pain for your baby. If they can’t reduce the pain, they can at least soothe them afterwards. We have listed a few for you.
Hold Your Baby Close During Baby Shots
Holding your baby in your arms can create a soothing and safe experience for your baby, they won’t feel out of place and tense. This can significantly reduce the pain of the dreaded needle. They’ll never notice anything out of place, it’s just another good old day in their parents’ arms, for the first few visits to the doctor at least.
Feed Your Baby to Relieve Vaccination Pain
Breastfeeding your baby may help relieve the vaccination pain. A recent study has found that babies who were breast-fed during vaccination cried less than the other babies, it certainly makes for a delicious distraction. Even though breastfeeding is a good idea, your baby is also more likely to throw up during the vaccination if they have just eaten before getting shot.
You can take a call on this one. Or you can look for more options below.
A Little Sugar Water
Sweet flavors cause the brain to release feel-good hormones. Basically, we are tricking their brain into thinking this is a pleasant experience. This is also one of the reasons why breastfeeding during vaccination works. But if you’re a dad and don’t know what to do, sugar water is your answer!
Dip your baby’s pacifier in sugar water and give it to them or place a few drops of the water in your baby’s tongue right before the vaccination.
Distract Your Baby to Reduce Baby Shots Pain
The classic trick, and probably the most important one. Bring a toy or any item that can hold your baby’s attention. Playing with toys, reading a story, listening to music, anything works as long as you can distract your baby from the needle pain. If your baby likes Cocomelon, then show them Cocomelon! Your doctor might go “kids who-haven’t-even-got-their-six-month-shot these days…” but it’s worth it.
Numbing Medicine May Soothe a Newborn
Numbing creams exist and some are safe for children, ask your doctor if they have any numbing creams before getting your baby vaccinated. Numbing creams block your baby’s nerves from transmitting painful signals to the brain. So technically, you just erased pain from the entire equation. A win for all!
Try Tylenol to Prevent Fever After Vaccines
Giving your baby Tylenol prevents your baby from getting fever after the vaccination. It can also help lessen vaccination pain right afterwards.
Keep calm and get the job done. If you are panicking and prancing around, who will calm your baby?! If you are 2 in 4 adults who are afraid of needles, take comfort in knowing that you got your baby’s back, and these vaccinations will prove helpful in the long run. Do everything you can to make this a pleasant experience for your baby.
After the vaccination, your baby might get fever. Talk with your baby’s doctor to learn how to deal with their fever. The most important thing to do when your baby has fever is to make sure your baby stays hydrated and is getting enough sleep. To make sure your baby doesn’t wake up every 1 to 3 hours when they pee, have them wear Snuggy Baby Diapers: One of the best overnight diapers for newborns.
You got this! If you have any doubts or suggestions, drop them in the comments below!
