I strongly encourage you to read up on the vaccinations that your child will be getting prior to arriving at your health clinic. In addition to this, here are a few tips to help you and your baby get through the process:
- Arrive a few minutes early. This can be a stressful enough experience that having a time crunch will only add additional stress. This will also give you time to snuggle your baby and relax before the shots commence.
- Ask questions. Nurses are there for a reason, and if you have any questions at all, now is the time to ask.
- Nurse while the shots are given. This was the key to our experience being successful. While it won’t prevent baby from crying, it is there as added comfort and a nice distraction.
- Have Tylenol on hand in case you need it. Nothing is worse than having to drive out with a crying baby….
- Relax. Babies pick up the energy of their mamas… If you are calm, this will only help calm baby.
- Give lots of post-needle snuggles.
Happy immunizations, and remember, short term pain for long term gain!
P.s. – Good for you for taking your child to get immunized. Make sure you stop and pat yourself on the back!
M.J.
