Decreasing The Pain Your Child Feels From Vaccinations

If your child is ready to receive scheduled immunizations, you are likely to be a bit anxious about the ordeal and how they will react when they feel the pain associated with the administering of these protective tools. Reducing the amount of pain your child feels can be done by taking a few steps before their physician injects them. Here are some tips you can try to help reduce the amount of pain your child feels when it is time to get shots at their doctor's office.

Bring Along A Few Distractions

One way to reduce anxiety in children when immunizations are imminent is to bring a few favorite toys or books to the doctor's appointment. Consider purchasing a new coloring book and crayons or a small toy that you are sure your child will have some interest in exploring. As they are paying attention to their new treasured item, the doctor can administer the vaccinations, possibly making them less noticed by your child if they are distracted at the time. Allowing your child to play a game on your cell phone may also come in handy at this time.

Ask Your Child To Cough At Specified Times

A study was done by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in 2010 that showed some children suffered from less pain from administered immunizations if they coughed right before each immunization was administered, as well as when a needle penetrated the skin. Explain to your child that coughing at an exact time can help reduce the pain felt from the shot. Ask your child to practice a few times before the doctor arrives in the exam room. Tell your child to mimic your coughs and cough along with you when it becomes time for the doctor to give the shots. You will be able to determine the timing as you watch the doctor undertake the task in giving immunizations. 

Give Your Child A Pain Reliever Before The Appointment

If you wish to decrease the amount of pain your child feels from their immunizations, a pain reliever can be given to them before their scheduled appointment time. Give your child the appropriate dosage for their age and weight before leaving your home. This will allow the pain reliever to distribute itself throughout your child's body by the time you reach the doctor's office. It will be unnecessary to give your child a pain reliever following their immunizations if you decide to give it beforehand. Make sure to read the pain reliever instructions regarding subsequent dosage times if your child feels pain at the injection site areas when this medication wears off.

For more information and tips to help your child with their immunizations, talk with a family care physician.