11 Best Ways To Reduce Your Baby’s Vaccination Pain

‘How to ease my baby’s vaccination pain?’ This is perhaps the most frequently asked question by newer parents. Most parents feel bothered about the idea of the slightest pain to their little ones. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccination keeps babies safe from over 14 deadly diseases. Considering the uncountable benefits that vaccination has, the pain endured is well-justified. 

According to CDC, NHS, UNICEF and WHO, childhood immunisations program by countries are designed to protect children against a variety of serious or life threatening diseases including

• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Whooping Cough (pertussis)
• Polio
• Pneumococcal disease
• Meningococcal
• Meningococcal ACWY disease
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Rotavirus
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• influenza (flu)
• Typhoid
• Tuberculosis
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Smallpox

While these vaccinations are proven to build immunity of your child against these diseases but sometime they may few side effects including pain, redness and swelling at the vaccination site. However, there are some helpful ways that can certainly help you soothe the pain caused by vaccine shots. Learn some of the best ways below to reduce pain after vaccination in babies

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Top 11 Tips For Pain Management After Vaccination In Babies 

Pain is indeed one of the most common after-effects of vaccination in babies. Most young moms feel upset about the post-vaccination causes, such as pain and fever. Some parents even believe that these shots may even result in serious side effects or the development of severe illness. While there are risks involved, cases of severe side effects from vaccination are very uncommon. 

Before the introduction of vaccination, there were millions of deaths each year due to the development of deadly diseases, such as measles, chickenpox, diphtheria, polio, smallpox, and many more. Thus, it becomes important to keep your child vaccinated to prevent any such risks and boost their immunity. Given below are the top ten ways that could help ease the pain in your little one caused by vaccine shots. 

1. Hold Your Baby Close To You

Did you know that holding your baby close to you can help relieve your kid’s pain? A report published by Pediatrics suggests that the presence of parents near the infant can distract them and keep them calm during the process. In this context, the best way is to hold your baby in a comfortable position facing you, keeping the body part that’s to be vaccinated accessible to the doctor. 

2. Breastfeeding Your Baby Can Ease Pain

Breastfeeding during baby shots is yet another helpful way to ease the pain. A study found that babies who were breastfed during the procedure felt less pain in comparison to those who were not. Breastfeeding actually helps to distract the baby besides providing close contact that eventually aids in relieving pain. Furthermore, the slight sweetness of the breast milk may help reduce the pain. However, some people suggest breastfeeding after the vaccination as there are chances that your baby might throw up while vaccinating.    

3. Distract Your Baby

Distracting your baby is another significant step that is effective in soothing post-vaccination pain in infants. This is no brainer that bringing along a balloon, a simple game, or your kid’s favorite toys will keep him occupied while the doctor injects the vaccine. 

4. Give Your Baby Sweet-tasting Solutions

You may ask your baby’s doctor to give a sweet-tasting solution to your child. This is because a sweet taste can lower the pain in your kid. The solution containing glucose or sucrose is administered 1-2 minutes before the doctor gives the vaccine shots. You can also consider giving sugar water to your baby before the vaccination, as sugar helps in reducing the stinging pain caused due to vaccine shots.  

5. Use Pain-relieving Sprays Or Ointments

You can request your baby’s doctor to give you a pain-relieving ointment or a cooling spray that can help in soothing any form of pain on the skin due to the vaccine. However, you must note that this method takes some time to work. Thus, it is best to seek advice from the doctor before your visit. 

6. Try The 5S’ Technique

Several studies have proved that touching your baby can help reduce stress and relieve pain in them. Try the 5S technique, i.e., swaddle, side-stomach position, shush, swing, and suck. It is the most often used method by mothers for soothing and relaxing their little ones. 

7. Bring Your Kid’s Favorite Thing

Bringing your kid’s favorite thing, such as a new toy or playing with their favorite cartoons, can help make the situation less stressful. Even a book or any other thing that your baby finds comforting can work in relieving the pain as it will keep the child distracted. 

8. Give More Liquids

In case you have started giving solid food to your infant, you might want to rely on giving a liquid diet to your little one. You can try giving juices, purees, etc. This is because there are chances they consume comparatively less for the first 24 hours of getting vaccinated. However, if your baby is dependent on breastfeeding, you can continue with the same. 

9. Ask The Doctor For Oral Analgesics

Oral analgesics are another method that might be helpful in reducing stinging pain in infants. Your baby’s doctor might recommend administering oral analgesics, such as ibuprofen, considering your baby’s age, weight, or height. However, you must know that it is not recommended to give any such medications without a prescription. 

10. Give Your Baby A Peace Time

It is common that your little one might feel distressed or irritated after vaccination. Thus, it becomes important to give your baby some quiet time in a peaceful room and normal temperature conditions. A study stated that the stress level in nearly 50 percent of babies was affected by the behavior of their parents. Therefore, it is simultaneously important for parents too to remain calm during the process. 

11. Using Combination vaccines

A combination vaccine is two or more different vaccines that could be given individually combined into a single shot. Combining vaccines into fewer shots may mean that you baby will get all the benefits of individual separate vaccine and protection against several diseases but with fewer shots. Fewer shots means less injection pricks, and less pain of multiple injections and discomfort for children. Not all individual vaccines can be combined into a single shot, please consult your doctor before taking any combination vaccines or combining any vaccines.

The Takeaway

Most newer parents feel stressed about seeing their baby cry. If you’re worried about how to ease the vaccination pain, with these ten tips, you will surely be able to find out something that works the best for your baby.