Vaccines can make children nervous, but parents can help make shots less stressful. Be honest that the shot may hurt briefly, stay calm and reassuring, and consider practicing with pretend doctor visits before the appointment. During the vaccination, distraction can help—babies may benefit from breastfeeding, a pacifier, or skin-to-skin contact, while older children can cuddle with a parent, read a book, or watch a favorite video. Afterward, praise your child for being brave and cooperative.
I always hoped that, since I’m a pediatrician, my children would have no qualms about anything that happens at the doctor’s office. I was wrong. My children get as upset about shots, as fearful of a blood draw, and as manic about opening their mouths for a strep swab as the next kid. But shots don’t have to be a horrible experience for kids and parents alike. There are simple things we can do to calm our child, no matter her age, to make everything go a bit smoother.
Leading up to the doctor’s visit, your toddler or school-aged child may ask if it will hurt. Honesty is the best policy. Let him know that yes, it will hurt for a second, but it won’t be bad and you’re right there with him. Some kids like to role play beforehand, pretending to be the doctor giving shots to their parent or stuffed animal, which can make them more confident for the real thing.
At the doctor’s office, the first step in calming your child is checking in on your own mood. If you are relaxed that will rub off on your little one; if you’re stressed, that will too. How would you feel about getting a shot yourself? Probably not exactly excited about it, but also not too worried or afraid. You should feel that way about your child getting a shot. And your child will notice how you feel, and will tend to feel that way herself. Children are perceptive – pretending won’t help.
At the time of the shot, distraction can be very helpful. An infant may want to nurse, suck on a pacifier, or be skin to skin on a parent, all of which have been shown to reduce the stress of painful procedures in babies. An older child may want to hugged or cuddled, read a book, or even watch a favorite video on your phone. Encouraging your child to cough loudly right before and right after the shot has also been shown to reduce painful reactions in school aged kids and even middle schoolers (yes, they get scared, too).
Congratulate your child on being cooperative and brave, but don’t make too big a deal out of it Give her a high five, a hug or a cuddle to let her know you’re proud of her and then head out for a small reward. In our house we go for cake pops, and knowing there is a special treat waiting for my girls (and me!) at the end of a tough doctor’s visit puts everyone a little more at ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prepare my child for getting vaccines?
Be honest and reassuring. Tell your child that the shot may hurt for a second but that you will be there with them. For toddlers and school-aged children, practicing with a toy doctor kit or pretending to give a stuffed animal a shot can help make the experience more familiar.
Should I tell my child that a vaccine shot will hurt?
Yes. Spring Valley Pediatrics recommends being honest rather than telling children that a shot will not hurt. Explain that they may feel a quick pinch or discomfort, but it will be over quickly and you will stay with them.
How can I keep my child calm during a vaccination?
Start by staying calm yourself. Children notice how their parents react and may become more anxious if a parent appears worried. Reassurance, physical comfort, and distraction can make the vaccination experience easier.
What can distract a child while getting a shot?
Older children may benefit from cuddling with a parent, reading a book, or watching a favorite video on a phone. Giving your child something else to focus on can reduce anxiety surrounding the injection.
How can I comfort my baby during vaccinations?
Breastfeeding, sucking on a pacifier, or having skin-to-skin contact with a parent can help reduce a baby’s stress during painful procedures such as vaccinations.
