The W.O. Frohring Family Resource Center
Part of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, this center has a resource library with information on parenting, breastfeeding, sibling relationships and much more. Materials may be borrowed for a limited time within the hospital, and copying services are available.
Patients who have recently given birth at MacDonald Women’s Hospital find the library to be an excellent source on topics relating to newborns and their parents. The Frohring Family Resource Center supports a caring and effective partnership between families and their healthcare team by providing general assistance on baby care and health-related issues. You can learn more about the Center on the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital website. Community residents are also welcome to visit or call the center for information.
Health Encyclopedia
Babies and shots
Immunizations are important to keep your child healthy. This article discusses how to ease the pain of shots for babies.
See also: Immunizations
Many parents often wonder how to make shots less painful for their babies. Unfortunately, routine immunizations need to be given into the muscle or under the skin using a needle. Reducing your child's anxiety level is perhaps the best way to help limit the pain.
Here are some tips:
- Stay calm and do not let the child see if you are upset or anxious. Talk calmly and use soothing words.
- Hold your child on your lap facing you in a firm hug during the shot.
- Distract the child by blowing bubbles or playing with a toy.
- Place sugar on a newborn's tongue or pacifier.
- Put pressure on the area before the shot is given.
Some pediatricians recommend giving the child one dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen 30 minutes before the shot. Always check with your health care provider before giving these medications for this purpose. Some pediatricians use a pain-relieving spray or cream prior to immunizations.
Review Date:
6/19/2008
Reviewd By:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.