5 Ways to Soothe Your Baby After Vaccination

Every mom must have felt the shots piercing through, as their precious angels are subjected to the pain and shock of vaccination. I myself admit to being overcome with grief, even after going through it with 3 kids. One moment, the baby is smiling at me – looking re-assured that her mommy is there. The next moment, she is shocked and terrified out of her wits not knowing what happened to her while momma was busy distracting her. I feel like a traitor for putting her through this! The only saving grace of the entire situation being the realization that the vaccination has safeguarded your baby’s health.

As much as I loathe those visits to the pediatrician for the next ‘prick’, there is no escaping them. Fellow moms, especially new mommies, who follow my blog, asked for my tips and I am only too happy to share! Here are some things that work for me for soothing my baby after vaccination. You cannot ease the pain, but you can surely help reassure and comfort.

1. Swaddle

I cannot stress upon the importance of swaddling your baby. Read more about it in my post on SwaddleMe Wraps. Always swaddle your baby when going for a prick. Use a wrap that allows for freeing up the baby’s legs while keeping the chest still securely wrapped. It makes the baby held closer.

2. Hold Your Baby Close

The first thing to do immediately after the vaccine shot is to lift the baby from the clinic bed and hold very close to you. Do this while rubbing the vaccinated area. Nothing but nearness to you can fill the baby with warmth and reassurance that all is well. You are the most important person for the baby and being held in your arms and pressed close to your chest works wonders.

3. Breastfeed

Your breast is the most comforting place for your baby. Breastfeed the baby immediately. Wear maternity bras and tops or carry a shawl to be able to feed the baby right inside the clinic. The sucking action is the baby’s natural recourse from any panicky situation and helps calm it down. Also, breastmilk contains pain relieving and sedating hormones which will help baby sleep the pain off.

If you do not breastfeed, feed the baby with a bottle. Or hand a pacifier. Do whatever comforts and reassures your baby most!

4. Distract

Babies a few months old, are more aware of their surroundings. Quickly take them to a window or the next room. Show them something colorful or something that they like to see. Try to a pleasanter ‘shock’ by showing them something new or pleasing to forget the unpleasant shock they just received.

5. Favorite Toys

Carry the baby’s favorite musical toy along. The Baby Einstein ‘Carry Along Tunes’ has been my go-to toy for all 3 babies and has seen numerous vaccine shots, illnesses and tantrums. I make it a point to carry one in the diaper at all times, but especially for vaccination appointments. After the immediate comfort of holding close and breastfeeding, listening to a favorite tune or playing with a favorite toy will soothe the baby further and help relax.

Fussiness Continues After Vaccination?

It is normal for babies to cry their lungs out after vaccination. Using the above tips should help. You will more often than not, be able to calm your baby in a few minutes. There could be traces of shock and snobs for up to 30 minutes, though. But sometimes, the babies carry that shock with them for several days. Your baby could be fussy, and start crying with every little shock, for up to 7 days! Don’t worry and do not panic at all. Just continue to hold and feed until the baby is re-assured. Do this as many times as necessary. Drop everything else and be there for your baby. Soon, your closeness and attention will re-assure the baby and things will go back to normal again.

Older Babies Are Smart – Too Smart!

Frequent vaccinations continue for two years, post which they become less frequent. Babies, around their first birthday, start getting really smart. They recognize people, places and experiences. They might refuse to go the clinic at all if they remember it from their previous visit. But older babies are also easier to distract. Their surroundings, new people, other babies and kids, animals, the doctor’s stethoscope etc. can be used to distract much more easily than wee ones.

Vaccinations are a trying time for all mommies – no matter how much or how less experience they have. Brace yourself and stay strong. Remind yourself constantly that it is only for your baby’s health that you are choosing to do this. Very soon, your baby will once again be sleeping comfortably in your arms – stronger and more immune to diseases that would have caused more nightmares than one painful shot.