How Do You Prepare Your Child for Their Vaccination?
Vaccination can be a scary experience for most children. But the good news is, you can make the process as ‘painless’ and ‘stress-free’ as possible. And here’s how. 
๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
- In bigger children, it is important to talk about why they need their vaccines. Emphasize that vaccines will protect them from harmful diseases.
- Getting a shot can be painful or stinging but tell your child that the pain is just for a short while. Avoid telling scary stories or making threats about shots.
- Getting a reward after vaccination can be a positive motivation for children. It can be as simple as an extra 30 minutes of game time or an ice-cream treat! Praising them after their vaccination works as well!
๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง)
- Distract and comfort by cuddling, singing or talking softly. Smile and make eye contact with your child to give him or her reassurance.
- Comfort your child with his or her favorite toy, book or familiar smelling blanket.
- After the shots, hold and cuddle your child. A soothing voice combined with praises and hugs is reassuring. Babies can be soothed through swaddling, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding.
๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ)
- Create distractions by telling or reading stories.
- Support your child if he or she cries. Never scold a child for not being โbraveโ.
- Take deep breaths with your child to help โblow outโ the pain.
P.S We do not wave our vaccine syringes up in the air!
