Immunizations

Hi,

I am a first time mum and I'm approaching the 6 week mark with my boy. I've been dreading it but i have to take him for his immunization shots and was wanting to get some advice on how i can make this experience for him as stress free as possible.

I just did the worst thing by looking up videos on youtube and ended up like this >>

Any parental advice would be most appreciated. (Apologies if a thread like this already exists). Cheers

Hi - try not to worry too much is tip number one :) It is likely to be much better than you expect - my two have both barely cried with theirs, I think the key is that they pick up on your moods so if you're stressed/nervous/upset they will be too.

Ask the nurse if you can hold your baby rather than having them lying on the bed - I have found this is best as they feel safe and secure when they are with you. Just hold him really really tight and make comforting sounds to reassure/distract him. Once he's had each jab (he will be having one in each leg) cuddle him with lots of shhhing and rubbing his back. That should calm him down pretty quick.

Obviously this is just my experience - it is the sort of thing that is a lot harder on us than it is on them! DS2 had his 5 month jabs today and I was singing to him - he barely noticed at first, then cried for about 5 secs until he started giggling again as I jumped him up and down to the tune of "the grand old duke of york"!

Good luck :)