Palak Vyas

This is how you can help your child if (s)he is afraid of injections: The fear of injections is seen in both children and adults. Infants don't have fear of injections. But a child who is 4 or 5 years old, is scared of injection because he/she understands that injections cause pain. Tell the truth: Be honest with your child. Do not lie to your child ever that injection is not going to hurt because it actually does and when they experience it they will lose trust on you. Try explaining to them the importance and benefits of injections and vaccinations. Explain it to them that it's for a safety purpose. Tell them it's going to hurt but just for a few seconds.&nbsp;Don’t give them too much time to ponder: A child might get anxious and terrified if you tell them a lot beforehand. Do not share more details about the visit. You can tell your child just before you are about to leave for the visitor if your child needs some preparation time, tell accordingly.&nbsp;Using distraction and anaesthetic cream: Numbing/anaesthetic cream can be used to ease their pain. While the doctor gives the injection, hold your child’s hand, make some funny faces, tell jokes, sing a song, etc. In short, distract them from pain.&nbsp;Leave them alone with the hospital staff if required: Sometimes when children are around their parents, they throw tantrums. The moment you leave the room, they behave properly. So leave your child with the hospital’s staff, if need be.&nbsp;Ensure immediate relief: Rub the injection site gently after injection. Use cold compressor apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth. A small reward won’t harm: You can reward your child with a sticker, candy, his/her favourite ice-cream, bravery card or anything creative or innovative thing you can think of. Do not bribe them by saying, “You can have a treat if you get this vaccination”. Instead, you can say, “We can get a treat when your vaccination is done.” In rare cases, some children can get a syncope attack. In a syncope attack, there is a temporary loss of consciousness usually because of reduced blood flow to the brain. So the doctor always makes such a child sit or lay down on the bed before giving the injection. Make sure the child is fed properly before seeing the doctor.

Many children are afraid of injections, sometimes adults too.

Handling child who is afraid of injections

Normally babies cry after the injection because the prick of the injection is painful for a baby. The doctors usually advise the parents to give paracetamol to reduce the pain so the child can have some relief. Keep the following in mind to soothe your child after injection:<ul><li>Stay near your baby to distract and calm him/her during injection.</li><li>Hold your baby in a position so that the doctor can easily give injections.</li><li>If your baby is under 6 months, use a sugar solution to pacify him/her. You can dip his/her pacifier in a sugar solution and let him/her suck it.</li><li>Distract your baby with lights, sounds or some new toy.</li><li>After the injection, rub the vaccination site gently.</li><li>Swaddling can be helpful for little babies.</li><li>Place your baby on one side or on the stomach.</li><li>Swing him/her in your arms.</li><li>Feed your baby.</li><li>Apply cold compress at the site of injection.</li></ul>

Injections are painful for children so they tend to get cranky post one.

Soothing your baby after injection

Samiksha Choithani

Usually the reactions stay for a few days after the vaccination. If your child has taken a vaccination in the past few days you can expect these reactions:<ul><li>Low-grade fever</li><li>Redness and Pain around the leg or arm where the vaccination was given</li><li>Slight swelling</li><li>Trouble in sleeping</li></ul> Here are some tips to ease the pain:<ul><li>Feeding works wonders when babies are in pain, breastfeeding more often after vaccination can help the baby keep hydrated and take the mind off from the pain.</li><li>Apply ice pack in the injected area, you can also soak a soft cotton cloth in cold water and place it on the injected area.</li><li>Swaddle the baby immediately after vaccination.</li><li>Swing them in arms.</li><li>Do not massage in the injected area for a few days.</li></ul> If the reactions persist for more than 2-3 days, it is better to consult your child's paediatrician.

Almost all vaccinations have mild reactions post vaccination; this means the vaccine is working.

Common reactions after vaccination

Read the article to know how a child afraid of injections can be handled.

handling child who fears injection

Read the article to know how a child afraid of injections can be handled.

Handling child who is afraid of injections

Soothing your baby after injection

Common reactions after vaccination

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