How to Help Toddlers Deal With Shots
No one likes getting a shot. In fact, research shows that a majority of children have a fear of needles…and 25% of adults feel the same way. So, when your toddler whines and whimpers at the mention of a needle at their next doctor’s visit, you can probably relate! But, since avoiding recommended vaccines is not the answer, here are some helpful tips to ease your tot’s needle worries—and yours!
Talk about shots this way.
Before you head to the pediatrician’s office for your toddler’s shots, share with your kiddo what’s going to happen, using neutral language. That means, try to steer clear of words like pain, or hurt! Even if you say, “The shot won’t hurt,” your child will only remember the word hurt. Instead, say something like, “The doctor will give you medicine to help keep you healthy.” Have this conversation about an hour or so before the appointment. You don’t want to give your tot too much time to focus on—and worry about—their fear of getting a shot.
Be honest with your child.
Even though you’ll want to choose your words carefully, you also don’t want to sugarcoat the experience...or lie. If your little one asks if the shot will hurt, try something like, “You’ll feel a poke, then it’ll be done. You'll get a bandage afterward.” Or “You may feel a pinch, but it will be over quick.” At the same time, don’t apologize to your child about getting an immunization. While you may be tempted to say, “I’m so sorry the needle hurts” or “I’m sorry you’re scared,” if you apologize, you inadvertently send the message that you’re doing something wrong by getting your child vaccinated. Plus, research shows that apologizing is actually associated with a child’s needle stress! Instead, keep as calm and positive as you can while being matter of fact.
Channel your inner calm.
Throughout your talk—and when you’re at the doctor’s office—you’ll need to model calmness. After all, calm is contagious in the best way! Well before your child is staring down a needle, teach them how to tap their own calm. In the days or weeks leading up to the vaccination, introduce your child to “magic breathing.” This is a powerful de-stressor that can help toddlers feel more in control of their fear and anxiety. Sit in a comfy chair and ask your kiddo to do the same, telling them that you’re going to do some magic breathing, “This helps me feel better when I’m anxious.” Next, uncross your legs, place your hands in your lap, drop your shoulders, and relax the small muscles around your mouth and eyes. Slowly inhale through your nose (silently count to five) while raising one hand, then exhale through your nose (for another five), letting your hand slowly drop. When you’re ready, ask your child to copy you… then lead them through the motions. Do this several times leading up to the doctor’s appointment, so once you’re there and ready for the shot, you can practice magic breathing together. (Research shows that when parents offer coping strategies during a shot, it directly correlates to how well a child handles the experience.)
Bring something sweet.
Research has shown that the 5 S’s—swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking—that I first shared in my book The Happiest Baby on the Block—can quickly soothe young babies after an immunization…and a different S may be able to help bigger kids, too: something sweet! Some research has found that tasting something sweet one to two minutes before getting shot may help reduce a child’s pain response. Sweetness can help release the body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals and act as a distraction.
Offer distractions.
Bring a comfort item, like a cherished lovey or toy that can pull your child’s focus away from the ouch of a needle. A 2021 meta-analysis found that using distraction while a shot was being administered significantly side-stepped needle-related pain and distress in children. Try telling your little one a story, read them a book, play with a stuffed toy or a puppet, or have them watch funny cat videos on your phone! You can also use a little vibration. It’s believed that some kinds of sensory stimulation (like vibration) can distract pain signals before they reach the brain. Studies report that vibration can effectively relieve injection-induced pain in over 85% of people. (If your doc doesn’t have one, consider buying and bringing the vibrating/ice pack combo Buzzy with you as a vaccine helper.)
Find your tot’s comfort position.
Lying down for a shot can make a child feel vulnerable and even more fearful. Instead, let your kiddo sit on your lap. Being close to you will help them feel safe and, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, finding most comforting position can actually change how your child’s body processes pain signals. Try having your toddler sit on your lap with both legs to one side. This way you can give a hug that’s reassuring and helps keep their arms still at the same time. (Sitting on your lap facing away from you—or toward you—works, too.) If laps aren’t your toddler’s thing, hug them from behind as they sit on the exam table.
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