Don’t be too Quick to Give Painkillers

The reality is that vaccine shots can hurt and the baby’s discomfort might last longer than that brief needle prick. Painkillers, however, should not be the first response to this.

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms that children experience after vaccination are a normal part of the body’s efforts to fight infections.

The immune response triggered by many vaccines can cause irritability, soreness, fatigue, or loss of appetite.

The City’s health practitioners advise that parents can do a number of things to ease a child’s discomfort during and after they get their shots:

• Breastfeed – ask the health care provider to administer shots while the child is being breastfed, or a mother can breastfeed immediately after

• Distract and stimulate cuddling, singing, or talking softly with your baby during vaccination may help
• Bring the child’s favourite toy or something that you use regularly to comfort the baby
• Give the child lots of liquid, as some children tend to eat less during the 24 hours after getting vaccines.

It is important to watch your child for a few days after the vaccination. If baby develops symptoms that concern a parent, like a persistent fever or rash, seek medical attention.