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How to sooth your screaming child at the doctor's office
Filed under: Places To Go, Health & Safety: Babies
Fortunately, I haven't yet had to take my daughter on a doctor's visit where she received an injection. I used to freak out at the thought of some guy jabbing my arm with a needle (tears, hysterics, the works), and I can only imagine that my child would do the same. She's a strong-willed person, and who can blame her? Shots suck.
If you're dreading taking your child to get vaccinated, or have blood drawn, or whatever -- never fear! Some genius (and I mean that in all serious) decided to do a study on what works best to calm kids at the doctor's office.
The results may seem obvious, but they're worth listing anyway. According to researchers, you can try: telling a joke, reading a book, bringing a favorite toy from home, blowing soap bubbles, and -- for babies under 6 months -- using a pacifier dripped in sugar water.
Oddly, what you shouldn't do is apologize, or excessive reassure your child, as that will only make them worse.
So instead, take a no-nonsense approach, bring along some good distractions, and try not to cry as your kid screams bloody murder with blame in their eyes.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
5-08-2007 @ 9:48AM
Ginny said...Thanks for posting this. I have to take my daughter for her last shots soon. I am dreading it as she breaks my heart every time. This time she is 5 and HOPEFULLY she'll be more brave. I am the kind that apologizes and reassures and I hadn't thought that it wasn't helping. I'll have to try the no-nonsense approach and see how that works. Not sure if my ped. wants me blowing bubbles in the exam room tho. lol
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5-08-2007 @ 9:48AM
Rachel May said...Oh, I HATED that look from my son -- the one that said, "WHY are you letting them DO this to me?!?!" All I could do was hold him tightly and tell him I love him.
Also, I was always told to give him a dose of Tylenol or ibuprofen about a half-hour before I brought him in. It really seemed to help.
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5-09-2007 @ 1:02AM
SKL said...When I used to take my baby sister, I talked to her in advance:
"You're going to get a shot."
"Is it going to HURT??"
"Yes, but only for a few seconds, then everything will be OK."
"I don't like shots."
"Well, it has to be done, so let's get it over with, and you'll feel better in no time."
She was a relatively calm child, so this worked with her. (She did yell at the doctor "HEY!" once when he decided to sneak a second shot in.) I will try it with mine when the time comes. If it doesn't work, oh well, the sharp pain really does go away pretty quickly.
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