Weather

Mostly Cloudy

77° F

Pollen 8

| Traffic

AJC HEALTH NEWS

How to keep kids calm for shots

McClatchy / Tribune

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

This year, doctors are recommending flu shots for all kids older than 6 months. Here are tips from pediatricians on easing any fears:

• Explain the reason. Tell your child that vaccinations are a way to stay healthy and strong.

Enlarge this image

Bigstockphoto.com

Reading is one way to keep a child preoccupied while waiting for a flu vaccination in a doctor’s office.

• Don’t lie. Prepare your child for the fact that a shot will hurt, but that the pain is likely to go away very quickly.

• Act low-key. Talking about shots long before an appointment, constantly reassuring kids and apologizing for pain can make them more anxious.

• Use different words. For some kids, the word “shot” is scary in itself. Try “vaccination” — or your own made-up word.

• Distract them. Read a book out loud, talk about a movie you just saw, take deep breaths together or point out cool pictures in the doctor’s office. Blowing on a pinwheel is a favorite tactic of some pediatricians.

• Take a comfort item. Younger kids might like to hold a favorite stuffed animal or blanket.

• Look away. A child who stares at an approaching needle or hears a countdown before a shot is more likely to tense up, which could make the process more painful.

• Ask about pain relief. If a child is extremely anxious, see if a doctor has numbing gel, cream or spray that could help. Giving a pre-vaccine dose of a children’s painkiller such as Tylenol also can cut down on post-shot discomfort.

• Ask about FluMist. Depending on the child’s age and the spray’s availability, kids may be able to get a nasal spray vaccine instead of a traditional shot.

• Make post-shot plans. Have your child help you decide on something fun to do — a trip to a playground, maybe, or a sweet treat — after the appointment.

Related health articles:

DOCTOR IS IN

doctor's hand coming out of a laptop screenWhy worry?

THINNER YOU

fat thighsLose weight. Together.

Related Subjects

Inside AJC.COM

Summery sips

Summery sips

Long, hot days have inspired these six cool cocktails. Bottoms up!

Beyonce concert review

Beyonce concert review

Watch a video of fans re-enacting their favorite parts of Beyonce's Atlanta concert.

Best of Luckovich: June

Best of Luckovich: June

Vote for your favorite Mike Luckovich editorial cartoons on local new, politics, celebrities and more!

Ingenuity + yard = fun

Ingenuity + yard = fun

Boredom and lack of money are the mothers of invention when it comes to lawn games such as lawn Scrabble.

Romantic vacation tales

Romantic vacation tales

Our new travel story contest centers on your most romantic vacation tales. Tell us, lovers.

Private Quarters Splurge

Private Quarters Splurge

Husband and wife architects created a modern house that's still warm and inviting.

Kudzu Services » Find the right people for the job