how do you prepare for a vaccination?

The girls are getting their first vaccinations on Friday- they will be getting the DTaP and polio combined.
I have read there are things you can do to hopefully minimize the negative reactions. Based on what I've read I was going to give a multivitam for a couple of days before, an anaesthetic patch on the area of the shot one hour before the dr. appointment, and acetaminophen right after the shots and 4 hours after.
Is there anything else I should do? I just hate the idea of them being uncomfortable. I know I can't control everything but hope to control what I can.

 

My little ones had their first shots on Wednesday and it went fine. They had four shots each and they cried when it happened but my DS fell asleep right after and my DD fell asleep on the drive home. I did not do anything prior to the shots but when we came home they each got Tempra for the day and both were fine the next day. I am sure they did not need the Tempra but I felt why wait until they may.
Good luck.

 

I always administer tylenol prior to going to the Dr. to get shots as well as 4 hours later. It seems to help and that is what the Dr recommended. None of my children have had any negative reactions to shots besides localized soreness in the leg where the shot was given for about a day after. If your babies breastfeed, it really helps to put them to the breast just after getting the shots as well. If not, a bottle will help soothe as well. Good Luck!

Kelly

 

I gave some tylenol right before the shots. In reality the pain is minimal and they tend to react to it and then be done. I would call the doctor and ask what s/he recommends. They could tell you how much tylenol to give if necessary.

 

Tylenol will work best if you give it 1/2 hour prior to the shot. If you're breastfeeding, studies have shown that babies who nurse DURING the injection have a much lower pain response than babies who don't or who nurse immediately after. Sometimes the person giving the shot will hassle you about it (mainly because they have to get into a different position to administer the injection), but it really helps your babies feel less pain.

 

We don't do anything before but I do give them sugar water on their pacifier immediately before the shots and immediately after. I think it helps them calm down quicker and the doctor said the sugar rush helps with the pain. Afterwards I give tylenol every 4 hours the first day then as needed the next day.

 

I also did not do anything before they got their shots. They calmed right down and fell asleep afterwards. When I got home I gave them Tylenol just in case they might have pain. We didn't have any problems or side effects.

 

quote:
Originally posted by Cindy123:
the doctor said the sugar rush helps with the pain.
This is the same theory as the breastfeeding study, along with the comfort they get from sucking .

 

I give tylenol about 1/2 hour before and every 4 hours after until bedtime. No problems here so far.

 

I wouldn't recommend giving any tylenol until after their temps have been taken at their appointment (axpan, I know you said after but just responding to the additional posters and trying to provide some helpful info). Fever can be a side effect of the immunizations and tylenol given prior to the appointment could mask an existing fever. Immunizations should not be given if there is an existing fever.