By Iris Farrou
31 Mar, 2023
Fatherhood, Lifestyle Tips, New Moms, Parenting, Procedures, Your baby's health
Baby Healthcare, Infant Health, Infant Healthcare, Infant Vaccines, newborn expectations, Should I vaccinate my newborn, When should my newborn visit the doctor
If your baby is at the age when the first vaccinations are needed, it is understandable that there may be some stress surrounding the upcoming visit to the doctor. Of course, any doctor’s visit with a newborn is stressful, but it can be worse if you know there will be a needle poking your baby’s skin. Not a pretty image, but a necessary one! The first thing you can do to be adequately prepared for the situation is to educate yourself first. Read up on the first vaccines that your baby needs and the advantages that come with them; ease your mind by knowing how much safer your infant will be. You may find an easily accessible vaccine schedule from birth to 18 years at the Center for Disease Control.
Once you are more informed about the first vaccines your baby will be receiving, you can start preparing for the visit. A lot of nurses report that the number one factor that makes these first vaccinations difficult is the stress of the parents. It is important for your baby, and for the medical professionals, that you remain calm and as stress free as possible. If your baby feels you are calm, hears a soothing tone of voice from you, and picks up on reassuring messages, the calmer they will be and the easier the process will be.
To prepare for the visit, you can have a talk with your child about what will happen. You can use simple words, or imitate the motions that the doctor will perform to help them understand. Remain relaxed and upbeat while you are explaining this, and during the vaccination. Heading to the doctor’s office, you may want to bring your child’s favorite toys with you, or other items that give them comfort. That way, they will be able to focus on something pleasant.
If you are breastfeeding, it is a good idea to breastfeed right before your baby receives the vaccine. Breastfeeding is a great way to provide comforting close contact and help relax your child. You can also ask your doctor to give your baby something sweet two minutes before the shot: a small amount of sweetness can help reduce the pain of the shot. Another possibility is to ask for a pain relieving ointment or spray. This can be one your doctor provides you with and you apply before the visit, or a topical cooling spray that they will apply before the shot. Both options topically block the pain signals from the skin. Right before the shot, try to distract your child by pulling their attention away from the doctor; it can be as simple as calling their name, singing their favorite song, or telling a story. Keep the distraction going even after the vaccine is given.
After the shot is given, comfort your child by holding them close, or swaddling them. Close contact, whispers, and cuddles are all helping reduce the stress and distract from the pain. If your child has mild reactions from the shot, like topical swelling or a mild fever, don’t be alarmed as these are normal reactions. If something concerns you, however, always contact your doctor and seek further medical advice and help.
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In recent years there has been an increasing amount of dialogue and debate about the benefits of immunizations for newborns. While every parent needs to decide how best to safeguard the health of her child, it is essential to understand the benefits of immunizations, and the risks involved in choosing not to immunize. Before you choose to say “no” to vaccinating your baby, consider the following proven health benefits.
Immunizations are Life Savers
Immunizations can save your child’s life. Today’s vaccines have proven to protect children from complex and deadly diseases that, in the past, took the lives of thousands of children each year. Vaccinations have helped to all but eliminate such diseases as smallpox, diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever, whooping cough, polio, and measles. To continue to keep children safe from these diseases, each generation must maintain immunity through the use of proven childhood vaccinations.
Immunizations Help Prevent Lifelong Disabilities
Some vaccine-preventable diseases, even if not deadly, can result in prolonged health complications and disabilities. For example, pertussis, or whooping cough, can cause such complications as pneumonia, seizures, or brain damage, while polio can result in life-long paralysis. Since there is no cure for diseases such as polio, vaccination is the only way to protect children from possible lifelong disabilities associated with these diseases.
Immunizations are Safe
For parents fearing the potential risk factors of vaccinations, take comfort in knowing that vaccinations are both safe and effective. All vaccines are heavily tested and their results are monitored before being mass produced and distributed. While such mild side effects as discomfort, redness and tenderness at the injection site are known to occur, such factors should be of minimal concern compared to the risks of the diseases that vaccines prevent.
Immunizations are Required by Many Institutions
Many schools and health care facilities require children to be vaccinated before admittance. By choosing not to vaccinate your child, you may be limiting your child’s future opportunities for care and education.
Immunizations Protect the Future
Thanks to vaccinations, small pox is one disease that has been completely eradicated. Today, immunizations save an estimated 9 million lives around the world each year. Despite these advances, scientists believe that an additional 16 million deaths could be avoided annually if effective vaccines were deployed against all vaccine-preventable diseases. With more parents willing to vaccinate their children today, we have a better chance of protecting children tomorrow from the continued threat of preventable diseases and their long-term effects.
If you are considering whether or not to vaccinate your child, talk to your child’s doctor about the benefits and potential side effects of immunizing your newborn. Every parent wants to protect his child from health threats and give him the best chances to live a long and healthy life. Regular immunizations should be a part of every parent’s disease prevention plan for their child. With generations of proven effectiveness, parents can rest assured that the benefits of vaccinating their child will far outweigh any temporary discomfort.
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