Need help with baby's crying during shots?( Experienced Parents)?

Question

My baby girl has to get her second set of shots and I don't think I could handle listening to her cry. I know that she needs her shots but her crying just hurts me. It makes me feel like a bad mom by letting her suffer like that that because she's so little. She's my first child so I'm not too experienced with this kind of stuff. I need advice from experienced parents on how to make it easier on me and her. Please help me.

Answer 1

I know how you feel. I felt so guilty for allowing the nurse to hurt him, but I kept telling myself that it's for his own good. Anyway, he only cries a sec when he gets a shot. It's the after effect that's worse. Hours of solid crying. I give him a nice bath and baby pain killer. Then he relaxes and can finally get some sleep.

Answer 2

We just went, and I don't cry, but I did bring one of his favorite toys to temporarily distract him, it worked for a short time, then he cried, then he was fine! You'll both get over it! lol.

Answer 3

it doesnt ever get easier.

i took my daughter for her first set, and although i knew it was totally necessary, it was the thought of 'im holding her while someone is hurting her'. it was honestly like a physical pain to me. i cried harder than she did - seriously!

so after that i went to the drs, but never went in the room with her. daddy went, then grandma, then auntie. everytime i was outside listening to little squeal, and it still hurt. but i was the good guy outside, who had nothing to do with it lol

i can also honestly say, the first ones were the worst, she was really cranky, crying harder. she just got her hib/men c booster last week, and my sis said when they put the needle in she just gasped as if to say 'what did you do that for?!' but that night she was totally fine, no fussiness and no need for medicine.

Answer 4

My daughter got her first shot a month ago and I'm still traumatized from her crying.  The look of pain and confusion on her face is still fresh in my memory!! The nurse didn't give me a chance to hold her...she just stuck my poor baby with the needle!  The next time she gets her shots, I will hold her and try my best to comfort her.

Answer 5

This is what I did.

When my twins were that age they were still laying on the table.

I leaned over them and I put my hands around their face and whispered in their ear over and over:

"It's ok, baby.  Mama is so sorry.  I'm so sorry but this is for your own good.  Mama is sorry.  It's Ok."

Then I picked her up when they were done and held her.

I repeated that for the next baby.

It's never easy.

Answer 6

Aww hun. I totally feel your pain. My son just actually had his 9 month round of shots last week. It kills me to see him cry like that... all i did was cry myself. all i could say to him was "mommy is so sorry, i love you, mommy is so sorry" over and over. afterwards i just picked him up and held him so close, stroking the back of his head... he didnt cry for very long... but still. it hurt to see him like that. after a couple minutes he calmed down...

there really isnt a way to make it easier, you just have to bear with it. i know its hard and painful for the both of you. but its not going to get any easier.

Answer 7

I dont think there is much you can do. I just held her until it was over and turned her around and held her some more until she stopped crying.

Answer 8

To be honest..I just looked away.

Answer 9

I just talk to my little one while it's happening.  Of course he starts crying and when the nurse is done, I pick him up and immediately start to nurse.  It calms him down so fast, and his doctor recommended this.  Apparently something about the nursing makes the pain go away faster.  

good luck, it is so hard to watch your little one in pain!

Answer 10

You can't stop her from crying when she gets her jabs.  It's heartbreaking seeing their little faces screwed up with shock but it's really not painful.  It's much more the shock of it than the pain that makes them cry.

Cuddle her tight and hold her til she settles and know the whole time that you're doing it to protect her because you love her.  You're a good mum for giving her her jabs, not a bad one.  (Before I get thumbs down because people think I'm having a go at people who don't give their children their jabs.....I'm not.  Each to their own).

Answer 11

I scheduled my son's shots at about his usual naptime, and yep - he fell asleep in the waiting room, slept through stripping him down, and he cried for about 10 seconds during the shot, I kissed him and put his pacifier in his mouth and he was asleep again.

Answer 12

It's always hard... I'm sorry, but it doesn't get any better. Some shots hurt more than others, but I've found keeping my son occupied with other things while we're there helps. I take along a favourite toy, and take it out just before he gets the shot.... or I give him something he usually finds amusing, like my keys or cell phone. Last time he was so busy laughing at my sister making strange faces at him, he didn't even notice the needle go in. Before he could even cry it was over. I also take along his favourite drink, but before he drank anything else, I'd take a bottle of breastmilk along... and for his first shot, I breastfed him while he got his injection. He cried a little, but he stopped before I did.

Answer 13

Give her tylenol before you get there, trust me, it's easier when they can't fight back. My 5 yr old refused ran out the room and the lady sat him down and showed him pictures of kids with the diseases he'd be protected against. It changed his mind real quick.  

Answer 14

When my baby was 2 days old she got really sick and they couldn't get an IV in her.  For hours, literally, they were trying to poke her and prod and get an IV into her.  Someone would come on shift who was supposed to be good and would try to get an IV in her, and they couldn't.  It was horrifying and horrible.  Without the IV, they had to give her 4 shots every hour (ugh).  When the final nurse came on and said she never failed, I sobbed into her shoulder and told her I couldn't watch it again.  She took her, I heard screaming, and then it was in.

Believe me.  These shots at the doctor's office are nothing.  I can handle the quick jab and then it's over and I can hold her and kiss her and take her home.  Those days in the hospital, watching her in so much pain and so sick... so long as I can take her home immediately afterwards, I'm fine with the quick jabs.

I definitely will try the tylenol thing beforehand, but for my little one, they held her down, did the jabs, and then I just scooped her up and she stopped crying and just whimpered into my shoulder.  I think both of us are a bit beyond most jabs.

Answer 15

Her father holds her hand and I hide in the corner like a coward and cry my eyes out!  The doctor is always like " you handle it worse than she did " and it's so true!  She had 3 sets of shots so far and is 7.5 months old.  She will be going for a check up at 9 months but no shots! YEAH, only has to have finger pricked for iron or something.  So after one more set of shots your baby should be able to go a few months with a break from all that.  Your not a bad mom, in fact your a good mom for making sure your child stays healthy, It's never easy, just hold her hand and rub her head and let her know your there ( unless you chicken out like me and make her father do it )

Answer 16

I know what you're going thru.  When my daughter got her first shots, she cried like I never imagined.  I nursed her right after in the exam room and she fell asleep within 10 minutes.  Myself, I cried all the way home.

2nd time I used EMLA cream to numb the area on her thighs (not recommended for under 3 months old).  We had her blankie and Daddy came along for an extra distraction (and just in case, for my emotional support - I couldn't stay away, I'd feel even worse if I wasn't there for her).  She didn't cry nearly as hard, more so from being a little scared by the whole situation.  She was fine as soon as the Dr. left the room (and she leaves as soon as she's sure we're ok, as she hates to listen to the babies cry herself.)

Both times though, my daughter had a harder time later in the day.  She cried lots and had a low-grade fever, so I had to give her a few more doses of Tylenol.  More importantly, lots of cuddles, and singing to her.  She wasn't interested in any sort of play, so I would take her outside (smell the flowers, play with the wind chimes, etc.), which would calm her down a little.  She had a hard time going to sleep but was always fine by morning.

It's almost time for our 6 month appointment  :(

Good luck!

Answer 17

My son cried for literally..3 seconds. It wasnt even a cry. They poked him...two nurses so he got them all done at the same moment, and then they moved..and I picked him right up, and he stopped. But his face is what broke my heart. He just looked so terrified..aww

But he was brave, the nurses were I guess surprised, they said "he didnt even cry"

I think if you pick the baby right up, they will be fine.

But this was just my experience.

Good luck

Answer 18

my sons 2 months shots.

he screamed for about 5 mins after she had finished them.

I tried to get his attention to pre-occupy him.

and with some luck.

the 4 month shots.

he cried for about 5mins again.

the 6th months.

he had a block in his hand and did not cry at all.

he did watch the lady the entire time afterwards..until we left.

i would really focus on your baby and not the person giving the shots. stay calm and cool the entire time and that will help her out too.

also lots of i love you and cuddles and smoochies=D those can cure just about any pain.

it really seems scary for you and baby will cry. but once its done and over with.. itll be practically nothing and youll go on with your day.

Answer 19

Yes, doctors have encouraged me to give them tylenol before bringing them in.  

I just keep thinking that you aren't just their parent to nurture them.  You are also their parent to teach them how to deal with pain and problems.  Rescuing isn't always the answer.  If you comfort without getting hysterical yourself, you are teaching the child that they can use inner strength to get through pain and trials that they are forced to experience.  They learn by your example.

Answer 20

i feel for you - i really do, i was in your place.  But you are doing what is right for your child - a few minutes of tears is survivable - for both you and her.  There is nothing i could say that would make it go any easier - just hold her and give her a treat afterwards to make it a better memory so she is not afraid of the doctor, the park, a favorite treat.....

Stay strong...you'll be fine!

Answer 21

My daughter just had her 1st shots yesterday. I held her while she got them. She cried for less than a minute then when she was done I nursed her right away. A few hours later though she was in pain and really confused. I gave her some baby tylenol and laid down with her and sang to her (I didn't know any songs so I just sang ABC's...lol) and she fell asleep. Try giving her a dose of tylenol before you go in, it really helps! Just make sure you ask her doc how much to give first, it may be different than what the box says. Good luck!

Answer 22

i would give my son tylenol half hour before to help with the pain . then i would have a sippy or bottle of milk or formula ready to help get him calmed down . i would hold him close and hum twinkle twnkle lil star or something . walk him around . after a couple minutes he was fine, but didnt want to see a nurse come back in . good luck !! i know i would soon take the shots for my son :)

Answer 23

Oh no.. I have to get my son's first set of shots next week too. =(

I'm really dreading it.. but my plan is to give him Tylenol before -- then massages, a warm bath and LOTS of snuggles after wards. Hopefully we'll get through it.

Good luck with your daughter! <3

Answer 24

oh hon! i cry every time! i cried when my oldest boys have to get them and they are upset. it's never easy to hear your child cry and not be able to stop the pain.

i usually have had the nurse hold my babies, and let the doc to his thing, then i'd be the one to rush in and rescue...and immediately hug, love, and supply tons of kisses.