What can I do to comfort my baby when they are receiving a vaccine?

Many parents worry about how babies will react to the pain of getting vaccines. Most babies do really well and are easily distracted during the process. Your healthcare provider is also very experienced at helping and making the process swift. Try to keep calm – the baby can feel your anxiety which can worsen the experience. Breastfeeding or formula feeding your baby while getting a vaccine has been shown to reduce needle-related discomfort for infants. If necessary, you can speak to your provider about some numbing cream beforehand, or baby liquid acetaminophen after, to help with any fever or discomfort. You may also find that the baby sleeps very well in the next couple days while others may be a bit fussy.