Your baby’s vaccination date is drawing closer and you are so scared, you have heard and seen babies getting vaccinated and you know the discomfort and pain that comes with vaccination. While you have no choice than to put your child through these shots that protect children from dreaded diseases that used to be common there are various ways to soothe your baby. Here are a few tips that help.

Breastfeeding: This can help reduce pain and calm a child because it gives the infant comforting skin-to-skin contact and distracts the child. Also, mother's milk contains sugar which is known to have pain-relieving effects.  So if you are still breastfeeding then try this once your child has been given a shot.

Get Some Quiet Time: Every baby is different and some might become irritated and drowsy, and refuse to eat for a few hours after being vaccinated. In such a situation, you should plan some quiet activities at home. Keep the temperature of the room cool and comfortable, and make sure your baby is wearing loose and comfy clothing.

 Use a Cool Compress: Another effective way to provide pain relief for babies after shots are to apply a clean, cool cloth to the sore area. It will help reduce the soreness and tenderness around the site of the injection. If the situation doesn’t improve in 24 hours, you may want to get your baby examined by a doctor. Do this at least twice or thrice during the day to relieve the pain.

 Use Distractions: Place your baby on your lap and sing, tell stories or make faces that normally excite your baby. Your baby might not be in a mood for other physical activities after the injections but these simple tricks might help distract your baby from the pain and make the pain seem short.

 Give more attention: At least for a day or two after the vaccination, your baby might keep struggling with your attention and need more warmth and comfort from you. Keep calm and make yourself available for your baby. If your baby is too young or under six months of age you can also try to give more skin-to-skin contact to make your baby feel comfortable.

Give pain to relieve drops: If you notice that your baby’s post-vaccination pains are making your baby too uncomfortable to the extent that your baby is extremely irritable, cranky, try giving painkillers. But do this after consulting your doctor. But remember not to overdo it or exceed the amount of dose prescribed by your doctor.

Soothe your baby with the five “S’s”: After the vaccine is given, swaddle your baby in a blanket, place them on their side or stomach, gently shush them, and rock them. If your baby is still upset, give them a pacifier to suck on for comfort if they are used to it. These tips have shown to produce less crying and pain for your baby, as they are distracted by the attention and comfort these five in one technique bring.

New parents are often anxious about their baby's vaccination pain, Always remember that the vaccination pain your baby feels will only last a moment, but the protection from a disease will last for years.