Reducing Vaccine Anxiety
Our instinct is always to protect our kids from discomfort or stress. But part of our job is to help our children understand that sometimes we need to do things that scare us. Learning to handle tough situations builds resilience and self-confidence so they can deal with the tough things as they grow.
💡 Back-to-school check-up season is a great opportunity to practice this, especially when vaccines are due!
Here are 5 tips and tricks you can use to make these visits a little easier for everyone:
- 1. Breathe!
Take big deep breaths with your child, in through the nose and out through the mouth. It will help reduce your stress too! Kids pick up on stress cues from their caregivers—so the calmer you feel, the calmer they will feel! - 2. Distract!
Give your child’s brain something else to focus on. Try singing along with a favorite song, asking mental math questions, reading a story, or watching a funny video. - 3. Sweeten the Deal!
Did you know that tasting something sweet reduces the amount of pain we feel? If it’s okay with your provider, try giving your child a sweet treat like fruit leather or candy just before the vaccination. Breastfeed or bottle-feed infants before, after, or while they’re getting shots. The combination of dopamine release from eating and a cuddle from you will make them feel better! - 4. Offer Choice!
Making small decisions at the doctor’s office can help kids feel more in control and less anxious. Ask your child to pick if they get a shot in their left or right arm, if they want to stand up or sit down, or which color Band-Aid they want. Even a little bit of choice can go a long way! - 5. Learn!
The more we know about something, the less scary it is. Talk to your kids about how vaccines will strengthen their immune systems and help them grow!
Looking for family-friendly resources?
Broome County Health Department has guides you can read with your child so you both feel more confident. Visit their website here.
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This article is sponsored by the Broome County Health Department, a valued sponsor of Macaroni KID Binghamton. We appreciate your support in reviewing our sponsors' articles and hope that their offerings are useful for you and your family.
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