I used to give babies their shots when I worked at a Drs office, and about half of the parents would leave the room when we did them. Some said they "just couldn't watch their child get poked" and others said they didn't want their baby to associate their face with pain from the shots. The other half felt it was important that they are there to console the baby during and after.
So, what did/will you do and why?
I can see both sides, but don't think I would want to leave Ben alone to go through that. I plan on staying in the room and holding him while they do the shots.
Re: When LO gets shots do you stay in the room or leave?
This
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DH and I stayed in the room to soothe him and held him while they gave him the shots.
Well at the 2 month shots - I stayed in the room even though I was so uncomfortable...but there is no way I can leave my DD with anyone when she so obviously associates comfort with me and her daddy.
Yesterday DH actually moved some meetings around and made it to her doctors office right when they were about to give her the shots - so that allowed me to leave the room....but Daddy was right there for his "mook mook" (dont ask me why he calls her that - but that is his name for her) and she was fine.
That is why I will stay - some strange nurse can't be very comforting to my baby!
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
People really leave the room??? I find that odd. But I do a LOT of odd things.
I also verify the shot on the vial/bottle with what DC is supposed to be getting. But I was there when my nephew got the "wrong" shot. Nothign serious, just a flu shot that he was a little too young for, but still now I'm paranoid..
Okay I have to leave because I am a serious needle phobe....I cant stand them and its from being poked and stuck so many times...and I know if I get tense and upset so will DD - this is why my hubby will break his neck to be there but if he doesnt I try to suck it up - its hard.
As far as babies associating certain things / people with pain and comfort this is a true statement. My friend has a child who has to have various painful procedures done to him due to a liver condition and they will normally take him to a procedure room - to do it and the doctors say its because they dont want that child to associate their room with pain.
I stay. My pedi has the parents hold thier baby in their lap during the shots.
I must be a cold b!tch because it doesn't upset me that much. I mean, he cries, I comfort him. Its all over in two minutes and it has to be done.
Yep, the baby relies on you for comfort. What kind of message does it send if you leave them when they need you most? A baby can't understand that it's "just a shot." They need you to comfort them afterward.
I stayed right there with him. I soothed him and kissed him the whole time. I couldn?t leave the room, while he was given his shots. I wanted to be there and comfort him.