Nursing during Immunisations?

[Midori1999]

I asked if the HV minded if I did this during DD's second immunisations today and she clearly thought I was bonkers, saying it was 'wishful thinking' and that if she was having her dinner and someone stuck a needle in her, she'd still know about it...

I have to say, I'm not sure it did make much difference, but DD doesn't really seem to comfort nurse much anyway sadly, despite being a 'sucky' baby. (she does suck her tongue though)

Has anyone else nursed through immunisations and did it make a difference or help comfort your baby more quickly after them?

[tiktok]

HV has some sort of hang-up, maybe?

There is research on this - if I get time I'll track it down. Bf during imms reduces stress and pain, and is a Very Good Thing and your HV should know about it :)

[tiktok]

Links here:

www.kellymom.com/health/illness/bf-analgesia.html

Print out and share with HV??? :)

[ShowOfHands]

I bf through the heel prick test and immunisations with dd. She didn't even flinch. Have bf ds though the heel prick test a couple of weeks ago. Similarly, he barely even reacted.

My midwife was adamant it was the best way and that research supported it as the recommended method.

[BertieBotts]

It is supposed to help a lot, actually. I guess it must depend on the baby though. DS was always too distressed to nurse, and chocolate buttons didn't register, he was too upset :(

[AJH2007]

I bf'd DS through his first set of jabs a couple of weeks ago and though he came off and screamed both times he then went back on after minimum fuss. I think he'd have gone ape for ages otherwise. The nurse didn't bat an eyelid.

[AngelDog]

I bf through the heel prick test and DS barely flinched. I fed immediately after the other jabs but it never occurred to me to feed during them. Next time I'd definitely feed through them.

The HV probably has a hang up about bf only being for nutrition / food and not being for comfort.

[LargeGlassofRed]

I fed my twins through all their jabs and it really helped they seamed alot less distressed. The nurse was always happy for me to feed during jabs.

[SingingSands]

I did this for DD - 7 years ago! My lovely HV suggested it, and the practise nurse said it was a brilliant idea and it certainly seemed to make the experience an easy one. Good luck!

[LoveBeingAMummyAgain]

I bf 2 wk old ds today whilst he was having blood taken and I think it helped. Yes he cried a couple of times but this was whilst they squeezed out 4 lots if blood

[mawbroon]

I've done this for both my DSs and they only cried for seconds before latching back on. In fact, ds2 did even cry at all at the last one.

Next time, don't ask! Just do it if you think it will help.

[curlykate99]

My little boy had minor surgery on his hands when he was a few weeks old and the consultant asked me to feed him throughout - he didn't even flinch, whereas I haven't fed him for his jabs and he has cried every time, so IME it definitely distracts/comforts/provides pain relief.

[GrannysLittlePickle]

Well the nurse specifically told me I could only feed her afterwards, as she might choke!

[banana87]

I nursed through every single one of them! The nurse encouraged me to do so!

[verylittlecarrot]

Have always nursed here too. Really helps.

[Charleymouse]

All three of mine have nursed during immunisations, (unless they had self-weaned by that point). DS had his preschool boosters a fortnight ago and was gutted, he screamed and cried and I felt terrible for him. It really hurt and upset him, he never reacted badly previously when nursing. Helps them relax and comforts them immeasurably.

HV doesn't know what she is on about.

Funnily enough DH wasn't interested in nursing when he had his tetanus, not sure why, I told him it would make him feel better.

[buttonmoon78]

V odd - I bf all 4 of mine through traumatic things with great effect. Even after I'd stopped bf, a bottle helped too.

Surely it's part of where the saying 'comfort food' comes from?

There seem to be some odd beliefs out there

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I did this with DS and it worked for him. Agree with tiktok regarding printing off the research and passing it on .

[Notanexcitingname]

I nursed ds2 through being cannulated. It did shock the registrar paed ;), but the nurse thought it was a great idea.

I got bitten for every single jab, though

[Midori1999]

Thanks, I will print some stuff off and take it in with me next time. Great to know it can help, I'll try it again next time.

[Sidge]

I give baby imms and have had some mums feed during the jabs. Haven't got a problem with it at all.

We do ask though that older children (ie the 1 yr olds +) aren't given anything to eat or drink during as they tend to howl and risk aspirating. A colleague had a nasty incident with an inhaled chocolate button which led to a bit of a review of our practice.

[GrannysLittlePickle]

Sidge - so is there a risk/problem of a 12 week old aspirating breast milk, as the nurse told me?

[RitaMorgan]

Surely a baby/child can't breastfeed and howl simultaneously though? Would have thought it is quite different to having something like a choc button in their mouth.

I breastfed through the heel prick test, but unfortunately have a needle phobia so ds had to have his immunisations with me in the waiting room

[Sidge]

Grannyslittlepickle I don't know for sure, but I think the sucking/breathing thing is different in young babies than in older children. But then I've never had a mum breastfeed a 1+ yr old whilst I gave a jab so I don't know if they would swallow then breathe, or risk aspirating like they might do with food. The babies who were being fed seemed to swallow and then cry!

(I'm certainly no expert, and if a mum wanted to bfeed her older baby I certainly wouldn't stop her but might warn her to watch out for spluttering!)

[TruthSweet]

Would this be of interest to you Midori?

[Starshaped]

I'm another one who breastfed through the heel prick test - the midwife asked me to do so. DD barely flinched!