Many parents dread the idea of going into the
doctor’s office with a happy healthy baby with the intention of doing
something to make their infant hurt and cry. Believe it or not, doctors
and nurses do not like making kids cry either! As care providers for
children, we are responsible for making informed decisions for them.
Parents and care providers can understand that the short term ill
effects of vaccinations can be outweighed by the long-term effects.
Some parents are so uncomfortable with the idea of intentionally making
their child cry that they then, consciously or unconsciously, look for
justifications for not having to do it. Parents should be provided with
clear explanations about both the pros and cons of vaccinations and have
multiple opportunities to have their questions answered. If needed,
alternative medical personnel should be available to help restrain the
child during injections if the parent is uncomfortable with this role.
Many parents dread the idea of going into the
doctor’s office with a happy healthy baby with the intention of doing
something to make their infant hurt and cry. Believe it or not, doctors
and nurses do not like making kids cry either! As care providers for
children, we are responsible for making informed decisions for them.
Parents and care providers can understand that the short term ill
effects of vaccinations can be outweighed by the long-term effects.
Some parents are so uncomfortable with the idea of intentionally making
their child cry that they then, consciously or unconsciously, look for
justifications for not having to do it. Parents should be provided with
clear explanations about both the pros and cons of vaccinations and have
multiple opportunities to have their questions answered. If needed,
alternative medical personnel should be available to help restrain the
child during injections if the parent is uncomfortable with this role.
