Help soothe your baby during a shot

Physical contact is key. Soothe her by breastfeeding before, during and after the needle, if possible. Or you can give your babe some sugar water, which releases natural pain-reducing chemicals in the brain, just before the shot. To make your own sugar water, boil water for two minutes and then mix two teaspoons of the water with one teaspoon of sugar. Let cool before offering to your baby.

A version of this article appeared in our February 2016 issue with the headline, "How to help soothe your baby during a shot," p. 40.

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