Does Giving Your Child Sugar Before Shots Help With Pain? (Our Experience)

Have you heard this theory before? Ive wondered at its truth. Does it apply to only certain kids?

My daughter Emma has cried at every doctor appointment involving shots, and no wonder! There have been times I was close to tears as well its just hard seeing your child have to go through any amount of pain or discomfort. And you cant tell a baby or toddler that they are getting the immunizations for their protection and expect them to understand fully.

Do any children actually like their doctor visits? It seems to get worse as Emma gets older, although partly due to the fact that weve had to switch pediatricians twice so no familiar faces. At Emmas 2-year appointment, it was our first time at a new pediatricians office and although everyone was super nice, once we got past the waiting room (and toys), Emma was miserable and let us all know about it. She didnt want to be weighed, measured, or touched by the nurse or the doctor. Even bringing a giant Winnie the Pooh bear into the room didnt help (and she LOVES Pooh).

I was sure that with her being upset before immunization time even came, the shots would be misery as well. She even kept running to the door of the room we were in and asking to Go!. As a last attempt to calm her and keep her occupied, I gave her an Andes chocolate mint I had in my purse (Im addicted to Andes). She immediately stopped squirming and asking to leave and focused on the candy. Then the nurse quickly gave her her shots.

Not one squeal! She didnt cry, she didnt whine, she didnt flinch.

I suspect that part of the reason shots can be so traumatic is because of the stiffening attitudes of the parents, the change in the voice of the nurse as she apologizes in advance, and the fact that were holding the child down on the table. It all screams TORTURE doesnt it? lol If we were in a room with a bunch of people who spoke a different language and were acting like that, we would be freaking out and expecting the worst as well.

I dont think that the sugar takes away the pain of a shot, but it could definitely help take your childs focus off of what is going on. If your child is too young for candy, you can try nursing before and after the shot.

Have you tried giving your child sugar before shots? Did it help or not?

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