How to get your children immunized without the tears

Struggling to calm a crying baby during a vaccination is no picnic — but new research can help parents provide comfort, fast.

By Daniel Viola

Updated November 2, 2012

Struggling to calm a crying baby during a vaccination is no picnic — but new research can help parents provide comfort, fast. Study leader Dr. John Harrington, director of general academic pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Virginia, says the Five Ss help relieve the pain and stress of immunization, making the shots easier for everyone. Try one (or all!) of his techniques to soothe your baby:

1. Swaddle
2. Put baby on stomach
3. Shush baby
4. Swing baby
5. Give baby a soother

Did your children struggle with needles?

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