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 Medications.

 

Medications can help dull the pain your baby feels from needles

There are certain medications that can also be used to lower your baby’s pain during needle procedures, like a vaccination.

The medications listed here are safe to use with your baby. You can use these medications alone or combine it with any of the other comfort strategies you’ve learned about in this website!

Vaccination or immunization: The process of becoming resistant (less likely to become infected) or immune (have protection against) a disease or infection, by receiving a vaccine.

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Needle procedures

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A topical anaesthetic is recommended to be put on your baby’s skin 30 - 60 minutes before the needle procedure, depending on the type.

A topical anaesthetic is a special, over the counter medication that freezes an area of your baby’s skin where the needle will go.

You can get this medication at your local pharmacy as a cream, gel, or patch. (1) These medications are safe to use but remember to always read the package directions to make sure that you are applying it correctly.

Types of topical anaesthetics include:

EMLA

TM Also known as lidocaine-prilocaine. EMLA TM works best when it is put on your baby's skin 60 minutes before the planned procedure.

Ametop

TM Also known as tetracaine. Ametop TM works best when it is put on your baby's skin 45 minutes before the planned procedure.

Maxilene

TM Also known as lidocaine. Maxilene TM works best when it is put on your baby's skin 30 minutes before the planned procedure.

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Where to put the cream?

If you are using a topical anaesthetic to lower pain from a vaccination, the location of the cream depends on how old your baby is.

For babies less than 1 year old:

  • Upper, outer part of their thigh

For babies between 1 - 2 years old:

  • Upper, outer part of their arm

Always consult with your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more details on which topical anaesthetic is best for your baby.

Other pain-relieving medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are not recommended for the common procedures that your baby might have in their first year.

Common procedures like: Vitamin K injection, newborn metabolic screening, routine bilirubin screening, and immunizations. Learn more here!

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References

  1. Taddio, A., Shah, V., Leung, E., Wang, J., Parikh, C., Smart, S., … Franck, L. (2013). Knowledge translation of the HELPinKIDS clinical practice guideline for managing childhood vaccination pain: Usability and knowledge uptake of educational materials directed to new parents. BMC Pediatrics, 13(1), 1–9. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-13-23
  2. Canadian Paediatric Society. (2018). Newborn male circumcision. Retrieved November 9, 2019, from https://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/circumcision