Q: My baby has his first set of jabs on Friday - is there anything I can do to help him prepare before, and get over it after?? Will there be any side effects?
Dr Miriam Stoppard says: 'There's lots you can do. First of all you should know that if you're anxious your baby will pick that up and be anxious too. That will make him or her more fretful and he will feel more pain. If you're calm, your baby feels secure and feels less pain. So, to calm your anxiety I suggest you plan ahead.
Firstly, leave plenty of time for your appointment so you're not feeling frazzled.
Secondly, take along your baby's favourite toys so you can both play games and laugh a lot before you go in to see the nurse.
MAKE SURE YOU SMILE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE THIS MAKES YOUR BABY FEEL EVERYTHING'S OKAY.
To reassure yourself that you're being a good mum, make sure you have some Calpol by you in case the injection site gets a bit red and swollen or your baby has a little temperature.
And an hour before you leave the house rub on a little numbing cream which you can get from your chemist. And then your baby will hardly feel the prick.
When you go in to see the nurse, keep chatting normally to your baby, sit her on your knee facing you with her back to the nurse and continue chatting, playing, tickling and cuddling and your baby will hardly notice that she's had the jab.
If a few seconds afterwards she squeals, lots of kisses, cuddles and 'there there's will help to comfort and quieten her. Together you've got through it without mishap.'
Q: Does Emla cream really work? I've been told it helps take away the pain of a jab? Is it OK to use on babies?
Dr Miriam Stoppard says: 'Emla has been used for 25 years as a numbing cream in hospitals all over the world and it is safe to be used on babies (from full term birth) and has a license for use in babies.'
