Helping Dads Cope with Immunisation Anxiety
When taking children for their routine immunisations, it is often dads who have to be brave when mums find it all too stressful! But dads, particularly if they are one of the 10% of the population with a needle phobia, can be anxious about taking their children for routine child immunisations too.
Emla, from AstraZeneca, helps to reduce the pain of the needle by numbing the skin. A topical anaesthetic cream which is available over the counter from pharmacies, Emla is applied an hour in advance of the procedure and is the only numbing product approved for use on even the very smallest babies – from full-term birth.
Emla is available in an ‘all in one’ pack from your pharmacy, to help numb the pain of the needle during procedures such as childhood immunisations, minor skin procedures, blood tests and travel vaccinations. The pack includes two air-tight (‘occlusive’) plasters which need to be applied over the Emla cream, plus full instructions on the correct way to apply Emla. The handy pack is available from your local pharmacist for just £5.10.
To help cope with immunisation, here are some top tips for anxious dads:
1) Speak in advance to your GP surgery to find out where the injection will be inserted, so you can apply the Emla cream in the right area.
2) Take your child’s favourite toys to distract them (and you) during the procedure.
3) Don’t rush – take plenty of time and plan your day around the appointment, to minimise other stress during the day.
4) Be an actor- for your child’s sake, pretend all is fine and keep smiling and laughing with them. They’ll take their cue on how to behave from you.
5) Tell the practice nurse you’re nervous. They’ll have seen lots of parents in the same position and won’t think you’re a wimp!
6) Remember, the vaccination only takes a moment, but you are protecting your child from a range of childhood diseases.
Tom Lewis, a dad with immunisation anxiety, tells his immunisation story: “My wife was dreading taking our first child for their immunisations, especially when they were so tiny. I offered to go with her and ended up taking my child in while my wife stayed in the waiting room. I didn’t realise how stressed I’d be but I felt that I had to be the brave one to support my wife. I didn’t want to say anything to the practice nurse in case she thought I was being silly! I take both children now and I really worry about it for days beforehand, but I never say anything to my wife as I don’t want to stress her out.”
For more information on Emla as well as free downloadable guides to immunisation, log on to www.ihateneedles.co.uk.
The Emla Parent Planner app for iPhones, including a personalised immunisation calendar and multi-child milestones calendar is available free. For more information log on to www.ihateneedles.co.uk.
Notes
- Emla is a topical anaesthetic cream containing a tried and trusted formula of lidocaine and prilocaine that can help numb needle pain. Apply 60 minutes before the procedure. This time may need to be reduced depending on age, body area and prescription. Available from your local pharmacist without prescription, Emla costs £5.10 (RRP) for a two-dose pack, including two occlusive dressings. Always read the leaflet.
- Parents can visit www.ihateneedles.co.uk for more information and tips on coping with immunisation as well as other needle-based procedures.
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