Preparing for your visit

Key facts

  • There’s no need to do anything special to get your child ready for vaccination.

  • You will need to take your child’s health record booklet with you so your doctor or nurse can make notes about the vaccinations your child has had.

  • Most babies and children cry at least a little after they get a needle, but there are some things you can do to help make needles feel less painful.

Last updated on 16 June 2023.

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What do I need to do before our appointment?

You don’t need to do anything special to get your child ready for their vaccinations.

Most parents take their child to be vaccinated at their local general practice or at a vaccination clinic. The majority of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations also offer vaccination services.

You will need to take your child’s health record booklet with you so your doctor or nurse can make notes about the vaccinations your child has had. You may also want to take some toys with you, or load some music or a video onto your phone or tablet beforehand.

Babies and children can usually get their vaccinations on time even if they are feeling a little unwell. If your child has a high fever or if you are worried they are not well enough to be vaccinated, give your doctor or nurse a call. They will let you know if you should come in or if you need to make an appointment for another day.

What will happen when we get there?

Vaccination appointments can run differently in different places but here is a rough guide to what you can expect on the day.

  • Appointments usually begin with a health check. Your doctor or nurse will ask you how you and your child are going in general. They will ask if you have any questions for them. They will measure and weigh your child. They will write some notes in your child’s health record booklet to help you keep track of how your baby or child is growing and developing.
  • Once that’s done, the doctor or nurse will get the vaccinations ready. Some doctors will ask you to go to another room where a nurse who is specially trained in vaccinating children will vaccinate your child.
  • Most doctors and nurses will suggest you hold your child during the vaccinations. If you find it upsetting to be there when your child is getting a needle, ask a family member or friend to do it for you. If you can’t bring anyone with you, let your doctor or nurse know: they may be able to arrange someone to stand in for you.
  • The doctor or nurse will be as quick and gentle as they can when they give your child their needles. For babies under 12 months, needles usually go into the legs. For children over 12 months, they usually go into the arms. 
  • The doctor or nurse will ask you to stay at the clinic for about 15 minutes after the vaccinations. This is so they can make sure everything is OK before you and your child leave.

For more on what to expect at your vaccination appointment, take a look at our video: ‘What will happen when we get there?’

 

How can I make it easier for my child?

No matter how gentle your doctor or nurse is, needles hurt! And most babies and children cry at least a little after they get a needle. The good news is that there are things you can do for your child to make needles feel less painful.

  • Holding or cuddling your child will trigger the release of pain-relieving hormones, so hold them firmly, for example in a chest-to-chest position, before, during and after the needles.1 Your doctor or nurse can show you the best way to hold your  child.
  • There are pain-relieving substances in breastmilk so, if your child is breastfed, you can offer a breastfeed during or straight after the needles.1
  • Sucking also helps relieve your child’s pain. If your child is no longer breastfeeding, you can offer a dummy or have a bottle of formula ready to go.
  • You can also ask your doctor or nurse to give your baby the rotavirus vaccine drops before the needles. The drops contain sugar (also called ‘sucrose’), which is an effective pain reliever for babies.1,2

For children 12 months and over

  • Distractions help reduce pain for children at this age. When it’s time for the needles, distract your child with a toy or an activity like reading or singing. Some parents give their children a phone or a tablet to play with.1 
  • Taking big breaths may calm your child and make needles hurt less. Bring along toys like pinwheels or bubble blowers that encourage your child to take some deep breaths while the doctor or nurse gives them their needles.1 You may need someone to help with this while you hold your child.

For more tips on how to make vaccination easier for your baby and child, take a look at our video: ‘How can I make it easier for my child?’

 

  1. Taddio A, et al. Reducing pain during vaccine injections: Clinical practice guideline. Canadian Medical Association Journal 2015;187:975-982 http://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/187/13/975.full.pdf
  2. Matsuda E. Sucrose for analgesia in newborn infants undergoing painful procedures. Nursing Standard 2017;31(30):61-63. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2017.e10827