I have been the nursing mom (though my youngest is 12
and predates Hep B, Prevnar, and infant Hib vaccines)
and I am the nurse giving all those injections now.  I
have no problem with a mom nursing a baby during
injections if they only get one or two, since I could
give both in the same exposed thigh while mom holds
baby close to nurse.  However, with most immunizations
schedules now, that 2 month old is getting 4
immunizations, and I find that I can't get mom and baby
positioned so that I can reach the lateral aspect of
both thighs to safely administer the shots.  If any of
you have a suggestion, I would be very receptive.   I
usually have the baby on the table, some parents hold
baby's hand, most don't even want to watch.  I can get
all of the injections done is less than 30 seconds, I
pick the baby up, cuddle a little, whisper my apologies
in his ear, and hand baby to mom "to make it all
better".  I find that many babies have begun to settle
by the time I hand them to mom.  I guess I have the
baby on the table because that is the way I was trained
and I am used to.  I have given the shots to babies on
parents' laps so that both thighs are exposed, ( facing
outward) if the parent prefers.  However, I would
appreciate any suggestions on how to position a baby so
he can nurse and have both lateral thighs available for
the injections.  It needs to be something that can be
accomplished quickly and easily.  Yes, it would be
nicer if we didn't have to give them all at the same
time, but the reality of the number of shots and the
number of well visits insurance will cover (if it does)
and the number of times we can reliably get parents to
bring the baby to the clinic, this is the best way to
do it at this time (at least in the US).  I am told
that in Europe they have more combination vaccines so
that the number of injections is fewer.  I look forward
to hearing suggestions.

Gayle Prehn,IBLC, and RN who has given 80 shots before
lunch.


Gayle Prehn RN, IBLC

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