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@Torchwood: I try to focus on the little things that I can control! Like how I can hold their hands beforehand, or comfort them immediately afterward, or take them out for a treat on the way home.

Very much like @Mrs.KMM: . I don't let it bother me because I know it's for the best.

Also, L had a tongue tie snipped when he was born and he didn't even cry. Not a peep!

She'll be ok mama.

I focus on not seeming upset because I know that will upset her more. And I figure the faster it can be over, the better, so I don't spend a ton of time coddling her while they are doing it (like the shots) I just hold her down as still as I can do they can get it over quickly. Then I can comfort her immediately after.

The worst so far was when they did a heel prick blood draw at 3 days old (she was a little jaundice). It took so long and all I could do was hold her still. I was so hormonal I cried as much as she did and I'm sure it didn't help. After that I just prepped myself ahead of time that it was going to suck by the best I could do is make it fast and not seem upset.

It sucks not matter what. But it's for their own good and will be over quickly.

It gets easier - my oldest' first shots I think I cried more than she did. I was sick to my stomach the week leading up to it, to the point where my mom came with me ha. (Looking back.. Goodness). By her 12-month visit all I could do was laugh bc she was SO. BAD. for the doctor the entire visit.

I still feel terrible bringing my second for shots now but it's fleeting. I used to bring a cold teether for my lo's legs after, and I gave her Tylenol or Motrin when she was old enough. The worst for me is having to hold them down. They get over t pretty quick (shots). I've never dealt w lip tie but hugs. All I can say is you'll get through it, and have wine when you get home!

Shots have never bothered me.because they are over so fast as I imagine the tongue tie clipping will be. Other illnesses, even bad colds, etc, where she doesn't feel well I still struggle with. I just try to do my best and remember it's normal and we will get through it. Also I have had a little longer term illness which has given me a little perspective imagining what parents of really sick kids have to go through. I still tend to be anxious but I just remember that what lo needs is calm and we just take it one step at a time.

@Torchwood: my husband is a pediatric resident- he recently was treating a friends child who was going through a tough procedure. He encouraged the friend to sing songs to her baby. Later, the friend told me that it was an incredibly important moment, made her feel like she could help, and soothed the baby. If you have some familiar songs, I'd try that.

I tell myself that I can't protect them from all pain, and using logic usually reminds me it's no big deal. He cries for a second, then stops. Plus, they can smell the anxiety, I swear!

When my son had blood draws done to rule out anything sinister when he was diagnosed failure to thrive, I was a wreck but my husband and I planned it out in advance - he cuddled our son for a couple of minutes to relax him, then turned him around and held his arm out like the nurse had shown us, while I stood beside them so he would look at me and not the needle - I spoke in his ear and scratched his head and stroked his other arm while they did it. He wailed and wailed but when it was over he got straight on the boob and calmed down pretty quickly. It is an ordeal but try and remember its all for the best and chances are things will be much better when its all done.

Good luck!!

I just weigh the pros and cons. Its better for my son to feel some momentary pain and get this shot than getting the flu/measles/whatever. DH came for the first set of shots for moral support and DS actually handled them like a champ and I was also surprisingly totally fine for it. He screamed for sure, but he was just fine within 2 minutes. He was more pissed off than anything else. Tylenol once we got home. After the nurse left the room I just nursed him for a while to comfort him and we did that at all his subsequent shots. My mother came the second time just because she was around and she was also surprised how well DS handled it. Long story short, you'll never know how you react until you are in the moment.

I hold her and let DH be the one in front of her making happy faces and telling her its okay (and now that she is older showing her youtube videos of puppies and whatnot). He's better at the fake happy thing and I'm better at the snuggly thing.

For things where LO has to be laying flat (shots, 2 catheters to check for UTI, an IV), I usually stand right by her head, put my head very close to hers, and sing in her ear. She still flips out, but it seems to calm her a bit that I am right there. At least, she reaches for me quickly. When she had to get her blood drawn, I held her, and both the tech and I were very upbeat and told her how proud we were of her. She got through that without a single tear...I was suprised, and SO proud! That was recently, at 15 months. For shots when she was tiny, I always nursed her immediately afterwards. I've also been known to dose her with Motrin while she still laid there, because I know how she reacts to them! No sense waiting for her to completely melt down and spike a fever...best to head it off at the pass

Good luck. It is hard to see them in pain. Thinking of you!

I guess there is just not much choice but to put on a brave face. The first time my oldest got shots I teared up a bit but it was so quick and he was fine once I was able to pick him up. He had surgery in the spring and I was a nervous wreck, worrying about all the what ifs. I just tried not to let it show to him and focused on the good things - once it was over he would start to feel much better, the doctor was taking his boo boo away, etc. I thought it would be so much harder when they took him to the operating room but all the doctors and nurses were awesome and it was so reassuring. All that to say, you just put on a strong face and it will be over before you know it.

During my son's circumcision, I just steeled myself and gave him tons of snuggles after.