It still baffles me that when the girls go for their shots (immunization, Synagis (R)) no specific pain management measures are in place. Sure, there may be a mobile swinging above the bed where they are lying, but that's it. When we were at the Royal Victoria Hospital, they gave the girls a little bit of sucrose (sugar water) before procedures such as taking blood for a test. Why didn't Charles Lemoyne hospital do that? I asked, but I was told "we don't do that" Not only that, but when undergoing blood tests there, one nurse didn't want me to hold the girl, when the other nurse said that they encourage breastfeeding moms to nurse the baby during the procedure... AFTER she'd taken blood from Béatrice.
We've now been to 5 injections of Synagis, but only today did I think of bringing my own sucrose, prompted in part by
the article in the Pediatrics journal. So, I made a solution somewhat near the 24% suggested by putting 1tsp regular table sugar in 200ml (4/5 of a cup) of boiled water. Brought the whole thing to the hospital, and used a small syringe to give the girls about 2ml before their shot.
It worked. Granted, I only have my own subjective observation (and Des's) but they cried far less, and not as loud. The nurses saw me, and didn't dare interfere. They probably knew it was better to give them the sugar water; they most certainly knew I was doing it.
I printed out the article, and intended on forgetting it at the hospital, but I forgot to forget it. Oh well.
All of this to say: Next time, I'm brining my own sugar water, and that'll save the girls a bit of pain. And I think I'll recommend that to others was well.