Mums may influence babies’ pain at routine vaccinations

Babies of first-time mums express more pain during routine vaccinations than those of experienced mothers, according to new research. The Durham University study suggests that first-time mothers' anxiety about the procedure has an effect on their babies. The researchers say babies' early experience of pain shapes their response to painful events later in life so reduction of anxiety in both mother and baby is important. The findings could also have implications for the number of children with incomplete immunisations and could therefore impose health risks to the child and society. In the preliminary study, 50 mothers and their two-month old babies were videotaped during their routine vaccinations. Maternal touch and pain expression of the babies were analysed before, during and after the injections. After the procedure, mothers were asked to estimate their baby's level of pain with most overestimating the extent of their baby's pain.