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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to be regretting letting my 10week old baby have the rotavirus vaccine today?

24 replies

Allthenamesareusedup · 27/04/2015 20:00

I'm all for vaccines, but usually do lots of research and make sure I know what I'm getting. DCs 1&2 didn't have the rotavirus vaccine as it wasn't offered, and it took me by surprise today. Made baby choke for about ten mins which was horribly distressing for him, particularly after two jabs, and he's been a bit sicky/extra poo since. That said, he can be refluxy (and has been much worse than this before) and I was worried yesterday he hadn't pooed enough. Just feeling paranoid and hoping for reassurance...

OP posts:

cardibach · 27/04/2015 20:03

I can't see how a few drops of anything can make a baby 'choke'. Gag a bit if it tastes nasty, maybe... Diarrhoea is a common side effect and harmless. I wouldn't worry.

Notyouagaintoday · 27/04/2015 20:04

In our surgery we have to wait 10 minutes after vaccines, is this the case for you? I would doctor for advice in morning yanbu it would worry me too. Hope baby improves very soon.

TedAndLola · 27/04/2015 20:06

You did the right thing and he will be fine

TheBakeryQueen · 27/04/2015 20:06

Mine weren't offered that vaccine so no personal experience but getting the bug would be much worse than what you've described.

Sounds like you've done the right thing to me. As mums we tend to worry/feel guilt over everything but try not to! Lots of sick bugs going round at the moment, you may have just prevented your baby from getting one

TwoOddSocks · 27/04/2015 20:07

There have been quite a few cases of rotavirus around where I live. Babies were OK in the end but each had quite a few days in hospital and were feeling incredibly unwell for over a week. I think you were unlucky that he choked (my DS didn't even wake up and he was the worst sleeper in the world) it's always harder when you've actively done something which you feel has hurt your child but I think it's still been worthwhile even with a bit of diarrhoea. You'd be kicking yourself if your baby got seriously ill.

Idefix · 27/04/2015 20:11

A little bit of an upset stomach can be normal after rotavirus. It is a live vaccine and passes through the guy, so you need to extra vigilant around nappy changes and bathing as it can be passed on to others.
If you are still concerned about him having the second one because of the coughing/choking ask to give the vaccine yourself next time. This should be fine with the nurse, if you ask. Could also ask to give it first as sometimes it is easier when the baby is not unsettled following the injections.
hope the next ones go better.

Dogsmom · 27/04/2015 20:12

My 8 week old dd has had it today too as part of her routine vacs and my 2 year old has had to go to A&E today with the actual virus, she's so poorly, she can't keep food or water down, is lethargic and thoroughly miserable. At one point we thought we would have to call an ambulance as we couldn't rouse her.

It's not nice having side effects but I'd much rather have that than see them have the actual virus.

Of course you're nbu for worrying about your baby but trust me it's awful for them to get rotavirus.

NightsOfGethsemane · 27/04/2015 20:16

When my DD was 11 months old she contracted rotavirus. She had almost continuous diarrhoea and became dangerously dehydrated. She ended up in hospital on a drip and then with a tube down her throat. It was terribly frightening and extremely distressing for my DD. Rotavirus is horrible and it is not uncommon for it to affect babies in the way it did my DD. I would give the vaccine to a child of mine in a heartbeat.

I'm sorry you and your baby found the vaccine distressing but you've still done the right thing.

Original poster

Allthenamesareusedup · 27/04/2015 20:19

Thanks so much for such prompt and helpful replies.

Yes he was choking cardibach, Doc kept him in the room for tens mins because he continued to gasp and cough and splutter and was struggling to draw breath. Once settled we left, so no need to wait in waiting room notyouagain, as ten mins passed with doc. Don't know if choking because he's ebf and used to determining flow himself (hasn't had a bottle yet oire fool me).

V good points re benefit of protection, and yes, just horrid inflicting suffering on bubba! Gd to know upset tum normal, and thanks for nappy warning! Is baby diorhoeaa noticeable?? Watery yellow gunk at the best of times!

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marshmallowpies · 27/04/2015 20:20

DH picked up a stomach bug after DD2 had the rotavirus - she had it on the Tuesday and he got ill on the Sunday night. Might have been unrelated, but it took him a full 5 days to feel better again and it wasn't nice. So I'd take the advice about being careful with nappy changes and hand washing seriously!

Original poster

Allthenamesareusedup · 27/04/2015 20:22

Idefix- thanks v much for suggestion re order of vaccines next time/asking to give oral one myself, v gd idea and much appreciated.

OP posts:

Cantdecideondinner · 27/04/2015 20:23

My youngest had rota virus aged 11months and was seriously ill with dehydration leading to cardiovascular compromise and had to be resuscitated then spent 5 days in hospital. It was the most scary experience of my life. The vaccine wasn't available at the time but if it had been I wouldn't have hesitated to take it. My child made a full recovery but it led to me suffering from PTSD and to this day as soon as any of mine shoe signs of any kind of illness I go into complete neurotic melt down mode and work myself up into hysteria imagining a repeat of that experience

Pico2 · 27/04/2015 20:23

The extra poo is probably because he didn't do one the day before.

You never know whether you'll be unlucky and get a side effect, but as others have said, it isn't a rare virus and it can be nasty.

We were lucky, DD2 had her second dose on Friday and the nurse had trouble giving her the liquid as she kept on smiling too much.

Idefix · 27/04/2015 20:23

The diarrhoea side effects usually more noticeable with bottle fed babies as they tend to have more solid poos. I have known babies to vomit it back up straight away and we have to then go through the process again.

LilQueenie · 27/04/2015 20:25

This has been noted in babies having the ne oral form of the vaccine. was it the oral or jab one?

freelancegirl · 27/04/2015 20:26

DS2, aged 4 months now, had the rotavirus immunisation and is fine but he does have reflux and ended up choking and going blue when we gave him gripe water when he was 2 months. I'm saying as I think choking like that might be down to the reflux.

Original poster

Allthenamesareusedup · 27/04/2015 20:32

Interesting freelancegirl, I did wonder if it was related to his reflux (he spends half the week puking after every feed and the other half of the week alrite, every week). Might be due to immature swallowing/keeping it down thing. Your ds2s response to gripe water was just what happened to my lil one today. Horrid, but a hell of a lot better than the experiences of several posters above whose dcs have had rotavirus, thanks again all for sharing your experiences and reassuring me. Am feeling a lot better (and Ds is snuggled in to my chest more calmly for the moment)

OP posts:

Chiefbumwiper · 28/04/2015 08:36

My son had rotavirus. He puked and had diarrhoea for 6 days. It was grim. I would have definately swapped for the vaccine!! Rotavirus can live and be passed on in swimming pools for a month!

ifgrandmahadawilly · 28/04/2015 08:49

I accidentally choked my daughter with gripe water when she was a few weeks old. Very, very scary!

I was also a bit about the rota virus vaccine. I'm usually quite pro vaccine so i just let the nurse go ahead and give my dd whatever she was due to be given without really looking into it.when I read the leaflet I easngiven afterwards I was shocked at the side effects. I'm not sure I would have let her have it if I had been given the info first.

Anydrinkwilldo · 28/04/2015 15:04

We are in the midst of a rotavirus infection here with my 3 year old. My poor ds is so upset at the vomiting and diarrhoea and soiling himself that I would take the vaccine in a heartbeat if it was available. Also, working in a health care based job I can see how sick lots of babies are, definitely if it can be prevented - take it.

Feckeggblue · 28/04/2015 15:15

Sorry could I ask for some clarity on this? My Dd is due hers in a month. EBF. Is it an oral solution which may make them a little poorly or both? I had no idea. I do want her immunised but would like to be prepared too. She's my first and the idea of her being poorly breaks my heart

RevoltingPeasant · 28/04/2015 16:11

Did you say they gave the rotavirus AFTER the jabs?

That would be why he's choking - he's upset and gaspy after the needles!

Get them to give him it BEFORE the needles next time.

DD has just had her first two lots of it. The first time she had a horrid reaction, with persistent abdo pain for a week. But second time, much milder.

The actual virus is way worse.

Also, agree about super vigilance with Gand hygiene this week as you can pick it up yourself.

RevoltingPeasant · 28/04/2015 16:14

Feckegg it's a thick sugar solution delivered in an oral syringe. Ie syringe with no needle, just squirted into the mouth.

Most babies like it as it's their first sugar hit!

But after, they will tell you mild diarrhoea is the only side effect, but IME in practice it's worse than that. But still not as bad as the virus!

Feckeggblue · 28/04/2015 17:12

Thanks v much. I'll ask them to do it before the needles also

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