After jabs paracetamol?

[grace7]

Baby had his 8 week jabs about 1.5h ago. Was advised to give him an immediate dose of paracetamol and then 2 others spaced apart by 4 hours. I'm not keen on medicating unless needs be, obviously if I noticed he was in discomfort / his temp was high I wouldn't hesitate at all to give him the paracetamol. I brought a new thermometer and the paracetamol but so far he seems completely fine. Temp normal, had a good feed and is now fast asleep. Aibu to only give him the paracetamol if he becomes uncomfortable or if he has a temp? Obviously I'll be monitoring his temperature regularly.

I think that seems reasonable. I wouldn't take medication I don't need and I'm quite cavalier about taking things. As in: Should I take ibuprofen or paracetamol for a headache? Fuck it, knock em both back with a chaser of caffeine and sugar, that'll learn the bastard.

If he doesn't seem in any discomfort then I wouldn't bother.

Yes absolutely. Some old-fashioned health professionals still advise to give paracetamol but in my opinion, it is frequently not needed after the 8-week jabs. Some babies run a temperature, become stressed or have a hot red lump at the site. In the case of any of these give infant paracetamol at the recommended dosage. Some babies get very sleepy or go a bit pale, this is also normal. You are doing the right thing to not give drugs unless they are needed. Follow your instincts

I did this for DSs first jabs. I gave him the first does then the next about 8 hours laters when he started grumbling with a temp.

*dose

It's advised specifically for the BEXSERO Vaccine. You should give it as advised.

Some old-fashioned health professionals still advise to give paracetamol but in my opinion, it is frequently not needed after the 8-week jabs

It's actually quite new advice to give it immediately after 8 week jabs because the new (ish) meningitis B jab is much more likely to cause a fever. With DC1 I fucked up the first dose because I'd never done it before. Mostly went on the floor and he had a horrible fever and was utterly miserable that night. With DC2 I got it in her right away and she was totally fine.

yes give it. As PP says it’s specifically needed for one of the immunisations given, and is strongly advised. The next immunisations you don’t need to give it, but the following ones you will need to again. There is plenty of research if you want to check how important is it. Hope night isnt to unsettled for you!

To be clear, you can give paracetamol if needed after any vaccinations, however it should be given as instructed after 8 & 16 week vaccines

I would. DC also needed it after the 2nd vax

I would (and did) give it as directed for the specified vacs. I reasoned that there was the increased risk of fever, and that at that age it would be far easier to get the dose into them when they were cool and calm than if they were feverish and distressed.

Agree with PP would rather administer before temp can arise and get too high

My DD had her first vaccinations a couple of weeks ago and she still got a high temp overnight. I would do the same again.

My HV said it was important to administer as instructed after 8 and 16 week jabs as it's easier to keep baby's temp low than try to get it down if it shoots up.

As POp's have said, it's recommended for the meningitis B vaccine as it's known to give babies a fever. It's prevention rather than cure for this. Not routinely recommended for other vaccines.

You should give it because of the new men b injection. Nurse said they strongly advise it because when it was 1st rolled out there was lots of cases of babies getting very high uncontrollable temps once the injection kicks in. I wouldn't risk it personally, they ask you to give it in the surgery before you leave where I live.

I didn't give as advised for this reason and regretted it....i gave the first dose but after that my lb seemed fine. When I woke him that evening to feed him he had a temp of 40 (he was also 6 weeks prem). Called 111, it was terrifying.

I have a 5 week old now, and will be giving the doses as recommended. Please give it, even if they seem fine.

Why would you wait until your baby is in discomfort and you might all end up with a terrible night? Give it as directed. Babies temp can go high very quickly and in some cases too high can result in seizures.

I've read a lot of different things, the doctor who did his vaccinations told me it was 1 in 5 babies who have this reaction... he didn't stress the importance of it - just recommended it which I suppose is why I was happy to just keep an eye on him. It just seemed a shame to give him meds if he didn't actually need them, of course I would never want my child to be in any discomfort.

If it's for bexsero, then give it. I'm a fan of only medicating when absolutely necessary. Your doctor should have been clearer with you. The risk of fever is a real one and the spike can lead to febrile seizures. It's one day of medicating to minimise the risk. Why not just follow the advice of medical professionals?

They should have given you a fact sheet about immunisations and why Calpol after is important. Also if you had a cold/fever/headache/infection etc you wouldn't think twice about paracetamol. Just because baby is ok now doesn't mean baby won't spike a huge temp in the early hours and be really ill

@Teachtolive

His temp is still normal and he's not showing any signs of discomfort, but I did decide to give him the recommended dose as a precautionary. To my annoyance the medicine came with a spoon (??) doctor told me it'd come with a syringe. Needless to say my ds wasn't a fan of me sticking a big plastic spoon in his mouth He seems to have taken it though.

@grace7 the paracetamol isn't necessarily to lower a high temp, it's preventative. It keeps it from rising. I'm not sure where you're from but Calpol would be the normal infant paracetamol in Ireland and it comes with a syringe. You can usually get them free from the pharmacy too.

@grace7 have you picked up correct calpol? Infant calpol comes with a syringe

@Teachtolive @Lazypuppy

I was told to buy a specific paracetamol for the after vaccines, I asked the chemist for it. I've read the box & information inside of it and it's definitely the right thing, just don't know why something specifically for 2 month olds is coming with a spoon.

Top tip: if you buy the cheaper stuff it tends to come with a spoon so buy a bottle of the more expensive stuff and save the syringe. When I was a kid I’m pretty sure they always came with spoons.