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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be worried about 8 week vaccinations?

55 replies

MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:09

My son is 11 weeks old today and has his first set of vaccinations on Friday. He's been a bit poorly on and off over the past couple of weeks so had the initial appointment delayed. I was (probably irrationally) worried about this as I was scared he would be unlucky and catch something in the interim!

He was quite poorly when he was born. He had over 20 heel pricks every day for 4 days, couldn't feed, needed lots of help and it was all very scary.

I remember how hard I found hearing him squeak every time he has those heel pricks and am worried I'll find him getting his vaccination quite upsetting.

I probably sound ridiculous, as it's only an injection and is really important, but can anyone share their experiences with me? Were your babies all okay after or did they feel poorly?

Probably worrying irrationally but I can't help it...

OP posts:
costacoffeecup · 07/01/2019 10:14

Mine was fine during and after. Didn't seem to really notice it to be honest. It's done in a flash and all over with.

Original poster
MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:16

I don't think it helps that one friend's baby vomited and vomited after and ended up needing fluids, and my cousin's baby had a severe allergic reaction and ended up in hospital (I understand this is only 2 out of my many friends and family who have had fine experiences!)

OP posts:
PaddyF0dder · 07/01/2019 10:20

It’ll be fine.

You need to be able to cope with your child getting distressed, upset, sore. That’s life, and they’ll be looking for you to be calm and containing.

SoyDora · 07/01/2019 10:22

Mine were both fine! A quick scream when it went in but didn’t last long and no illness after.

Houseonahill · 07/01/2019 10:23

DD cried when she had hers but only for about 10 minutes. Lots of cuddles and a feed ready and I'm sure he will be fine. I also don't know anyone who had a bad reaction to the 8 week jabs (other than a high temp and being niggly) so I think you are unlucky to know 2 people

Poppins2016 · 07/01/2019 10:24

The 8 week vaccinations weren't too bad for us. My baby ended up with a slightly high temperature (had 3 doses of calpol in all) and was more irritable for 24 hours, but was fine after that.

The 12 week vaccinations were a breeze in comparison, no reaction whatsoever.

Thegirlhasnoname · 07/01/2019 10:25

My DD had a lot of heelpricks when she was born (left her crying in pain from the bruises until she was about 3 weeks old) but she was surprisingly ok with her first set of injections. Happily drank the rotavirus liquid and although she wasn’t a fan of the 2 needles afterwards, she only cried for around 5-10 seconds each. More of a shock type cry than the one she does when she’s hurt too

I’m sure your little one will handle it like a trooper ☺️

Purplestorm83 · 07/01/2019 10:26

Both my daughters cried quite a bit at the time of having the injections, but calmed down quickly. My older daughter was grumpy for the rest of the day, my younger daughter pretty much slept for the rest of the day - might be a good idea to go for a longish walk soon after having the jabs as that might help your little one sleep it off. I think these are the ones where they want you to give calpol at the time and not wait to see if they get a fever, calpol seems to make some babies sleepy anyway.

ReaganSomerset · 07/01/2019 10:28

Not to lie to you, I hate vaccinations for my DD. I cried the first time. And, in case you didn't know, there are three needles and one mouth squirt (which DD didn't seem to mind at all the first time). When she had the needles, my daughter screamed her head off. And you want to comfort to our baby, as is natural, but you've got to watch them be injected twice more before you can. Sad But she was fine after, and as you know, it's necessary and far better than the prospect of having her treated for the actual diseases in hospital (consider the number of needles needed for the treatment and diagnosis). Hand hold for you, and I hope it's not too bad. Every baby is different after all, your LO might not even notice, like pp's baby.

LayTheTableMabel · 07/01/2019 10:29

It's understandable to worry about your baby being in pain. My baby cried when injected but was soothed by a breast feed, if you are breastfeeding remember your milk contains painkillers as well as being soothing. Also they recommend that you give baby Calpol as it is a live vaccine & will raise your Lo's temperature so you may want to have some to hand. Be brave you are doing the best thing by inoculating your baby but no one expects you to enjoy seeing them cry and in my experience the nurse who does the injections say it's worse for the mum.

ReaganSomerset · 07/01/2019 10:29

*your, not 'to our'

BigusBumus · 07/01/2019 10:35

Like PaddyFodder said, you have to get used to it as your baby/ child will be hurt on and off their whole life and will look to you for reassurance. You can't just go to pieces. It's not nice, but it's over so quick so don't worry.

Original poster
MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:38

@PaddyF0dder @BigusBumus of course. I dealt with it fairly well when he was born as I just went in to survival mode. It doesn't stop my concern though and need for a little reassurance. My anxiety gets to me sometimes. On the day I'm sure I'll be okay, I just worry (a little too much).

OP posts:
ChodeofChodeHall · 07/01/2019 10:40

It's going to be fine. Understandable that you would be anxious about it, given your recent past. But your baby is likely to be just fine, like all the other babies having their jabs on the same day. You are doing the best thing.

Mishappening · 07/01/2019 10:41

Well done for giving your DD this wonderful protection for her future.

We all worry a bit about it - there is a world of a difference between dealing with a child who is ill by random chance and actually having to sit there and watch your fit child being hurt! But it is all worthwhile in the end.

Original poster
MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:41

@ReaganSomerset I was under the impression it was just 1 injection? It's called 6-in-1?

OP posts:
Doggydoggydoggy · 07/01/2019 10:42

I think you have to consider how you might feel if god forbid he picked up one of the conditions your vaccinating against.

Some people will indeed have a bad reaction to a vaccine,but the actual disease if they were to catch it is often much worse, sometimes fatal, and the fact that a (tiny) percentage of people react badly doesn’t mean the vaccine itself is bad or that we should be scared.

Your little boy will most likely be absolutely fine.
Sometimes they get a little temperature and a bit cranky, but if calpol sorts it straight out.

Original poster
MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:44

I think I just worry as he's still so tiny. He's only just over 10lbs at 11 weeks. Hopefully I'll be more rational and calm as he gets older.

OP posts:
BunsOfAnarchy · 07/01/2019 10:45

I cried when DD had hers as she had not cried like that before. She cried for about 30 seconds and then just fell asleep.
Do not be worried. It will be fine.

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 07/01/2019 10:45

I know where you're coming from OP. My DS has his 8 week injections this week (he's 10 weeks but appointment delayed due to Christmas) and I'm dreading it. Didn't bother me at all with my first DC but this time around I have PND and anxiety so I know I'm going to find it difficult. I just keep reminding myself it's absolutely essential for him to have the vaccinations and that ultimately he'll be ok even if he does feel a bit poorly after. My DM is coming with me for a bit of moral support, do you have anyone who could be with you during or after the vaccinations?

Corbynscat · 07/01/2019 10:45

Keep in mind the initial discomfort is saving your baby from distressing illness that gave me great comfort when I took my two dcs for injections.

I don’t know if this advice is out of date as my youngest dc is 7 now but I was advised to give them a dose of calpol an hour before the injection so it helped with discomfort afterwards

Being a mum is a hard job especially when you feel helpless but you’re doing great

Original poster
MyGirl6 · 07/01/2019 10:47

Thanks @Corbynscat - I was told that calpol can make the vaccination slightly less effective if given before so to give straight after, but will make sure I have some with me!

OP posts:
OldPosterNewUsername · 07/01/2019 10:47

Ten minutes distress from vaccinations is far better than watching your baby suffer the consequences of polio or tetanus,

OldPosterNewUsername · 07/01/2019 10:49

O cannot think of any logical reason why Calpol would make a vaccination less effective and to be honest this is the first time I have ever heard of this.

StepMug · 07/01/2019 10:49

Try to relax. The calmer you are, the calmer your baby will be.

Mine definitely cried less when I was calmer. My DH is so calm that he has been known to carry them out without much more than a yelp.

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