Rotavirus vaccine harmed my newborn

[Niki89]

My newborn had rotavirus vaccine 7 days ago and it completely ruined his stomach and generally changed him, he is not my happy chatty, alert baby that he was before the vax. Straight after the vax he had acute stomach cramps which he never had before and screamed in pain for 24 hours. After that he keeps on having painful tummy, is not as alert as he used to be and generally not happy and weak.
I cant believe I allowed it to happen to him. I am convinced his gut good bacteria is now f*ckd and my biggest fear that he will never get back to his happy alert self again… I am devastated. Has anyone else experience the same?

I assume you've read the information leaflet about what to look out for after having the vaccination?

It's horrible when your newborn is unwell for whatever reason.

Take him back to the doctor, as the leaflet they give you suggests.

When you say newborn, how old is he?

A lot babies have (Edit: v common and normal) vax side effects as they develop immunity and they also through a short period of colic/ digestive upset as their digestive system develops and that may have coincided with the vax.

I’m not dismissing your valid concern, but it’s very unlikely the vax has completely ruined your baby’s stomach and well-being. If you feel concerned, do speak with your doc.

One of ours had about 4-5 days of upset tummy and being fussy. It's still better than them getting the full impact of the actual illness. If he's not even handled the vaccine well he'd likely have been one of the group at most risk from the actual illness and so is benefitting most from having been vaccinated compared to babies who can handle stomach upsets better.

Did he get it as part of 8 week vaccinations?

Give him some probiotics, he'll be fine. Better than catching rotavirus.

Indeed, 8 week one

Are you breastfeeding? If yes it's the best medicine! He'll recover unharmed.

This is way, way, better than the effects of catching Rotavirus, which is highly contagious and can kill babies.

They don't make vaccines unless the actual illness puts people at serious risk, Rota is potentially deadly.

I appreciate you're feeling upset and regret now - but this will pass, and your baby is protected from a highly infectious, dangerous, illness.

Rotavirus kills babies. You made the right choice

Poor thing, I hated the vaccinations - and I remember the 8 week ones actually hit my baby the hardest, and the rotavirus vaccine did mess up his poos for a week after. Keep breastfeeding constantly if you can to build up the good gut bacteria if you can- and hopefully he’ll be back to himself soon.

I’m genuinely curious about how you know your baby has a painful tummy.

Babies do get gas pain and cry (they don’t scream) so is the timing just coincidental?

Are you bottle feeding as this can have issues for baby”s stomach. And if has lain the bicycle method and pumping of legs helps.

Just keep breastfeeding and he'll be fine.

The rotavirus vaccine really affected both my boys. They were clearly very uncomfortable for about 10 days after, and their nappies were very loose. Still glad they had the vaccine however, it saves lives.

I know when you're in the thick of it, it's so overwhelming. And it's horrible to see your baby suffer. But you've done the right thing. It will pass. Sending your little one love.

It took at least three weeks each rotavirus dose for my LOs poos to go back to normal. Nappy rash every time. Nightmare.

But I asked a friend who is a doctor "can this really be worse than baby having ACTUAL rotavirus" and she sent back a picture of Niagara Falls to represent how much diarrhoea you get from ACTUAL rotavirus. The milder vaccine upset stomach is SO much better than having your baby in hospital with actual rota.

Babies are pretty resilient. Your little one will, unfortunately, catch various nasty stomach bugs (noro, adeno) while a baby because we can't currently prevent them. Their gut will recover. Their microbiome will be fine. The rotavirus vaccine is better than the actual infection.

I hope your LO feels better soon!

Curious how your little one recovered. I am going through the same thing. Seven days ago my nine week old baby was given rota vaccine and she has not been the same since. I can tell she is in a lot of pain still.

Hi, just curious did your babies stomach finally get better. Mine had his 4 weeks ago and has been suffering with a painful stomach since.

Hi, Did your baby eventually get better from this, if so how long did it take

Just keep on feeding baby as usual- whether breastfeeding or formula, it really doesn’t make a difference- their tummy will settle in time

Take them to see the GP if things are not improving

Having the vaccine is way better than having actual rotavirus itself!

If you’re formula feeding, equally, please don’t worry- your baby’s tummy will settle in time, if not trip to see GP

My baby’s tummy got better after 2 weeks. I also cut out eating dairy completely so that might have been a factor.

My baby’s tummy got better after 2 weeks. I also cut out eating dairy completely so that might have been a factor.