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Original poster

Trying not to cry

34 replies

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 05:17

I have to take my little boy for his 1 year vaccinations this afternoon which I would be dreading anyway as it’s a load at once and it’s not pleasant is it? But they have said I should wear a mask and the mask thing is crap anyway.... but I can’t even give him a reassuring smile. The normal human loving response to your baby is just taken away. I don’t know why I’m posting I just feel like I’m bottling up a big cry lol of course he will get over it and never remember it. But it’s just another reminder of this new way we need to live and it’s crap

OP posts:

LatteLover12 · 29/07/2020 05:24

He'll be absolutely fine OP!

Take a little packet of chocolate buttons for him after the appointment & by the time you're home he'll have forgotten all about it.

If you're worried about the mask then show him it before you leave the house, let him try it on himself and look in the mirror.

Honestly, we don't give our children the credit they deserve sometimes. Turn it into something fun & don't let him see you're worried.

whatswithtodaytoday · 29/07/2020 05:26

He'll be fine. He'll cry anyway, and mine thinks my mask is funny, he tries to play peekaboo with it. Get him used to it before you go.

Original poster

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 05:32

Thanks, i don’t think he’s seen me in a mask so deffo will put it on before we go and play about with it. Lately it’s like I’m fine I’m fine and then one wee thing reminds me oh! Yes! The pandemic lol.

OP posts:

suggestionsplease1 · 29/07/2020 05:38

Yes, wear it before for funny, silly games with him...make him laugh about it and that will be the positive association he has for it rather that just seeing it during the jabs.

Nquartz · 29/07/2020 05:56

DD was giggling all the way through one set when I think she was about 1 (she's 8 now so my memory is a bit hazy ), very surprised & it made the nurses day so you never know how he'll react.

Give him a big cuddle & have a favourite toy waiting for him afterwards, he'll be fine.

Rebelwithallthecause · 29/07/2020 06:00

I took my baby for their first jabs this week

I had forgotten I was wearing a mask and just naturally smiled at baby after and she smiled back

I can only assume that the smile was still seen in the eyes

It’s rubbish, but short lived

Jrobhatch29 · 29/07/2020 07:22

I took my baby for her first injections a few weeks ago and she has her 12 week ones on friday. It isnt pleasant but you can still hug him and you are in and out so fast

OpheliasCrayon · 29/07/2020 07:31

You can smile. Real smiles show in your eyes as well.
And you can hug him all you like.

stopchewingeverything · 29/07/2020 07:31

I wore one this week to take my 15 month old to a clinic....he thought it was hilarious! Just take a fave toy and a snack and all will be well.

Sunshinegirl82 · 29/07/2020 07:40

I took my baby in May, he didn't like the mask I'm not going to lie but the wait was short and the chocolate buttons I took seemed to take the edge off! It was all over very quickly and he was fine within a couple of minutes. Little bit off for the rest of that day but no other ill effects. Good luck!

Bmidreams · 29/07/2020 07:40

Draw a smile on your mask!

I seem to remember having dc on my lap for vaccinations anyway, and holding their arm in place, so I was behind them anyway. Then whip out the buttons! They're too young to understand at that age.

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 29/07/2020 07:43

You still hold them and they sit on your knee. They will probably watching the nurse so wont notice if you are smiling or not and once it's done you will be straight put in the fresh air with mask off.
I know it's hard I hate these stark reminders that things are not normal

FourPlasticRings · 29/07/2020 07:46

The nurse doing DD's had me position her facing away from me during the jabs anyway, and afterwards we had lots of cuddles with her burrowing her face into me. I don't think she really spent much time looking at my face tbh.

HoneyPea · 29/07/2020 07:50

I took my little boy for his 1 month ago. He didn't like seeing me in a mask but was so confused looking at me he didn't realise what the nurse was doing at first 🤣 Plus it was in, get injections done and then straight out. All finished in less than 5minutes 😊

Original poster

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 07:55

Thanks - I remember they ask you to wait for ten mins after to see if they have a bad reaction. Dd really struggled with her jags but ds seems more robust. I know it’s just me. He was very ill at 7months old and i think it has left me a bit anxious. The thought of fevers and sickness etc again in the midst of this pandemic makes me feel emotional. Guess the mask wearing just topped it off. He will be due a nap after the jags so hoping he has a good big sleep and is okay. I think it can take up to 10 days for side effects to appear

OP posts:

Original poster

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 07:57

I suppose the ten minute wait after is avoided now due to virus?

OP posts:

itsgettingweird · 29/07/2020 08:00

I think your reaction and feelings are perfectly normal - vaccinations are already emotional!

But I also think for is, as adults, masks are alien.
Many babies will actually just be some use to it and won't actually realise it's any different bad use their early years are going to be like this.

Love the idea of playing wearing it. Just remember not to touch or let your baby's touch the mask.

CarrotCakeCrumbs · 29/07/2020 08:02

My daughter had her 1 year vaccinations a few weeks ago, yes she screamed the doctors surgery down, but so did my eldest when hers were done so that's not down to the mask , but she did settle down pretty quickly. She had chocolate buttons when it was all done.

Neither of my children have had to wait 10 minutes after they were done and my eldest had hers 4 year ago, we left straight after they were done.

Original poster

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 08:05

When he had his other vaccinations and when dd had hers the nurse always told us to wait in the waiting area for 10/15 mins. Maybe it’s a Scottish thing? Lol

OP posts:

cptartapp · 29/07/2020 08:21

Practice nurse here. We always ask patients to wait after vaccination. Virus or not.

IdblowJonSnow · 29/07/2020 08:28

I've never been asked to hang around after vaccinations with either of my kids.
Never heard of this. Reactions are unusual, I dont there are many practices encouraging this. I guess people can wait outside if they want to.
Good luck OP. It'll be fine.

SunshineCake · 29/07/2020 08:28

Remind yourself it is for his benefit and that will help you. IME the baby is facing away from you anyway. Just hold him completely still.

Staplemaple · 29/07/2020 08:31

It's normal to feel a bit apprehensive I think, but plan a relaxed rest of the day, plenty of cuddles and films and something nice and easy for tea. Regarding the mask, we communicate with far more than just our mouths and noses, and you can still talk through them, babies and toddlers are especially apt at picking this up. It will only be for a short time anyway, you'll be fine

Original poster

Sassenach85 · 29/07/2020 14:09

Thanks for the replies. We are home and he’s napping. He was so good. He did that horrible cry where they don’t breathe and it’s horrible but I knew to expect that. But the confusion and worry in his wee face surrounded by everyone in masks just hurt my heart lol. I couldn’t get out quick enough so I could take mask off and smile at him and kiss him but by the time we got out he was fine lol. Didn’t need to wait after

OP posts:

SunshineCake · 29/07/2020 14:26

That's great. Well done.

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