Attending vaccine centre with tiny baby

[Theweedonkeeey]

I have a newborn and had a c section so a)I don’t want to be leaving her for longer than 10 mins or so in case she needs breastfed and b) it’s quite uncomfortable for me to stand for long periods of time especially if I have to be standing up feeding a baby.

I realise all vaccine centres are different but I’d like to hear about people’s experiences- will I be able to take the baby/pram in with me? How long did the appointment itself take? Did you have to queue for long?

I deliberately booked a vaccine centre in the hope I wouldn’t have to queue as there is always a massive queue down the street when the vaccines are being done at my local GP. I am under 40 so I guess I’ll be given Pfizer

@elastamum

We volunteer at a very large vaccination centre and if you asked a Marshall we would escort you through so you don't have to wait. Congrats on your new baby.

Same

I checked with 119 and they confirmed you can take children if no alternative childcare so you are absolutely fine to do so. I got moved straight to the front of the queue too. Felt a bit guilty as skipped older people but we were given a shot within 10 mins then sat 15 to wait. You may need to bf in the waiting area so provided you feel comfortable with that you're fine.

For anyone else wondering this - I went today with the baby in a sling. They said that I would need to wait outside as children were not allowed in the inside waiting area or in the 15 min observation room. I waited for about 20 mins and then they took me to a private room, gave me the vaccination and got a volunteer to sit with me for 15 mins and sent me on my way. DD did need fed and I used the 15 mins for this. They were all very lovely and helpful and didn’t make me feel like I had inconvenienced them (even though I had!). There was no seating where I waited but because I had the baby and might need to breastfeed someone got me a chair. People with older children had to stand.

Thanks to everyone on this thread who replied to reassure me!

I had my second jab yesterday evening. My DH was visiting my MiL in hospital so couldn't look after 5mo DD and my appt was after her bedtime. So I turned up at the vaccination centre (a football stadium) 3 hours early with baby in her pushchair. I had to plead my case but they took pity on me and let me in early. The pushchair was like a golden ticket! I was escorted past all the zig zaggy queues and into a lift rather than up the stairs with everyone else. I literally didn't queue once. I actually felt bad about it but it was amazing. Saved probably an hour of queuing. One of the perks of parenting a young baby I guess!