Absolutely dreading 8 week jabs

[lizzyttc2017]

I need to ring and book my daughters 8 week jabs today but I'm absolutely dreading it. I can't bare to hear her scream in pain only for her to be jabbed another 2 times after the first. I feel awful and so guilty even though I know it's for her own good. Any tips on being strong during it? Pretty sure I'll ball my eyes out.. such a wimp 😭

Just think that it's for the best in the long run, you are doing what's needed to protect her.
Also, the nurse that did my Ds's ( not long ago, his next lot are due this week) explained that it's more of a worry if they don't scream as they could have problems with feeling pain, so try and keep that in mind

Then, Calpol and Cuddles

I can't lie, it wasn't very nice seeing my DD's chunky little thigh be injected but, honestly, it was fine.

If you bf your baby, get yourself ready and feed as soon as it's over.

I cried and cried when dd had her 8 week jabs. She cried too but not for long, probably less than 30 seconds and then had the longest nap she had ever had! The next lot of jabs were much easier because I knew what to expect and actually dd was calmer because I was. If you bf try bfing while the jabs are happening, that's what our nurse suggested.

Oh bless you.

Firstly as you know, way better a few seconds of crying than the serious ilnessses they prevent

Secondly they forget so quickly.

Even at 20 months, my son had the chicken pox jab. He screamed. The nurse gave him
a peppa pig sticker. He stopped and said thank you for the sticker and left giggling.

It's really not a big deal. Mine had a little cry but wasn't bothered for more than a few seconds. The surprise of it made her do an epic shit though. The nurse gave me a spare consulting really I'm to deal with it!

Dd cried for about a minute after her 8 weeks jabs and was fast asleep before we even left the surgery. It isn’t nice to see them in pain and confused, but it’s the best thing for them in the long run. If the nurse will let you, and you’re breastfeeding, try to feed as the jabs are being done, good distraction and instant comfort for baby. One nurse let me do this and it worked a treat, another refused at later jabs as she said dd could choke on the milk so it may depend on the nurse doing the injections.

Honestly, the 1 year ones are worse as they know what's going on. It's all over very quickly and we didn't really experience any side effects! Never nice seeing your baby being injected, but it helped me to remember how very lucky she is to live in a country where she has the opportunity to be immunised!

DD1 screamed for about 3 seconds then was fine. DD2 didn’t cry at all, she just let out an outraged yelp then looked at the nurse crossly!
Agree with PP’s that the one year and pre school injections are worse as they know what’s going on.

silkpyjamasallday

It might also be the age of the child. Babies can breathe and drink at the same time for a few months, this means they cannot choke.

After a few months the changes in the size and shape of the soft palate stop this so an 8 week old is fine breast feeding, a 6 month old probably not.

OP

Not all babies do cry and it is much better for them to cry because of a jab than cry because they are ill.

I was worried too, but my mum pointed out to me (when I agonised over DS having had a lumbar puncture at two days old ) that a lot of the unpleasantness around medical procedures is the anticipation. Babies don’t know what’s coming and in many ways I think that makes it easier for them. DS screamed for a matter of seconds when he had his jabs, and then greatly enjoyed sucking the oral dose out of the tube!

I have to ring today too! This is my third DC and I have a meltdown every time, and DP is working in London so can’t help me. My middle child was in hospital as a baby and had all kinds of painful procedures done so you’d think I could put it into perspective... but nope. I’m dreading it!

The saving grace is that they forget easily and you get SO MANY cuddles afterwards when they just want to be comforted.

Just be aware that they may sleep a lot afterwards and it’s perfectly normal

Honestly, it's a few seconds crying. Get on with it. The alternative is potentially fatal diseases.

I felt the same with DC1, but was more relaxed with DC2. DC1 I asked the nurse if I could breastfeed straight after in her room and she said of course and as soon as he fed he was happy, was just a moment of crying. DC2 was so good too. Worth having I easy access clothes for their little legs so not too much faffing after for you. Good luck, wors x bgbfb

It won't be nearly as bad as you're expecting, mine cried for all of 5 seconds with the first lot.

Oh god they’re awful aren’t they? Are you breastfeeding? Because I fed dd when she had hers and it really made it a lot easier. Still broke my heart though! The way I looked at is, they’re better than dd getting horrifically ill with potentially deadly diseases. 5 minutes of pain is worth her being healthy. Positive thinking!

It's not nice but just remind yourself how lucky we are to have free access to these things. Bit preachy but worked for me!

How did it go?

@LutherRalph1 they aren't until next Thursday, just had to ring and book them today which is what got me worrying about them! I will let you know :)

Thank you all for replies, definitely put my mind at ease a little, babies ey.. she's turned me into such a softie! 😭

@arbrighton she never said she wasn’t having it done. She said she was dreading it. Some people are more sensitive to their babies discomfort than others and need a bit of a handhold, and “get on with it” is just unhelpful

Oops sorry op, I misread!