BCG jab

[newmum234]

First of all, I know the BCG jab is absolutely necessary and needs to be done. But it was so horrible taking my newborn to have it this morning. I glimpsed the needle and it looked huge! He now has a big white mark (blister?) on his arm which the nurse said should disappear within an hour. But apparently a mark where the needle went in will reappear in about 6 weeks time.

Again, I know it’s necessary but it’s such a horrible, horrible jab - poor baby

Their first vaccinations are always horrible for you. They forget about them much quicker than you do!
If it’s any consolation I had mine nearly 40 years ago as a baby and my scar is tiny now. I’m glad mine was done as a baby and didn’t have to do the whole getting punched in the arm at school aged 13/14.

I also remember getting mine done while at school. You’re right, at least my baby will have no memory of it! It just seems to be a particularly horrible one.

My little one is 7 months and had his BCG at 5 days old. It hasn’t ever appeared to bother him. He still has the red mark but as previous poster said, imagine it will end up just a feint scar like ours x

I had mine done when I was a baby but everybody else at my school had theirs done at about 15. I was really glad I had it as a baby when I saw how much it hurt my friends! You’ve done the right thing!

You have my sympathy op. Both of mine have had it done, ds was about 8 months and dd was 4 months. Be prepared for it to come up on the arm a good few weeks after the jab, and if it looks like its distressing baby at all, give the nurse a call. It is the worst of the vaccinations though in my experience, it's a huge needle and a slow injection, I hated it with both kids. But as you say, it needs to be done.

it's a huge needle and a slow injection

I know, I was so shocked by the size of the needle!