Top Three Questions About Your Baby’s First Shots

Ouch!

What to expect on your baby’s first round of vaccinations

(besides the inevitable tears—from both of you!)

We always ask about your baby’s immunization time schedule and avoid photographing them during this time.  They may not be happy campers for a few days after these shots.  And we want to stack the odds in our favor when photographing your little one.

The following information may be controversial to some but it was true for me and mine so I am sharing what worked for us.  Hopefully it will help ease the anxiety that comes along with those first shots.

At eight weeks, it’s time for another well-baby checkup, and this one features your little one’s first round of immunizations. At this visit, your child will be vaccinated against DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, aka whooping cough), Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), IPV (polio), PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), Hep B (hepatitis B — unless she got it at her four-week checkup instead), and RV (rotavirus). This alphabet soup of vaccinations may leave you needing some A’s to your Q’s. Here are some FAQs for you to consider:

• Are all these shots really safe? In a word, yes. Complications are extremely rare, and after dozens of research studies, no link has been found between vaccinations and developmental disabilities such as autism. The diseases these vaccines are designed to prevent are far more dangerous to your baby.
• What if my baby has a reaction to the vaccines? Your baby’s chubby little legs may be sore at the site of the injections, and she may run a slight fever (under 101) or be cranky. To treat side effects her doctor will probably recommend infants’ acetaminophen or ibuprofen for relief. It’s very unlikely that your baby will experience a more severe reaction, but contact your practitioner immediately if she runs a high fever (over 104.8), has difficulty breathing, cries for more than three hours, has seizures or convulsions, is excessively listless, or shows signs of an allergic reaction, such as a rash or a swelling of her mouth, face, or throat.
• Won’t these shots hurt my baby? The pain of a vaccine is only momentary (feels like a pinch) and compared with the pain of the diseases the immunization is protecting against, insignificant. You can minimize your baby’s pain by holding her in your arms and by distracting her (studies show babies cry less this way), by breastfeeding immediately before or during the immunization, or by using an anesthetic cream an hour earlier (ask your pediatrician — she has to prescribe it).

Also at this visit your pediatrician will look at how your baby is growing (height, weight, and head circumference); give a physical exam; and a developmental assessment (of her head control, vision, hearing, and social interactions). Got questions or concerns? Make a note of them prior to the appointment so you won’t forget anything. Most of all enjoy this chance to bask in your baby’s progress!

 

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