No one likes receiving shots when they consult the doctor.
But as a mother, it can be even more difficult for you when it is time for your baby to receive one.
Good parenting involves performing regular checkups for your baby with doctor and giving all the necessary shots.
Keeping your baby’s shots up to date is a very important factor to your baby’s health. Infant vaccinations are given from the birth to early childhood.
Some times a baby will have mild reactions after infant vaccination and he might experience trouble while sleeping.
You can help decrease your baby’s pain by making sure he is comfortable and well rested before consulting the doctor. You can also use some home treatments to help relieve some of the more common minor reactions to infant vaccination.
Infant vaccination protects your baby from getting diseases. Some of those vaccinations that are recommended for your baby are:
- Hepatitis B
- Inactivated polio (IPV)
- Influenza type B
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Flu or influenza
- Hepatitis A
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP)
Infant vaccination protects your baby from very serious diseases. Babies may become very ill and even die if they are allowed to develop the diseases that are prevented by infant vaccination.
Side effects of infant vaccination:
Most side effects of infant vaccination are not serious. Some reactions happen within a few minuets or a few hours after vaccination. The common side effects are:
- Low-grade fever
- Rash at the injection area
- Allergic reactions such as, wheezing, hives, difficulty breathing, unpredictable heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness
- Injection area becomes red or swollen
- You child feels more fussy and restless and refuses to eat.
- A mild skin rash might develop 7 to 14 days following the infant vaccination. You can observe this, particularly with the chickenpox or measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. This type of rash can last for several days and generally it disappears on its own without any treatment.
- Seizure within few days after the child has received the shot
Care after infant vaccination:
- To reduce the fever and to lessen any pain felt in the location of the shot, give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for example: Tylenol, Tempra, Panadol, or Atasol or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) as per the directions on the package.
- Never give aspirin to your baby because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
- Place an ice cube at the red or swollen areas for approximately 10 to 20 minutes can also provide relief.
- You can keep the illness down at home, and hug and hold your child when he needs.
- Give plenty of fluids to your child. This will help to lessen the pain from infant vaccination.
- Keeping your baby’s room at a comfortable temperature will also help him.
- Don’t cover or wrap your child lightly.
- Sponge your child with lukewarm water to lessen the temperature.
- Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the sore area for comfort.
