Vaccinations

sbphotos

My little guy came home last Friday after his two month NICU stay. Yay!

Now he's due for his 2 month vaccinations on Monday and I'm dreading it. I called the doctor at the NICU and she said that even though he's gestationally still only 38 weeks, they do vaccinations in chronological age so it's totally appropriate for him to get them. I just think he's still so small (5 lbs) and it seems harsh to give that multitude of vaccines to a preemie at this stage.  

I would love to hear anyone's experience with their 2 month shots...maybe ease my worry a bit? 

tarapiag

We followed all the dr's recommendations for our 31 weeker who was in the NICU for 7 weeks.  She received her 2 month shots at 38 weeks gestation after being home for 3 days.  I think she was also right around 5 lbs and did fine.  We had the same reaction I hear from term moms for 2 month shots; slightly elevated temp (100.4-101) and general grumpiness for 2-3 days but came right back around.  I can't remember if we gave her tylenol or not; so you may want to check with your ped to see if you can, but her reaction was similar but shorter (1-2 days) at 4 months and no reaction at all to 6 month shots. HTH-GL!

JuliaJAG

Most of the preemie moms I talk to do their vaccinations based on actual not adjusted age. (My baby's pediatrician is one of the few who recommends basing the schedule on adjusted age, but that's apparently rare.)

As for us, we are not going to vaccinate... at all... until our son is at least two years old. He was on TPN for 2.5 weeks, and that is a LOT of aluminum exposure that predisposes him to sensory issues and possibly autism. We've weighed the risks and benefits and have decided not to inject more aluminum into his little body for the time being. It's the right decision for us, but we are also low-risk for getting a dread disease (e.g., we don't have older school-age children; we will not be sending him to daycare; etc.). 

AlwaysSunny925

We were a little shocked as well when they wanted to give the 2 month vaccines at actual age.  A & R were only 32 weeks GA so we wanted to hold off.  The neos said that they follow actual age for vaccines, and because they immune systems are already compromised it's even more important to do the vaccines.  Also, Aiden was scheduled to have surgery a few days later where they were going to take him off the NICU floor...so I was nervous about him being exposed to germs in the hospital and that's what sealed the deal for us.  So far they are up to date for all their vaccinations. 

ETA:  At their 2 month shots they were probably no more than 3 lbs each and they did fine with the vaccines.

urbanflowerpot

They follow actual age so DS got part of his 2 mo at discharge and the rest two days later at his f/up appt (he was discharged right at 2 mo). We've followed the schedule for vaccines at his actual age ever since - eventually they don't adjust anymore and they need to be on track, you know? I guess it seems harsh - but at the same time LOs are poked and prodded all the time in NICU so I was pretty chill with shots. Only the last couple rounds has he been truly bothered. Before he'd wimper and that was that. He was really clingy/sleepy after his 2 and 4 mo shots. Good luck - I'm sure you'll both do great

jacque_z

We were in the NICU for C's first round of vaccines.  She was born at 26 weeks so she was very small (around 4 lbs) when she got them.  They did break up them and gave them to her over two days.  She did totally fine.  It was much easier when she was smaller than it is now and she knows what's coming. 

DrRx

Adalyn, my 26 weeker, got her 2 month shots while still in the NICU and she weighed about 4.5 pounds.  She got them over 2 days and had no problems.  They go by actual age, and it is also what the AAP recommends. 

Pips09

Same here as PPs. We got all the shots on the actual age schedule. She got her 2 month shots right before her due date. Regular reaction of low fever and irritability. Still not fun!

sbphotos

Thank you everyone. Very helpful to hear your stories :-)

PhDMomma

We got them on his actual age.  He was a little cranky, but nowhere near as unhappy as when he had the syngais ones for RSV.  I did end up giving him some tylenol on the pedi's recommendation.