First shots tomorrow, any advice?

drea_raye · April 2011

Our doctor said to give tylonol an hour before, but from info around the boards I did the search to see that it isn't recommended as it makes the vaccines less effective.

Just wondering what I can do to help the little man feel better. As of now the plan is to nurse after the shots. Also have to pick up groceries, so before driving the 20 mins home I was going to wear him to shop. Should I plan to shop first? Or would the in and out/ up and down of car seat to BWing be more helpful than disruptive?

Any advice welcome!

SteelCityBride · April 2011

I've heard some people like to nurse during the shots. The nurse may side-eye you, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Lucky_N_Love · April 2011

I wouldn't do tylenol before just because you would want to see if there was any fever side affects etc. and that could mask them in additon to the research you read about making the vaccine less effective.

I asked if I could nurse during but the nurse didn't feel comfortable with it for the fact that LO wouldn't be held still on the table. I was mad about it at first but realized I want the person poking my LO to feel comfortable and not nervous that she would hurt her.

You will be just fine Smile Good Luck and realize you may cry...It does get a bit easier though.

Tonya_G · April 2011

Have the boob ready and waiting. I call it the Magic Boob, b/c she'll calm down almost immediately afterward if I nurse her.

drea_raye · April 2011

I expect him to be pretty upset... he had a lot of glucose monitoring and bili levels in the hospital, so I am hoping I am tough to it now. (The worst was the "careful" nurse since she took so much longer!!)

I think she would be half okay with nursing during, as she also leads our BFing clinics, but at the same time I am not sure how I feel about the tearing out of the nips! I will ask what she thinks beforehand and go from there.

Thanks!

Anything more advice is welcome Big Smile

llamakins · April 2011

Our routine was to bring a little wrapped cold/ice pack and apply to the site when the nurse leaves to get the vax. Then I would gently massage the injection site afterwards and nurse. GL! I would not plan to do anything big for after the shots. Hopefully your baby will be calm soon after and fall asleep, but you never know. GL! I never nursed during shots and that was fine. And I never gave tylenol before or after. Some parents do it as routine, but I don't think that is wise to use unless your child needs it.

pepomntpat · April 2011

DD took those first shots like a pro. She did not cry AT ALL...until 4 hours later. Then I gave her the Tylenol. She did fall asleep right away so depending on how easily your LO handles transition from car to wrap, back to car you may want to shop first or later on.

Dreamsicle23 · April 2011

Shots have never been a big deal for us. He cried for about 10 seconds, then life was completely back to normal. We always go out and do things afterwards and it's no different than any other day.

KatieB19 · April 2011

I second nursing while getting the shots. For his first shots, I nursed DS through the shots and he didn't cry at all (the ped. office was very AP). For the second set we had moved and our new office is not so AP -- ie: by-the-book, no modifications. The nurse told me I couldn't nurse during, and I didn't speak up and DS cried. Yeah, I'm a wuss and I regret not saying anything.

If you ask to nurse, odds are they will say no, but that's because they aren't used to it. There are actual studies (I have copies) proving that nursing during vacc. reduces pain in infants.

At the very least, definitely nurse right after. GL!!

erinkate23 · April 2011

Definitely nurse post-shots. My (very AP-friendly) doc doesn't recommend nursing during the shots because she had a baby choke a little once - as the shot went in, the baby sucked air in to cry and got milk. The baby wasn't hurt or anything, but coughing didn't help the situation.

DS was very sore and upset after his first shots; I got in the bathtub with him and the combination of skin-to-skin contact and warm water calmed him down. He was right as rain when we finally got out of the bubble bath.

BelhurstBride · April 2011

I don't know what time your appt is so this may be late, but personally I would plan to shop first. DD has never taken well to the shots and there's no way I could do any errands afterward.

papagena · April 2011

Another vote for nursing during shots - we've done it with both LO's, and I think I actually got that advice from my pedi (pretty AP). We've gotten through all of them without much crying at all.

drea_raye · April 2011

Thanks all! We are back now... it wasn't very much fun, but he was okay a little while after. He is sleeping now, so far no signs of fever.

I remember getting boosters when I was little and I always like to curl up and sleep the afternoon away after.

Hopefully he is still good later... but if not I have the tylenol ready!

misskassielynn · April 2011

Late to the game but my advice is after advice anyhow! Sully got his done last week and this past weekend he caught a cold from FIL who barely had a cough. FIL lives with us, so it was kind of unavoidable, but just remember his immune system is busy fighting those dead viruses, so he will be compromised for a few days. Be extra careful with germs and such!

Maxines Mom · April 2011

Same for us.

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