Question about shots

Amelia gets her fist shot (that I have to witness) tomorrow. Any suggestions? I know she'll be a trooper but I was wondering if there are any tips from the veteran Mommy's out there. I can't believe she is a month old already! I'll post an update tomorrow after our appt.

Thanks ladies!

What shot is she getting?  Sage hasn't had any yet, she gets 3 I think next week :(

Cant wait for her month update!

I think that he said it is the 2nd dose of the hepatitis B (it could be A though)

I can't wait to see what she weighs! I am guessing at least 9 pounds, she feels much heavier lately and has been eating like a piglet

Ruby had her first shots yesterday.  Fortunately we had time between the medical assistant weighing and measuring her her to get her all mellowed out again for the doctor to examine her.  Then after the doctor, there was enough time to get her to fall asleep before the evil shot nurse came in.  I think having her so out of it really helped.  She screamed when she got poked but settled right back down afterwards.

I thought the heel ***** they did for her genetic testing stuff at two weeks was much more difficult.  They *****ed her heel and just squeezed and squeezed to get enough blood out.  She cried until the car started moving for that one. 

The shots were really no big deal but she was obviously not feeling so hot last night.  Not fussier than usual but she definitely wanted to just cuddle and not be put down and had a slight temp.

With one shot you probably don't need this advice, but for when they give more- my 4 year old got 4 today, I like to give a dose of either tylenol or ibuprofen (better, but not for young babies- they recommend using it when baby is at least 6 months)  about 30 min before we leave- the Dr. is close, we only have a 5 min drive. so the timing could be off. Some people are against medicating such  a young baby, but I have found that it helps with their pain and discomfort immediately after- usually no follow up dose is needed. Just a thought- although with one shot I probably wouldn't worry about it. At later appts Amelia will get more! Good luck! We had to have lots of jaundice heal sticks for the twins, and they were so little! That was hard to watch.

Carrie

ways gave mine Tylenol right before we went in the appointment, that way it would start working faster. They also slept almost all day after their shots.

OOHHH please don't say "evil nurse"  I am a nurse at a pediatric office and  give somewhere between 25-40 shots a day. The hardest part of my job is to give shots. Nurses certainly don't go into pediatrics to inflict hurt on innocent babies, but if giving babies shots means they won't contract pneumo****al pneumonia or pertussis then so be it. As far as making the baby more comfortable after shots, our office doesn't recommend giving tylenol / motrin (after 6 months) before shots. Not all babies need meds to keep them comfortable. If Amelia was to have fever then I would medicate but other than that extra cuddle time, a nice relaxed environment, and a  nice warm bath (if she likes water) seem to do just as much.

I give tristan tylenol when I get him out of the car before his shots. His pedi recommended it. Also, I have heard of feeding through a shot so they don't realize what's going on?

She'll be fine! You might cry though, i did (the whole way home)

For a baby this small my ped told me they never reccomend medication b/c it can be just as hard on their little bodies as the shots, unless there is fever, then they say to give the smallest amount possible. We refused any shots before three months (including the one in the hospital), but once we started giving them I either nursed Matty though them or made sure that he had his paci in his mouth and is distracted by something else. Some peds don't want you to hold them, but I say nuts to that, snuggle her close, hold her tight and talk to her, your voice and heartbeat will be the best calming sorce you have, also try to stay as calm as possible b/c babies are the most perceptive beings on earth and she will pick up on your stress and act accordingly.  

We only give one or two shots at a time, and so far we have never had to medicate Matty or had any serious reaction, fever or even any crankieness after.

Good luck.

Thanks! I think he'll let me hold her, I did for most of the exam when we went last time.

I'll post an update later today