The Newborn Diaries: First vaccinations

Welcome back to the Newborn Diaries.

This week was time for my little girls 8 week vaccinations. Thankfully the appointment fell on my husbands day off so we could both take our daughter to the clinic. She was asleep when we turned up and the nurse asked us to wake her up as one of the vaccines is given by mouth. My daughter did so well taking the oral vaccine - she actually seemed to quite enjoy the taste of it! We were happy - vaccines were off to a positive start. Then came time for the two leg injections - my daughter did not like these. My husband held her arms still whilst I cradled her and held her leg still - one leg at a time. The first vaccine goes in and tears come. A quick cuddle and a switch to the other side - arms and leg held still - and then the second vaccine goes in. Time for a cuddle to calm baby down before we head home.

Following advice I gave her Calpol a few minutes after the vaccines (her first ever dose) to help manage/prevent fever. She took it so well, this was given about 1:30pm. My daughter was very sleepy and clingy for the afternoon, which we expected. When it came to 4 hours after the Calpol dose, she was asleep, but at 5.5 hours after she was awake and I attempted to give another dose. My baby however wouldn’t take the Calpol this time and spat it all out. Not much I could do 😬

She became upset just before her bath time at approx 9pm and felt warm. I checked her temperature and it was 38.5. Here’s where I became very anxious and panicky. I was so worried about her sleeping with a high temp and the possibility of febrile convulsion. How could I manage a baby’s fever when she refuses medicine?? I did what I probably shouldn’t do and began googling ‘high temp in babies’ to try to reassure myself - but it just made me more anxious. My husband was doing his best to try and reassure me that baby would be fine but I just couldn’t help but worry. We didn’t give a bath and decided that PJ’s and cuddles were the best move. She slept in my arms for a couple of hours as I was too scared to sleep myself and I knew she was safe in my arms. At 11pm came time for us to attempt another dose of Calpol and thankfully she took it. About 40 mins later her temp was back down to normal and I could relax a bit. This is when I thought that we could go to sleep. However little one had other plans! She didn’t go down for the ‘night’ until 3:15am, then was awake again at 6:50am. I was so tired but managed to get another couple of hours when little one went back to sleep 7:30-10.

That day after the vaccines she was very clingy all day and it was a full day of contact naps. I’m glad I had cancelled my plans in anticipation of this. She was very unsettled too and it was a hard day. But we got through it. After the vaccines she seemed to lose her appetite a bit and went from having 5oz of her bottles to 2-3oz each time for about 24 hours. That night she slept great - 9:30pm-3:30am, and 4:30am-8:45am. Much better nights sleep for us both. The second day after vaccines she seemed to be back to her usual self - she is still wanting to be held a bit more than a typical day, however did seem in a happier mood and is back to drinking full bottles again which helps her feel better too. It was a rough 48 hours but we got through and I now know what to expect for the 12 week vaccinations.

My advice going forward - cancel all plans for the day of and day after vaccines - you and baby will just want to be at home having cuddles.

‘til next time

Chloe x