Should i wake my baby to feed after vaccinations
Baby Shots & Sleep - Plus Comfort Tips and Immunization Schedules
Last updated: by Emily DeJeu
2019 Baby Shot/Immunization Chart from the CDC:
Shots. Vaccines. Immunizations. Whatever you call them, they’re part of raising a child in today’s world. As those of you with babies at home can attest, most children (at least, those in America and in many other developed nations) receive a LOT of shots in the first 5 or 6 years of life. These vaccinations are key to preventing life-threatening disease, and are for many, are considered an important part of preventative health care, but they can also stress a parent out!
Now, there are loads of medical questions that you may have about baby immunizations, and how they will affect your little one. We won’t be tackling all of those in today’s article, but we WILL be addressing a few questions in particular:
- How do baby shots (or vaccines, or immunizations, depending on your preference) affect sleep?
- How can parents comfort their babies after vaccinations?
- Are there steps moms and dads should take to prepare for vaccines?
All good questions – and questions that we answer in today’s article!
How Do Baby Shots Affect Sleep?This question is pretty easy to answer, actually. In general, vaccines and immunizations will affect your baby’s sleep the same way that illness does. In short, right after getting shots, your baby will more than likely be extra sleepy, and sleep more than he usually does. However, your baby may also wake more often than normal. You may see lots of night-wakings the evening after shots, for example. Or you may notice more interrupted naps (even though your baby is actually getting more nap sleep than typically). Generally, babies wake more frequently after shots due to common side effects like soreness at the injection site, or a low-grade fever.
Why is the reaction to shots similar to the reaction to illness? Well, it makes sense, if you think about it. When your baby gets an immunization, it impacts her immune system the same way that a virus or infection would. Granted, the viral components of vaccinations are much weaker than the full-fledged virus (that’s why getting a polio shot doesn’t cause actual polio), but even so, the immunizations do impact your baby’s immune system.
But this impact, while it can make us moms and dads worry, is actually a good sign. You want your baby’s immune system to respond to the shot. Ultimately, you want her immune system to develop a resistance to the diseases against which she’s being vaccinated.
Baby Vaccines: Keeping Baby Comfortable After ShotsOf course, your first thought after your baby gets vaccinated is probably, “How can I help my baby feel better and stay comfortable?” Good question!
First off, it’s important to remember that, according to a 2009 study, it is best if you DON’T offer your baby acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) after shots. Doing so may actually cause your baby’s body to produce fewer disease-fighting antibodies. This means the vaccinations end up being less effective. This is pretty ground-breaking news since prior to the study, giving a baby a dose of Tylenol right after a shot was pretty much standard practice. Now, however, most healthcare practices warn against doing so.
Miriam Chickering, Registered Nurse, Sleep Consultant, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, shares this advice:
“My biggest tip to moms is to avoid Tylenol before or after vaccines and to only give a fever reducer if the fever is dangerously high or it has been recommended by their healthcare provider, because Tylenol use before and immediately after vaccines have been linked to reduced effectiveness.”
But if you can’t offer pain-relieving medication, what CAN you do to help your baby feel better? Try some of these tips to soothe and comfort your baby after immunizations:
- Use Dr. Karp’s 5 S’s! That’s right – The Happiest Baby on the Block techniques aren’t just for sleep! you can shush, swaddle, and swing your baby to being calmer and happier after any stressful occasions – like getting shots. In fact, utilizing the 5 S techniques can stop crying an average of 45 seconds after their immunizations – pretty impressive!
- If you nurse, breastfeed often after your baby’s shots.
Breastfeeding is soothing in and of itself, so if your baby is fussy and waking more than usual, offer plenty of feedings. - Try skin-to-skin contact. Skin-to-skin contact is one of the best ways to soothe a worked-up baby, particularly for newborns or young infants.
- Wear your baby. Again, this works great for newborns or young infants – being worn snugly against mom goes a long way towards soothing an inconsolable baby.
- Schedule your shots for the afternoon. As odd as this may sound, a 2011 study found that 2 month old babies who received their shots in the afternoon slept noticeably better than 2 month old babies who received their immunizations in the morning. You can read more about the findings here. So try scheduling vaccinations for 1:00 or later, as a step towards promoting better sleep.
We’re including this as a little bonus – we love this easy-to-read baby immunization schedule from the Center for Disease Control! We’ve included it below, as well:
*Chart courtesy of www.
cdc.gov
This immunization schedule makes it easy to see at-a-glance which vaccinations your baby needs at what age.
Altered Immunization Schedules, and Preparing for Baby Shots: Tips From Dr. SearsBaby vaccines have become a controversial topic over the past 15 years or so – but we don’t want to dive into that controversy here. In our opinion, how you choose to handle your baby’s vaccinations and immunization schedule is between you and your healthcare provider. You should know, however, that there are lots of options between following the CDC schedule exactly and never, ever immunizing your child. Some parents choose to use delayed vaccination schedules; provided you work alongside a healthcare provider, this can be a good middle ground. Dr. Sears offers his own delayed vaccination schedule in his book, The Vaccine Book, and asserts that it’s key for healthcare providers to work with parents, and to take their vaccination concerns into account. Doing so, says Sears, will likely result in higher rates of immunizations overall.
Categories Baby Sleep Comfort Tags 2 month baby shots, baby immunization schedule, baby immunizations, baby shot, baby shots, baby vaccination, baby vaccination schedule, baby vaccine, baby vaccine schedule, baby vaccines, immunization schedule, immunization shots, infant vaccination schedule, vaccination schedule
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Before, During, and After Your Child's Shots
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Prepare for your child’s doctor vaccine visit and know what to do to support your child during and after your child is vaccinated.
Before the visit
Read about the vaccines your child is getting.
- Read vaccine materials you received from your child’s healthcare professional and write down any questions you may have.
- Get a list of vaccines your child may need; use this quick vaccine assessment tool.
- Learn more about the benefits and risks of the vaccines that your child will receive by reviewing the Vaccine Information Statements. You can also request Vaccine Information Statements at the doctor’s office.
- Find your child’s personal immunization record and bring it to your appointment. An up-to-date record tells your doctor exactly what shots your child has already received.
Be ready to support your child during the vaccine visit. Pack your child’s favorite toy, book, or blanket to comfort him or her during vaccinations.
If your child is older and you can have a chat:
- Be honest with your child.
Explain that shots can pinch or sting, but that it won’t hurt for long. - Engage other family members, especially older siblings, to support your child.
- Avoid telling scary stories or making threats about shots.
- Remind your child that vaccines can keep him or her healthy.
Help your child see vaccines as a good thing. Never threaten your child with shots by saying, “If you misbehave I will have the nurse give you a shot.” Instead, remind children that vaccines can keep them healthy.
A mild illness is usually not a reason to reschedule a vaccination visit. Learn more about vaccines when your child is sick.
At the doctor’s office
If you have questions about vaccination, ask your child’s doctor or healthcare professional. Your child’s doctor will give you Vaccine Information Statements for the vaccines that your child will be getting that day. Vaccine Information Statements include information about the risks and benefits of each vaccine.
If your doctor doesn’t give you one, you can request one.
Make shots easier on your child
For babies and younger children
- Distract and comfort your child by cuddling, singing, or talking softly.
- Smile and make eye contact with your child. Let your child know that everything is ok.
- Comfort your child with a favorite toy or book. A blanket that smells familiar will help your child feel more comfortable.
- Hold your child firmly on your lap, whenever possible.
Once your child has received all of the shots, be especially supportive. Hold and cuddle your child. A soothing voice, combined with praise and hugs will help reassure the child that everything is okay.
Additionally, babies can be soothed through swaddling, skin-to-skin contact, and breastfeeding. If older than 6 months, babies can also be given a sweet beverage.
For older children and adolescents
- Point out interesting things in the room to help create distractions.
- Tell or read stories.
- Support your child if he or she cries.
- Never scold a child for not “being brave.”
- Take deep breaths with your child to help “blow out” the pain.
Fainting (syncope) can be common among adolescents immediately after getting shots. To help prevent any injuries that could occur from a fall while fainting, your preteen or teen should stay seated for 15 minutes after the shot.
Before you leave the appointment, ask your child’s doctor for advice on using non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child.
Remember to schedule your next visit! Stay current with your child’s vaccinations for the best protection against disease.
After the shots
Sometimes children experience mild reactions from shots, such as pain at the injection site, a rash or a fever. These reactions are normal and will soon go away. These tips will help you identify and minimize mild side effects:
- Read the Vaccine Information Sheet(s) your child’s doctor gave you to learn about side effects your child may experience.
- Use a cool, damp cloth to help reduce redness, soreness and/or swelling at in the place where the shot was given.
- Reduce fever with a lukewarm water sponge bath.
- Offer liquids more often. It is normal for some children to eat less during the 24 hours after getting vaccines.
- Ask your child’s doctor if you can give your child a non-aspirin pain reliever.
- Pay extra attention to your child for a few days. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.
Related pages
How to Hold Your Child During a Vaccination
Vaccines When Your Child is Sick
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
Make Shots Less Stressful
Keeping Track of Vaccine Records
Does breastfeeding reduce vaccine pain in infants 1 to 12 months of age?
Essence
We have found that breastfeeding before and during vaccination by injection helps to reduce pain in most infants under one year of age.
Relevance
Needles are used for early vaccination of infants and for medical care during childhood illnesses. These injections are very important but painful. They cause distress to infants, and often to their parents/caregivers, and may lead to anxiety and fear of needles in the future. Breastfeeding during newborn blood tests reduces pain. Breastfeeding, when possible and feasible, can also help calm babies and reduce their pain, not only during the newborn period, but throughout infancy.
Study profile
In February 2016, we searched the medical literature for studies on the effectiveness of breastfeeding in infants aged 1 to 12 months using needles. We compared the effectiveness of breastfeeding in reducing pain (measuring crying time and using pain scales) versus keeping babies lying down with water or sugary solutions to drink. We found 10 studies with a total of 1066 children.
All studies have examined whether breastfeeding reduces the pain of vaccinations.
Main results
Breastfeeding reduces crying in vaccinated babies. On average, breastfed infants cried 38 seconds less than non-breastfed infants (6 studies; 547 infants; moderate-quality evidence) and had a significantly lower pain score (5 studies; 310 infants) ; moderate-quality evidence).
No studies reported any harm (very low-quality evidence). We were unable to draw any conclusions about the risk of harm from breastfeeding healthy babies at the time of vaccination.
Looking ahead, if mothers are breastfeeding, breastfeeding can be done whenever possible to reduce pain for babies during vaccinations. More evidence is needed to know if breastfeeding helps older infants and children in the hospital while working with blood draws or performing procedures such as IVs.
Quality of evidence
The quality of the evidence was moderate for crying time and pain scores.
Most of the studies included infants between the ages of 1 and 6 months. Further studies are needed, including older children up to 12 months of age, these studies may change our conclusions. In addition, the studies evaluated the effect of breastfeeding during the vaccination procedure. We do not know if breastfeeding helps sick children aged 1 to 12 months in the hospital during blood draws or IVs.
Translation notes:
Translation: Sadykova Elzada Bolotkanovna. Editing: Ziganshina Lilia Evgenievna. Russian translation project coordination: Cochrane Russia - Cochrane Russia, Cochrane Geographic Group Associated to Cochrane Nordic. For questions related to this translation, please contact us at: [email protected];
What you need to know about vaccinations
If you understand the importance of vaccinations, here are a few tips to help you properly prepare for the procedure so that it is as easy as possible for your baby.
How to prepare your child for vaccination.
A few important rules.
BEFORE VACCINATION
RULE 1. AT THE TIME OF VACCINATION THE CHILD SHOULD BE IN ABSOLUTELY HEALTHY.
Moreover, he is healthy, first of all, from the point of view of his mother. He should have a normal temperature and no other complaints. Behavior, mood, sleep, appetite - everything is as usual. If the child was capricious the day before, refused his favorite food, then it is better to observe, wait. At the same time, if a child has had a runny nose for several weeks, but the temperature is normal and appetite is excellent, then this runny nose does not exert any load on the immune system and will not interfere with the vaccination.
The same can be said about the daily routine: the baby should not be hungry, but not fed to satiety, he should be well-rested and not overexcited. If the baby has recently gone to kindergarten and is still often sick, then it would be best to pick him up a few days before vaccination (for example, do not take him to kindergarten from Wednesday, but get vaccinated on Friday, until Monday you can follow the reaction of the child).
A few days before vaccination, the environment and diet of the child should not be changed.
RULE 2. MINIMIZE YOUR CHILD'S CONTACT BEFORE, ON THE DAY OF VACCINE, AND AFTER.
2-3 days before vaccination and the same number of days after it, do not go with the baby to visit and to events where there are a large number of people. The baby can pick up an infection there, the incubation period of which is 2-3 days, i.e. on the day of vaccination or the next day, the baby may already get sick, and in combination with the vaccine, the disease can take a complex form.
It is highly undesirable to vaccinate when there is a real risk of getting sick. Such a day is very often the day of visiting the clinic. Distinguish between trips to numerous offices and vaccination in time. First, go through all the specialists, if they all "give the go-ahead", remember that the incubation period for most SARS does not exceed 2 days. If after 2 days the child is healthy, you can go for the vaccine.
On the day of vaccination, if it is possible not to sit in the corridor, but to queue up and take a walk, take a walk in the fresh air. When the time comes, they will call.
In any case, during your stay in the clinic, try to undress the child in a timely manner (so as not to sweat) and have one of the saline solutions in the form of drops to be injected into the nasal passages (Salin, Aqua Maris, normal saline, etc.) . P.). The mentioned drops should be dripped into the child's nose every 15-20 minutes, 2-3 drops in each nostril (a real decrease in the likelihood of SARS).
RULE 3. IF THE CHILD IS ALLERGIC THE ALLERGY MUST BE IN REMISSION AT THE TIME OF VACCINATION.
If there are manifestations of allergic dermatitis, then the vaccination can be done only when at least 3 weeks there are no new rashes. But here (rash, snot, any real symptoms) the doctor has the last word. If in doubt, this is a real reason to do a clinical (general) blood test on the eve of vaccination.
If you do this analysis on your own initiative (i.e., at your own expense), then you will pay a little more at a cost, but ask to determine the platelet level and clotting time - an additional safety net.
If you are giving vitamin D to your child, it is best to stop taking it 3 days before the vaccination to prevent allergic reactions and resume it no earlier than 5 days later. Vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism in the body, and calcium metabolism disorders underlie allergic reactions. The slightest overdose of vitamin D increases the likelihood of allergies. It does not hurt to give calcium to the child 3 days before and after vaccination. You do not need to buy anything expensive, ionized, soluble, etc. Plain, penny white calcium gluconate - 1 tablet per day, you can at a time. Crush (grind on a coffee grinder), add to milk, feed. The dose does not depend on age - excess calcium is simply not absorbed (not absorbed).
RULE 4. THE LESS THE LOAD ON THE INTESTINE, THE MORE EASIER THE VACCINATION WILL BE TOLERATED.
The day before vaccination, on the day of vaccination and the next day, if possible, limit the amount and concentration of food eaten. Do not offer food until asked. Reduce the concentration when using formula milk or ready-made instant cereals for baby food. It is written on the package: put 6 tablespoons of powder into 200 ml of water. Put 5! And if the child is overweight - 4.5! With natural feeding, there are usually no problems - breast milk itself is an excellent prevention of post-vaccination reactions. But after vaccination, the child may well experience moderate malaise, which is manifested by greater capriciousness, and he is fed more often. Accordingly, on the day of vaccination, the child eats more food than on ordinary days, then his stomach hurts. If we are talking about free feeding, then the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- if you can drink, but you can feed, then you should drink;
- if you can feed now, but you can in half an hour - better in half an hour;
- if you can hold it at the chest for 10 minutes, or you can hold it for 30 - better than 10.
RULE 5. YOU CANNOT BE VACCINED IF THE CHILD DID NOT HAVE STOCK DURING THE DAY BEFORE THE VACCINATION.
Do not vaccinate if the child has not had a stool within 24 hours before vaccination. Constipation increases the risk of complications. Even if the child is breastfed and has a stool every 2-3 days, then on the day of vaccination, give him lactulose syrup in the morning or put a cleansing enema so that the intestines are emptied by the time of vaccination.
RULE 6: IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREPARE A CHILD TO HAVE ANY MEDICINE.
Most of the medicines that supposedly make vaccination easier to tolerate are a way of psychotherapy for relatives and doctors. In any case, you should not give your child medication on your own initiative. If the doctor insists on the use of antihistamines, do not use drugs such as suprastin and tavegil (they “dry out” the mucous membranes, and if there is a rise in temperature after vaccination, the combination of these two factors can increase the risk of complications from the respiratory tract).
In any case, taking antihistamines should be combined with taking calcium supplements.
RULE 7. DO NOT VACCINE DURING VERY HEAT, FROST, DURING AN EPIDEMIC.
Do not vaccinate in unusual, non-standard climatic conditions for this child. If the street is hot, very cold, then it is better to postpone going to the doctor.
DURING THE VACCINATION
RULE 8. BE READY TO ANSWER THE DOCTOR OR NURSE'S QUESTIONS.
Your doctor or nurse will ask you a few questions before your vaccination. These questions are asked to find out if the child has any contraindications for the use of certain vaccines. In order not to get confused, you can prepare in advance.
TYPICAL QUESTIONS:
Has your child had a severe reaction to any previous vaccine?
Children often have an unpleasant feeling at the injection site or fever after the injection. However, more severe reactions should be reported to the doctor or nurse, some of which may be a contraindication for a second dose of the same vaccine.
Does your child have severe allergies?
A child who is severely allergic to a component of the vaccine may not be given the vaccine. Severe allergies are those that can lead to life-threatening conditions. Milder allergies are not a problem. In fact, you may not know which components of which vaccines your child is allergic to. Therefore, you need to report all allergic reactions that you know about. And a doctor or nurse can match them with the ingredients of specific vaccines. Severe allergic reactions to vaccines are extremely rare (on the order of 1 in a million doses administered), and medical personnel are specifically trained to deal with them if they occur. Allergies you may be aware of include: eggs, gelatin, certain antibiotics and yeasts that are related to certain vaccines, and latex found in the material of a syringe or the stopper of a vaccine vial.
Does your child have problems with the immune system?
An immunosuppressed child may not be given certain vaccines (live).
Immune suppression is often caused by diseases such as AIDS, leukemia, cancer, or medical procedures such as steroid treatment, chemotherapy.
RULE 9. ASK THE DOCTOR QUESTIONS.
In the polyclinic, be sure to ask the doctor what drug will be vaccinated, what side effects and complications it has. Remember that sign means armed.
In the vaccination room, check if the nurse took the vaccine out of the refrigerator, ask if the rules for its storage and transportation are followed, you have the right to ask to read the instructions for the drug. You must see with your own eyes and feel the cold ampoule with your own hands!
AFTER THE VACCINATION
RULE 10. DO NOT GO HOME AFTER THE VACCINATION.
It is theoretically impossible to go home immediately after vaccination, and the doctor will warn you to sit in the corridor for about 30 minutes. Closely monitor the baby, in case of any signs of non-standard behavior, consult a doctor immediately.
OBSERVATION OF THE CHILD AFTER VACCINATION.
After vaccination, your child needs more love and attention. Many of the vaccines that protect children from serious illnesses can also cause temporary discomfort. Here are answers to questions parents ask about anxiety, fever, or pain that children sometimes get after vaccinations.
MY CHILD BECAME ANESTHED AFTER HE HAVE BEEN VACCINED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
After vaccination, the child may become nervous due to pain or fever. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking fever-reducing or pain medications. Don't give aspirin. If the child does not calm down for more than a day, call your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department.
MY CHILD HAS A ARM OR FOOT, HOT AND RED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
You can do the following to help your child. If necessary, apply a clean, cool, damp cloth to the affected area.
If the redness or soreness gets worse after 24 hours, call your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room.
Follow your doctor's instructions about taking fever or pain medication. Don't give aspirin.
I THINK MY CHILD HAS A Fever. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Take your child's temperature to see if it's really a fever. An easy way to do this is to take your temperature under your arm with an electronic thermometer (or use whatever method your doctor or nurse has recommended).
Here's what you can do to help bring down the temperature.
- Give your child plenty to drink.
- Dress baby lightly. Do not cover or wrap it.
- Sponge your baby in a shallow tub of lukewarm (not cold) water.
- Give antipyretic or pain medicine, depending on the child's weight, as directed by the doctor. Don't give aspirin.
Recheck the child's temperature after 1 hour. If necessary, continue to give medication for 1-3 days as directed below (if nothing is indicated, follow the dosage indicated on the drug package).
WHAT TO DO IF THE CHILD HAS DIARRHEA?
The gastrointestinal tract of a child is very sensitive and unstable, so the vaccination can cause digestive disorders.
This is due to two reasons.
- The vaccine contains microbes that can affect the intestinal mucosa. If the child had any digestive problems before the injection (for example, bloating, colic or constipation), then the intestines are weakened, and the vaccine may well provoke diarrhea.
- Parents fed the child too much, against his will, or foods that caused indigestion.
If diarrhea can be stopped by taking biological preparations (linex, bifiform, enterol, etc.), then there is no need to worry. If the color of the feces has become green, or an admixture of blood has appeared, or diarrhea cannot be stopped within a day, you should consult a doctor.
IF A CHILD IS VOMITING, WHAT TO DO?
Vomiting after vaccination may occur only once a day. If a child develops vomiting a few days after vaccination, it is necessary to consult a doctor, as in this case it may be a sign of a completely different disease not related to vaccination.
MY BABY LOOKES VERY SICK.
