How to Get Your Baby Immunization Ready

Shots can take a perfectly cheery baby and turn them into a sad sack realizing that the world isn’t the charm he thought it was.

Two month shots.

Yes, they save lives — but they might just ruin yours, at least for a few days.  

{Now is the time to stop you if you’re anti-immunization.  I am am pro-immunization along the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  If you are anti-immunization, feel free to click away.  We can certainly agree to disagree.}

First off, hello! I’m Hilary — many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind this website Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. 🩺​ Before I worked labor and delivery, I worked for a pediatrician giving shots to babies and kids. So, I know a thing or two about immunizations.

How to get your baby immunization ready:

Pre-medicate.  I always pop a bottle of infant’s tylenol in my bag before going to  doctor’s office.  At two months you’re too little for anything but Tylenol.  You could, obviously give Advil if they’re older.  I give it about the time we get into the room.  If you forgot it, sometimes they even have samples they can give you!

Soldier yourself.  Shots can be painful for moms too.  It’s rough to see it.  Maybe don’t watch.  There’s no shame in that.  Just know it’s totally normal.  I’ve certainly given shots (especially 2 month shots) only to look up and see a teary mom.  Very normal.

Rub it in afterwards.  A good nurse will already do it, but the fluid from the shot can ball-up in the muscle and be more painful.  By rubbing it you can disperse it to ease the pain.

Run those legs.  Baby shots are given in their thigh.  Run those legs and sing a happy song while you do it.  Remember how they tell you to use your arm a lot after a shot – same goes for your sweet baby (only they don’t really use any of their limbs for much at 2 months).

Give them a warm bath after the shots.  Run their legs and put a warm washcloth over them.  This is, again to try to ease any pain from the fluid of the shot.

Keep the tylenol.  Seems like tylenol in infants is getting a bit of a bad rap lately.  BUT, you have to remember that these little ones really haven’t had much pain at all in their whole lives.  This is a whole new experience to be uncomfortable, so a dose before bed (and maybe one in the afternoon) can be helpful.

It is certainly not unusual for the wee ones to have their sleep schedule messed up by these shots.  A little extra TLC for a few days and hopefully they’re back to their usual selves.

Just know that it’s worthwhile.  Those shots prevent horrible diseases.  We are so lucky to have them, and herd immunity helps all of us.  Says the nurse.

**Reminder:  Never take the advice of anything you read on Pulling Curls over the advice of your medical provider.

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