Is it bad if I dont get my baby's vaccination shots right away??What should I do??

Question

Well since Im a new mommy I listen to almost everything my mom says and she said since Im leaving and Im going to be traveling during the month Im supposed to get his vaccination shots,I should wait until Im settled , but that could be another month after Im suppose to get it.My mom said it would be bad to get his shots and travel with him because he'll have a fever and be crying alot.He only had shots after he was born but hasnt had any since,if anyone was wandering.He's 1 month and 1 week old now.Thanks for the help....Bye

I cant just extend my trip.My husband only graduates from boot camp (Army) once.I miss my husband dearly and we wont be together for 8 months and on this trip we will be able to visit him. So Im not going to extend , its not an option.

Answer 1

I'm not sure which vaccination he's already gotten, but there is a lot of discrepancy for the timing they suggest on getting these things. I've compared the schedule I found on a US website to the schedule we have for our daughter here in France and it isnt the same at all! She was a mth old when she had her first vaccination (BCG - dont even remember what that is to tell you the truth) and then she was a good 5 mths old before she had her second vaccination (DPT - I just know one letter stands for polio). When you are traveling if you dont think your baby could be exposed to what is going to be vaccinated for, then what is the big deal about waiting?? The real push is to have all vaccinations done before your child reaches 2yrs, at least that's what I've heard. The exact timing within that doesnt have to be set in stone. And this is just my own personal opinion here and I'm not a Dr, but I really dont WANT to have my tiny baby given a shot if they dont HAVE to have it right then. The older your child perhaps the easier for them to fight off the virus they've been given. My daughter never had a fever or reacted neg. to any of her shots... At 11mths she's had 4 so far and is right on schedule.

P.S. Ok, not leaving the house if your baby isnt vaccinated?? Overboard. Like you do everyday, keep your childs hands clean and if you see a sick kid stay away from them. End of story. You know what I hate more than anything is strangers on the street or store who come up and touch my daughter - even had someone kiss her on the cheek while we were in the bus. There was spit left there afterwards, I was so disgusted. This is a great way to spread colds and the flu, and if there is something worse then having a sick baby please tell me what it is because I think that is just about the worst thing ever. Why dont people stop doing this!!!

Answer 2

I would suggest getting his shots before you travel with him. He is at an age where he is open to many types of illness and diseases. Your mother has a point about the fever and crankiness, but there are ways to possibly prevent, but at least minimize it. Give a dose of Motrin or Tylenol before the doctor's visit. After the visit, keep up the scheduled dosing for the remainder of that day and the following day. If the fever is present and will not easily leave within the first two doses, alternate one dose of Tylenol, then on the next dose, administer Motrin. Also, immediately after the shot and every couple of hours during the first day or two, massage the site where the shot was given with rubbing alcohol. This draws out the soreness and prevents the typical "knot" that forms after immunizations.

(mother of a 9 year old and a 6 year old)

Answer 3

You really need to ask the pediatrician. Sometimes vaccinations are supposed to be spaced a certain amout of time apart. Are you travelling overseas? It is riskier if you are going out of the country. If you will not be, then it is probably okay to wait a couple of weeks. I think your next appt should be at age 2months, but I think it is okay if it is a tiny bit later.
Also, not every baby cries and has a fever after shots, and if they do it usually doesnt last more than a day or two.
Good luck to you and congrats on the new baby!

Answer 4

shots for babies are VERY important, and should not be skipped unless the child is already seriously ill. some might say the grumpiness and possible fever after shots could cause trouble, but what if your child is exposed on that trip to something those shots could have protected him from? this is also why infants have to show their shot records to ear piercers before a leagal piercer can put those pretty studs in. (if they are a legal and above-board piercer, that is. if they don't ask, don't get it done there!)

as for fussiness or fever, there is an easy cure. take the smallest dose of infant's Tylenol, cut that in half, and give it to the baby. my munchkin just slept after shot day, no fussing after the pain reliever. the hard part of that is not giving in to the desire to have the day to yourself, but to wake that munchkin up and feed and change him! (you will treasure those hours of silence!) usually the fussiness and possible fever lasts less than 12 hours. just make sure to remove the circle bandaids before your munchkin racks out, cause the alcohol from the swabs can sometimes react with the stickum stuff on the bandaid, and cause red splotches if the child's skin is sensitive.

those shots are, liike i said, very important. i would not skip them, for any reason but a doctor saying they can be put off for a bit. get a pediatrician's opinion, of you are worried about this. also, a small tidbit. some of those shots are timed with each other, as boosters. you have a very small window to get them for them to work effectively. one day too soon, and they cannot give them. one day too late, and you have to start all over again. and they do help.

and don't feel bad about asking questions. i'm a first time parent myself, and i ask Everyone i can for advice. happy parental unit to a 2 and a half year old munchkin of DOOM!

Answer 5

No you should go ahead and get them before you go. The fever and fussiness doesnt last long, and missing the series of shots ruins everything. Theres certain shots they shouldnt have after a certain age, which means the window for getting them is small. Thats why theyre set up to get them at certain times.

Dont put it off. It does more harm in the long run than good.

Answer 6

Your baby should get his immunizations. Some of the earlier ones are given in multiple doses and postponing could mean that you'll have to start over. Sure, your baby may run a low fever and be mildly cranky but some Tylenol should relieve him. I don't mean to discredit your mom or question her judgement at all but a lot of things have changed medically since you were a baby. When I had my kids I had to fight with my mom to put them on their backs to sleep. Find an incredible pediatician and then follow his or her advice.

Answer 7

no its not a good idea to travel with a baby that hasent has his shots in some cultures the mother nor the baby should even leave the house untill their shots are done because one their is alot of illeagel childeren that are here without shots and now since thats been going on their are all kinds of viruses and dieseses going on out their and when traveling your exposeing him to those possiblitys ,so why take that chance, so stay home or move up your appointment.or take the chance of getting him or her really sick because it is flu season

Answer 8

Not getting vaccinated on schedule is fine. There are some parents who don't get their children vaccinated at all because they fear the vaccines are dangerous. I got my daugther her vaccinations at three months and six months. You should give your baby some Infant Motrin or Tylenol before the vaccines to prevent fever and help with the pain.

Good luck.

Answer 9

I personally would get my baby's vaccination shots because you do not want to risks it. Not all baby's get a fever when they get they shots. It is better safe then sorry...

Could you reschedule your trip until afterwards? You could always travel but if your baby gets sick that is not going to be a good feeling.. Good Luck!!!!

Answer 10

The new vaccinations are not like the old ones, there is not a lot of fever and crying. They protect your baby at critical stages, so YES, it is bad when you don't get them on time!!!