So my baby has his 6 mo. check-up tomorrow & I'm pretty sure he's getting shots. My 4 yr. old has a playdate with the neighbor kid (also in his preschool class)this afternoon and his mom just told me that her other son (who is 2) has a cold. So I can't decide if I should send him over there or not. I don't want the baby to get sick, he's already not the best sleeper, and with the vaccinations, am I asking for trouble? On the other hand, can't live in a bubble, my son already has been exposed to the brother since they go to school together. What would you do?
Thanks everyone for responding. I esp. appreciate the common sense answers I received. The baby doesn't sleep well which means I don't sleep well, & my decision making ability has gone out the window. I did let my son go. I'll just scrub him down when he gets home ;) For anyone who 'didn't get it", after the last round of shots, the baby was fussier & more clingy than usual so I'm prepared that it may go that way again. He's also teething, & he's not taking it well, now add a virus that I just invited into my house that will probably show up within a week. It doesn't look good for me. When you're not getting any sleep, thats all you can think about, how much, how good, and for how long. If you kid(s) recovered well after shots/having a cold, count yourself lucky.
Just in response - I've actually heard you SHOULD NOT give Tylenol prior to shots but instead Motrin. Something about Tylenol affecting the gut...
I'm not sure that I see the connection between the common cold and your child's vaccinations. If your son goes over there to play, just ask the mother to have him wash his hands carefully before eating. Remind him not to put his hands in his mouth or eyes and have him wash his hands before leaving the friend's house.
Your 6 month old isn't a good sleeper and a cold will make him less of a good sleeper, but still not sure what it has to do with the shots! Make sure you give him some Tylenol before going to the doctor and there's a good chance he'll take a long nap after the visit.
The doctor will vaccinate your child unless he/she is currently running a fever or is very ill. I have opted out of a few vaccinations because my kids were ill and took them a week or 2 later to get them. Anything your baby is exposed to today second-hand likely won't make the baby sick for a week or so because your older child would have to become ill and then give it to the baby. Just wash your older child up when he comes home from the playdate this afternoon, unless you truly don't want your older kid exposed to the sick other child (which would be understandable as well).
I would postpone the playdate with the sick child. Wait till he's better.
Most vaccinations aren't delayed for a cold; if baby had the flu or RSV, they might be, but not for a cold. I would get vaccinations as scheduled (most kids only have mild reactions, tylenol is generally enough to get them through, and if he catches the cold, it will be several days before he gets sick, probably be about over vaccination ickiness anyway).
I would let your son go, if the other mom feels up to it. Having someone to play with can help get her son out of her hair for a short time, they can play while she takes care of the younger. If you plan on staying, I would find someone to watch your baby for the short time, to reduce chance of exposure to him, but if your 4 year old has been exposed already, he'll probably eventually pass it along.
All babies are more cranky and lots more clingy after shots. That's just fact. They had a poke, it hurt a bit, they want momma. The Tylenol really helps keep fevers from happening though. A bit of fever is normal but a high one is not.
Tylenol is for fever and pain.
Motrin is for inflammation which causes pain. It doesn't work for fevers and regular pain as well as Tylenol.
I would be concerned as well for his upcoming shots. A Dr. will wait to administer vaccines if the child hasnt been well so I would imagine that a cold at the same time as receiving the shots could cause unnecessay issues. I would just reschedule and keep your mind at ease.
Good Luck
I'd let the older one go with extra hand washings when he gets home and maybe some extra OJ for a snack. It takes 2-3 days from being exposed to develop a cold so at worst the baby won't get sick until a day or more after the shots. My kids had no problems with shots (they are also getting some more tomorrow) but the second baby got more colds when her brother was in preschool. The first winter was rough but the second one was much better (no sick visits for either kid!). I think the gummy immunity plus vitamins also helped.
