Irritabilty Time After Immunizations

After immunizations irritability should be expected. I didn't know this in the beginning but, sometimes they are cranky from having gas. Little Tummies is a good product to have on hand.

My second boy was constantly crying. Nothing ever satisfied him. He was always irritable. His doctor recomended Gripe Water. Worked like a charm! It calmed him so well, I was just happy I was sleeping again! You can buy it over the counter and not everyone has it. I actually found it online for a really good price and bought 7 bottles at one time. It is all natural, it is not considered "medicine". It calms a fussy baby. It helps with teething, tummy ache, gas, etc. I think he got it every 4-6 hours for a few months. If a dose was missed.....you knew it! It may take a few hours to work but I swear by it.

J.,

My baby was the same way. He is now 11 months old, but he stopped taking a bottle and started crying during the nights, not to mention the days soon after his second month vaccination. It even looked like he was showing the same signs of teething, though everyone else told us it was too soon.

The only way we could explain it was that the vaccination somehow coincided with his growth spurt and early signs of teeting. We actually started him on semi-solid foods at 4 months and that helped him to get a head start on eating well later on as well.

Hope this helps,
Susan

Hi, My daughter is almost 2 months old and I have been reading up on her upcoming vaccinations. I read that the MMR shot has two additional reactions that occasionally occur: mild pain or stiffness in the joints that lasts 2 – 4 days. Perhaps this is making your son irritable. It sounds like everything should get back to normal within a week. Good luck.

Hi J.-

I would immediately report it to your doctor and to the vacine injury hotline. Good of you to realize that this change in behavior is most likely due to the immunization. Be prepared to have people think you are crazy. I would also ask the doctor to give you the serial/lot# of the immunization and the package insert to double check that it did not contain thimerisol. There are still shots out there some left over and some not (flu shots) that still have the mercury perservative in them. I would also do some research about this reaction and immunization in general before giving him another shot. A good place to start is this books: " What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Vaccinations" by Dr. Stephanie Cave (you can get it on amazon). It's a good middle of the road book that offers advice on how to tailor the vaccination schedule for your child's individual needs. Hope that helps and that your son feels better soon.

If it's been a few days, I would check with your pediatrician. Is the site of the injection swollen, tender or red? Also, keep in mind that even though he's tiny, he's always learning. So, he might just be learning when and how to get you to come over to him. (I have 2 girls, and although they're 9 and 8, they still do this to me...). Hope this helps - good luck!

I would say that by now it would be a good idea to contact you pediatrician's office and talk to a nurse. Four days seems to be a long time for an infant to still be irritable after shots. My son only had a mild reaction once and all that meant was that he needed a little more sleep and a little more cuddling time. Just to be safe, I would call. They might need to see him to determine if something else may be going on. Good luck and I hope your little one feels better real soon!

N.

Unfortunately, many happy, easy babies hit a period around 6 - 10 weeks where they begin to make their needs known more - the only way they know - by crying. It is most likely that the immunizations had nothing to do with the recent increased irritability and it is more coincidence. I have found this not only with the many infants and babies that I have worked with, but also in my own children. Certainly call your ped for advice/visit and to put you at ease that there is no reaction to the shots and nothing other than normal fussing going on. Good Luck :)

J.,

I'm not typically a "call the doctor about everything" kind of mom, but in this case I think you should. It's normal for babies his age to start to get crabby/fussy at certain times of day, but not if he's crying pretty much all the time. Also, with you going to work on Monday, I would be sure to call right away, so you can get in to the doctor without having to take time off from your new job.

I hope you get to the root of the problem, and you enjoy your new job. Good luck!

J.,
I believe that some irritability is normal after those shots. If you are still nervous, call your pediatrician and let them know what is going on and maybe they can give you some tips on how else to make him feel better.

Poor guy . . .its hard when they are that little and you don't know what is going on . . .makes you wish they could talk.

I am sorry that you ar dealing with this. You are absolutely not alone. Call your pediatrician and see what he or she says. At least it would give you peace of mind.

Hang in there!
B.

He might just be collicy. Just be patient. If you have covered all the basics, food, diaper, comfort (too hot, too cold), Maybe the baby is gassy and you could get some mylicon drops for gas. Other wise just be patient and try anything to sooth him. Vibration seats, vacumes, car rides, walks. Sometimes in the evening around 7 or 8 if I had her out for the day - my daughter would just cry for hours for no reason. Over stimulation was what i was told by my doctor. This too will pass. Try and tone out the cry and make the baby comfortable. Turn to friends, neighbors and family for support.I was a single 22 year old mother, and I feel your anxiety. It gets better. Be patient.

Could it be Colic? My son (who is 29 months now) started having colic at 6 weeks. I would think that any side effects of shots would be done by now. Maybe you should give your Dr a call.
Good Luck on you new job!

J.,

Hello I am a pediatric nurse who practices as a triage RN for a pediatrician's office at NMPG. I first want to tell you that if you ever have any medical concerns do not be hesitant to call your MD's office. Usually they have RN's like myself dedicated to answering these concerns/ and of course a visit or discussion would help you as well.
#1
There is a possibility of vomiting/ irritability and fever after immunizations. These usually occur w/n the first 6-8 hours after injections and can last for about 24-72 hours (max) usually worse in the first 24 hours. If your infant has fever >than 103 rectal/ or inconsolable crying >than 2 hours you should call MD ASAP. Immunization irritability is temporary and not ongoing.

#2 You do have a 2 month old/ is the irritability very different from his baseline? Does he have difficulty w/ feedings (backarching/spitting up/and irritability all day or night? If so your should discuss possible GERD or reflux w/ your pediatrician.

#3
Unfortunately many times if the irritability occurs in the evening at specific times and he seems well in the am or daytime the likely culprit may be the dreaded colic. It is not unusual for infants to fuss in the evening. Read some websites on colic and soothing. (like white noise/ decreased stimulation/ motion/infant massage). An excellent book on colic I always recommend is Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr Harvey Karp.

But first and foremost if you are unsure/ this is what your pediatrician should be available to discuss w/ you. We enjoy helping our parents problem solve/ and a happy baby and mom are always a priority for any pediatric office.

Good luck
C. RN BSN

Get him into the pediatrician right away!! I did immunize my children however I was very hesitant. Some children do have reactions and can affect permanenly!! Take him to the ped. keep an eye on him and find out exactly which ones he was given last time. Than I suggest some research into the vaccines left and decide whether vaccines are right for you and your baby. Good Luck!!