immunizations

my girls are 3 months old and yesterday they were sent off to the doctors to get the rest of their 2 months vaccines because the pediatricians office ran out. when we went to make their next appointment for their 4 month wellness check up and next set of vaccines they gave us a date that would put them at exactly 6 months old which would mean that they would be 2 months behind on their shots. they simply didn't have any other earlier dates they are that booked up. my question is, is this a huge concern? i thought it was pretty darn important for them to stay on schedule with their shots but apparently the pedi's office wasn't too concerned with it.

also, did your babies sleep a lot the day after they got their shots. the girls went down last night at 7 and didn't wake up until 9 this morning to eat and they were back down at 9:30. they just seem overly tired and cranky...is this normal?

TIA

 

Many of us choose to slow down our kids shots, so being a few months behind is normal. Even if this wasn't your choice, I wouldn't worry. The immunization schedule isn't science, it's simply the government's way of helping parents and doctors to get all of the kid shots in the first two years.

 

Don't worry about it. My boys didn't get their two months 'til they were five months.

If you're concerned with how they're reacting, call your doc. Mine were cranky and clingy after. The vaccines basically give them a controlled form of whatever they're vaccinating against, so their immune system has to adjust. Just be prepared for the after effects when you go in next time. Know it's going to throw them off their routines the next little bit. GL!

 

I wouldnt worry about it if your Ped is not concerned. Mine never slept really long, but I have read that to be the case with lots of other babies.

 

thanks for the replies. yes, they are completely thrown off their routine but i'm flexible so it's not an issue. i just thought they were sleeping a lot but i remember this happening before. they don't have a fever and when they were up to eat they seemed alert and not lethargic just very cranky.

 

Ours were always on time, so not sure on that. But, my kids were usually tired and cranky the day of and after their shots.

 

It's fine to get them later. Actually, a lot of people do that purposefully because it gives their immune systems more time to mature before being flooded with vaccinations. A lot of people also choose not to give every vaccine (for example, skipping the chicken pox one), which is usually called "selective vaccinating."

We started off on a "delayed vax" schedule and have gotten way behind. We'll get them caught up eventually. I'm just not comfortable giving them more than one shot at a time, especially considering they were preemies (immature immune systems) and were already getting monthly RSV shots. I also split up my older child's MMR in to 3 separate shots. Splitting them up is great because it's easier for their systems to deal with and you can really see which ones are causing the side effects.

Some cause fever or fussiness, others are fine. Symptoms shouldn't last more than 3 days, though. Did you Dr give you a sheet of info about the vaxes they got?

 

My girls did not get their 2 month shots until they were 4 months old beacuse adjusted age they were only 2 months and 2 weeks old. We are still behind but until they start school I dont see a problem. Mine are always whiney and clingy after their shots i think it might be 75% mental and 25% the shots. My girls are clingy anyway!

 

I agree with the others...I wouldn't worry. Many moms purposely delay their shots. As long as they eventually get the immunizations. Mine were really tired for the first day after their shots. It puts their little immune systems to work and that takes up a lot of energy for the LO's. I just let mine sleep.

 

We are deliberately on a delayed schedule. Our babies only get 1 shot per month, and are cranky for a day or so afterward. Our ped is fine with that.