Shots

Either my husband takes a personal day, or we have my MIL come help (which means she would probably spend the night which is just a hassle for all - she doesn't drive, lives 1/2 hour away, and I'd get a crappy night's sleep because of it - long story). I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and take the babies by myself? I know it will really suck, but hopefully maybe for only a 5-10 minute period where it's really really bad. Anyone else ever go alone and have to comfort two babies by themself?

 

Yup I did last time... It wasn't that bad, although we had a long appointment so they both ended up fussing some.

 

I did for their 4 month shots.. One got his, then I took care of him and got him settled.. Then when I was ready, we did baby two. Luckily I had the waiting room all to my self and great nurses. Also they were so sad after their shots, they were happy to be propped in their stroller with bottles and quickly fell fast asleep.

 

I am not as brave as the pp I took them alone once and it was awful! I will not do it again

 

All but their first shots I have gone by myself. We spread the shots out as well, so instead of 2, 4, 6 we have gone at 2,3,4,5,6 we still need the second half of their 6th month shots.

It really is not that bad at all. I switch off which baby goes first as they usually pick up on the other one crying and get a little scared and make sure the nurse knows to wait for me to put the one back in her stroller before she gives the shot to the next so I can be there.

I try to remember that they pick up on my feelings and let them know they are okay. They usually stop crying within a few seconds.

You can do it!

 

If you can get help, I would do it. Much less stressful. But if not- you can do it. I try and get DH to help and if we cant work out the schedules I take them. I have done it twice by myself. Not fun and alot of work (lots of sweating), but it can totally be done.

 

I have taken my girls for all their shots on my own except the first one. I take them in their stroller with a toy clipped on for each. Whoever is awake or cranky gets dealt with first. I hold the first baby while the nurse is getting the shots ready. Then put that baby in the stroller and switch. My girls cry when they get their shots, but usually by the time we get out of the doctors office they are fine. I dress them in something that is easy to get on and off and make sure that we do everything we need to at the doctors office before they get their needles. My girls usually fall asleep in the car after getting their needles.

You can do it just be prepared for some crying

 

It isn't ideal, but I do it if I have to...

 

Oh yes. We space out the shots so on the "off" months wher eI just go in to the nurse and get 2 shots, I go by myself. The first time was nice b/c the nurse comforted one while I comforted the other. Other times the nurse did not. So I would comfort one for awhile and then we would do the next shot. It really helps to feed them right after. I try to guess which one will react less and do that one first. I don't always guess right though! It's tough doing it by yourself, but doable!

 

I always go alone... Except for the 4 Month appointment... Though at 6 months we decided to go with a delayed vaccination schedule so they get only 2 shots & only one w/ aluminum at a time... It does mean more trips to the doctor to get shots, but honestly the fussiness after and the actual getting of shots is much easier when they are split up! Anyway, I have not really had any trouble bringing them alone, and I end up brining my 4 year old too... so even more fun!!!

 

I have only had 2 sets of shots with them. But I made sure I had their bottle or binky ready after the shot, when the screaming starts. It did help take their attention away from the pain and eventually calmed them. It wasn't bad though.

 

For us it's easier to bring them myself than to bring DH and the whole zoo. They tend to send in a couple extra nurses for us, so I've never had a problem.

 

Yes, I have. It wasn't too bad. I brought in the SBS stroller and took them out one at a time. It worked out pretty well! GL!

 

I have gone to every appointment alone since the babies were born. My DH got a new job about a month before they were born and never really had the time to take. We don't have family here so I have really been on my own.

It's not so bad -- they do eventually stop crying.

Don't worry, the crying really only lasts 5-10 minutes.
Beth

 

I did their 2 months by myself as well. It was definitely harder for me than it was for them.

I think it depends on the nurses you have. I've read on here (previous post included) that there are nurses who wait to let you calm down one before they do the other. I love my ped., but the nurses aren't like that at our pedi. office. Don't get me wrong however, I love their bedside manner and am glad we go, but I think because it is such a huge practice they don't have time like they would at a smaller practice.

Honestly, because it was so hard for me, I made sure my DH went for our 4 mo. and 6 mo. All in all, it was just a less stressful visit for everyone because I could hold just one baby & concentrate on what the nurse and ped. was talking about while he held the other one.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

last few times I went alone. Not as bad as it may seem. I also had nurses that would help me get one undressed while I'm dressing the other one. After one would get their shots, I put him/her back in the stroller and grab the other one. Usually the tylenol that is given to them prior to the shots knocks them out. So they sleep on the way home. It is tiring, but it's doable.

 

I take mines by myself all the time. Sometimes with out a stroller even. You can do it. I can admit that I was a little scared the first time but I managed.

 

I have only had my mom come to one appointment...it was actually easier going alone with them when they were smaller. I had help at their 8 month appointment because they are so clingy and trying to keep them both occupied by myself while waiting for the doctor didn't sound like fun. You could definitely do it alone, but having help as you know is always better!

 

I've done it and the trick is to give the first baby something sweet to drink while the second baby is getting their shots. This calms the first baby down pretty quickly and, hopefully, you'll be able to set that one down in his carseat and be able to comfort the second baby with a bottle or breast as soon as it is ready. Definitely don't forget to give their their Tylenol 1/2 an hour before the appt. as well.

 

I've always taken them by myself. It's really no big deal. My dr's nurses are great and always help out while 1 is getting their shots.
one time I had a whole barrage of nurses in there and one sat next to me and her and I each held a child while others gave the shots simultaneously. That was really great because they barely cried. They were so interested in what was happening to the other they hardly realized what was happening to them.

 

I took mine for their three-month shots today! I just posted about this in a separate thread. I was nervous as DH has gone to all pedi appts with me up until today but he couldn't get out of work. It wasn't that bad. They both screamed after the shots and I stayed in the room for almost a half hour taking turns rocking one or the other. If I could have someone come with me next time, I will, just to have another pair of hands comfort a baby...but that said, we got through it and I am so proud of that

 

QUOTE(Kellytwinmom @ Sep 22 2008, 09:57 PM) [snapback]992664[/snapback]
All but their first shots I have gone by myself. We spread the shots out as well, so instead of 2, 4, 6 we have gone at 2,3,4,5,6 we still need the second half of their 6th month shots.


My babies are on an extended shot schedule, as well, and I have always taken them to the appointments on my own. Because we tend to do just one shot per visit, I just leave them in their car seats...they fuss for a minute, but it's always over quickly.

 

I take them alone every time. Just have a bottle ready. It's really not that difficult.

 

QUOTE(DeniseT @ Sep 22 2008, 09:04 PM) [snapback]992587[/snapback]
Either my husband takes a personal day, or we have my MIL come help (which means she would probably spend the night which is just a hassle for all - she doesn't drive, lives 1/2 hour away, and I'd get a crappy night's sleep because of it - long story). I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and take the babies by myself? I know it will really suck, but hopefully maybe for only a 5-10 minute period where it's really really bad. Anyone else ever go alone and have to comfort two babies by themself?


Yes i have been doing this since thier first 2 months shots-=not fun but i take them in full bellies; pacifers,toys and tenyol 30 mins before hand--leave both in the stroller or carseat-take one at a time; hug/kiss/tickle one baby while the nurse is getting her shots ready then prepare yourself to comfort that one--one more hug/kiss back in the carseat-paci,toy and move onto the 2nd-its hard yes they both cry mine cry so hard and i choke up having to deal with it but once they are in thier carseats and im moving in the stroller they calm down-i give them some formula afterwards and they usually cry to sleep--I keep the Tylenol in intervals every 4 hours --now i take them on a bus so its a good 40 mins or so til we get home but they are pretty tired afterwards and i put them in the swing when we get home because they are both cranky and i have to deal with that and 2 older children at home.
You can do it the crying wont last forever

 

I have taken my twins to the Dr by myself since day one well actually day 4 when DS got put back in the hospital for jaundice and I've had to go back to the Dr office almost every week since and their first shots are next Tuesday and I'm sure I'll take them alone then....DH works alot so I take them everywhere I go and usually solo