8 week vaccines

[Solly-44]

Hello,

My little boy is due to have his 8 week vaccines next week. We have some building work starting the following day so I’d planned to take him to stay at my mums house for a few days. She lives a 3 hour drive away (but we could stop to give him a break from his car seat) and it would be the first time I was away with him without my partner to do their share of feeds etc!

I knew babies could get a bit grizzly after their jabs but have just read on the NHS website that side effects can include a fever, abnormal crying, etc. Am I mad thinking I can take him away at this time?? Would love to know how people’s little ones did after their first vaccines.

[Seb9]

My little girl slept most of the day and was absolutely fine, we gave calpol for any fever but she wasn't any more grisly than normal for her at that age.

[Solly-44 in reply to Seb9]

Thank you! Yeah I’ll get some calpol. That’s good to know, I had visions of him screaming for days 😂🤦‍♀️

[Seb9 in reply to Solly-44]

My little one just had her year jabs the other day and was doing somersaults with daddy by the evening. I think I was more bothered by them than she was x

[MissSaoPaulo]

We had a 4-hr car journey right after her 8-week jabs (shortages in our state so we'd gone to my husband's hometown to get them) which I wouldn't recommend. However, she didn't react badly, maybe a bit sleepy, so if we'd traveled the next day it would have been ok I think. We were more upset than she was!!

[roxannacar]

With the first daughter, she had a temp for about 4 days, and was pretty unsettled. Also had some loose stool. My second daughter had temps for a day or so. So it's variable.

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

The 8 week jabs were definitely the worst for us. My little girl had a temperature for about 24 hours and was sleepy and grizzly when awake. The main issue we had was my little one hated the calpol. That was far worse than the fever, she immediately brought the calpol back as soon as she was given it. For the later jabs that they recommend calpol we waited to see if she got a fever and she didn't. If you are worried about the reaction you could see if you could delay the jabs for a week. It doesnt have to be at exactly 8 weeks they just all have to be spaced out right. Ours were all late by 4 weeks as the doctor had no space to see us.

[Solly-44 in reply to Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

You are a star! 🌟 for someone reason I had it in my head that they had to be exactly 8 weeks but after reading your post I’ve rebooked then for the following week. And will def stock up on calpol. Thanks lovely, that’s a weight off my mind xx

[triplecats]

The nurse told me that for the 8 week jabs you give 3 separate doses of calpol the first dose straight after the jabs then two more doses throughout the day. The 12 week jabs I was told I had to give 1 dose of calpol right before his jabs and then another 2 doses throughout the day, and his 16 week jabs was told to follow the calpol doses same as 8 week jabs. Nurse said it was to prevent any temperature because the meningitis jab can cause a high temperature. We live in London, I'm not sure if its local advice or nationwide.

[Bailey135]

You’ll manage just fine on your own, how fab that you’ve had your partners help for 8 weeks! ❤️ Plus I’m sure your mum will give you a hand if you need it xx

[Rox9797]

We had a good experience with all of our jabs, 8, 12 and 16 weeks - our nurse advised calpol every four hours even if baby doesn’t have a temp because this soothes their pain and reduces any risk of fever! Just beware of loose stools so maybe a few extra nappy changes but you should be fine, most babies do have increased sleep after but plenty of cuddles when you get to your destination and I’m sure it’ll be a positive experience for you - as positive as it can be!