DPT shots tomorrow (need advice asap)

[caellie]

My 2 month old baby is getting his 2nd DPT vaccine shot tomorrow. On his first shot, he did not have a fever because I followed his pedia's advice about adminestering paracetamol. However, he did cry a lot and seemed to be in so much pain about 3 hours after he got injected (even though I already applied hot and cold compress). I was horrified because this is my first baby, and I could not bear seeing him like that. I'm hoping it wouldn't be that way this time around. Does anyone have advice? Any pre-shot/post-shot stuff I ought to do to lighten the pain a bit for my little tyke?

[caellie]

thank you!

We just came from the health center. Cael is sleeping now.
He didn't cry much when they stuck him.
He also got OPV drops today and absolutely hated it! He made angry and funny faces after that, then mubled something inaudible as if he's complaining. He looks pretty mad cause the nurse gave him icky tasting pink drops. =)

[JoyRenee]

You can ask for numbing cream beforehand but you may have to wait a lot longer (maybe up to an hour for it to become effective as it is topical).

Infant Tylenol works. Just call ahead and give them his weight to get the proper dosage.

Personally I'd do both.

[LauraB78]

http://www.babycenter.com/0_acetaminophen-dosage-chart_11886.bc

[smjmekg]

Oh...and be sure to ask your doctor how much to give him, I can't remember how much Elijah was allowed to have at that age.

[LauraB78]

I gave my son tylenol. He was super cranky on shot days, but it's just part of the deal unfortunately, you know? Good luck~!

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I agree w/ smjmekg about the Tylenol.  My ped says not to give infant Motrin until they are 6 months, so I would actually give him some Tylenol right before you go to your appt.  This way, it is already working when he gets his shots.  I do this everytime.

I know it's awful.  I had to go last Wed. to get my 2 year old and 4 year old shots.  It was awful.  My 4 year old got stuck 7 times total but 2 sticks were just 4 year tests they run.  I felt so bad for her.  My 2 year old only had to get stuck twice and she didn't cry for very long.  By the time she figured out it hurt, it was over.  Just wait a few years....Then you can bribe him after the shots.  LOL!  That's what I did.  As soon as we left the doctor's office, I took them to Walgreens and got them whatever they wanted.  I got them a 1/2 gallon of chocolate Blue Bell ice cream, a ball, and oreo cookies.  My 4 year old actually said she liked going to the doctor after that!!  I guess all the treats made all her pain worth it.....Ha ha!  But in all honesty, I know it hurts to see your kids in any pain, even if it's for a good cause.  Sometimes, I think the shots hurt me as much as they do them.  I def prefer for my husband to take them for these, but most times, he can't.  I just remember as a little girl, I was always so much more brave for my dad than my mom.  Of course, this strategy won't help w/ a 2 month old :(  Anyway, def try the Tylenol and keep it up for at least the first day.  Even if it doesn't cause him to run a fever, it will help w/ any pain or discomfort the shot causes.

Good luck :)  I know shots are no fun.....

[smjmekg]

I was told to give my son a bit of infant tylenol. I don't know if it helped or not, he didn't cry for long. He did get a fever, and the tylenol helped with that, but as for pain it only seemed like the injection hurt.