What happens after a baby's first injection?

The most common side effects of any injection are at the site where the injection was given. These include:

• redness

• swelling

• tenderness

• fever

These symptoms usually remain for a couple of days and there's no need to do anything about them. Sometimes the child may develop a fever.

It's normal for the baby to be upset for up to 48 hours after having the injection. So you must comfort your baby by cuddling them, breastfeeding them, etc. If the injection site is red, swollen, or tender, putting a clean cold cloth on the area for about 5 to 10 minutes may help to soothe your baby.

Things to do on the day of injection

• Inform the doctor or nurse of the hospital or clinic if someone else is taking your child for vaccinations or give the person a letter with your contact details

• Dress the baby in clothes that are easy to remove as babies generally have injections in the thigh

• Try to stay calm during the vaccination, it's natural to worry about the baby but it might make your child anxious and restless

• Hold your baby on your knee during the injection and if you're worried about seeing injections you could ask a nurse or another member of staff to hold them for you

• After the injection hold the baby with care so that they are not hurt in the injection area

Things to not do on the day of injection

• Don't rush to get to your appointment, give yourself plenty of time as it can help you avoid feeling stressed and anxious

• Don't be worried about speaking to the nurse or doctor as they can answer any questions you have about vaccination

• Don't massage the area where the injection is provided 

• Don't let the baby cry for long 

• Baby might have a minor fever, so stay calm 

How to treat a high temperature after vaccination?

If your baby develops a high temperature:

• Make sure that they're not wearing too many layers of clothes or blankets

• Feed them plenty of milk from time to time 

• Give them liquid paracetamol for children to bring their temperature down

If the side effects don't go away in 2-3 days, consult a doctor at the earliest and follow the instructions. 

In some rare cases, the baby might have a serious allergic reaction to a vaccination. If this does happen, it usually appears within minutes.

The person who vaccinates the baby will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately. With prompt treatment, your baby will make a good recovery.