Illness and Vaccinations
How old will your baby be when he may first fall ill?
The vast majority of mums will experience a baby doing poorly in the first year. This is quite normal, as babies’ immune systems are busy developing in the early months. Your babies’ immune systems actually strengthen by fighting off minor illnesses, so it’s all part of growing up for young babies. A survey reflected this, as most of your babies had their first illness before they reached five months. Many of them were very young indeed when they were first doing poorly. One in five was only a month old, and another 20 per cent were only two months old.
How do I recognize if the baby is feeling unwell?
Catching a cold is very common for small babies. As babies may pick up several infections in their first year, mums soon learn to tell when the baby is coming down with a cold. Signs of a cold to look out for are:
- irritability and restlessness
- stuffy, runny nose
- fever
- cough
- reddened eyes
- sore throat
- loss of appetite
What do immunizations do?
Vaccines work by preparing the body to fight illness. Each immunization contains either a dead or a weakened germ that causes a particular disease.
The body practices fighting the disease by making antibodies that recognize specific parts of that germ. This permanent or longstanding response means that if someone is ever exposed to the actual disease, the antibodies are already in place and the body knows how to combat it and the person doesn’t get sick. This is called immunity.
Will my child’s immune system be weaker by relying on a vaccine?
No, the immune system makes antibodies against a germ, like the chickenpox virus, whether it encounters it naturally or is exposed to it through a vaccine. Being vaccinated against one disease does not weaken the immune response to another disease.
Why do vaccines start so early?
The recommended schedule is designed to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they are exposed to life-threatening diseases. Children are immunized early because they are susceptible to diseases at a young age, and the consequences of these diseases can be very serious, and even life-threatening, for infants and young children.
Are vaccines safe?
Yes. Vaccines are very safe.
Millions of children are safely vaccinated each year. The most common side effects are typically very mild, such as pain or swelling at the injection site.
Can vaccines overload my baby’s immune system?
Vaccines do not overload the immune system. Every day, a healthy baby’s immune system successfully fights off millions of germs. Antigens are parts of germs that cause the body’s immune system to go to work.
The antigens in vaccines come from the germs themselves, but the germs are weakened or killed so they cannot cause serious illness. Even if babies receive several vaccinations in one day, vaccines contain only a tiny fraction of the antigens that they encounter every day in their environment. Vaccines provide your child with the antibodies they need to fight off the serious illnesses for which they have been vaccinated.
Will I be told when my baby’s vaccinations are due?
Our doctors will give you a Chart indicating the Vaccination Schedule so you know in which month to bring your baby for a particular vaccination.
Can I refuse my baby’s vaccinations?
As a parent, you can refuse any of your child’s recommended vaccinations.
You should be asked for your consent before each vaccination and, if you refuse, this will be recorded in your child’s medical notes.
Bear in mind that there’s lots of evidence that vaccinations do much more good than harm, and that vaccines will protect your child for many years against a range of serious illnesses.
Can babies with an allergy have vaccinations?
Asthma, eczema, food intolerance and allergies do not prevent your child having any of their vaccinations. If you have any questions, speak to your doctor.
Will the vaccination hurt my baby?
Your baby may cry and be upset for a few minutes, but they’ll usually settle down after a cuddle.
My baby was premature should they wait until they’re older for their routine vaccinations?
Premature babies may be at higher risk of catching infections, so it’s really important that they have their vaccinations on time, i.e. from eight weeks of age, no matter how premature they were.
It may seem very early to give a vaccination to such a tiny baby, but many scientific studies have shown that it’s a good time to give them vaccines. Postponing vaccination until they’re older leaves premature babies vulnerable to diseases.
