Vaccinating your baby (4-6 months)

Help your baby manage pain during their vaccination injections

• Ask the nurse or doctor to inject the most painful vaccine last during vaccine injections.

• Hold your baby during their injection, reassure them, remain calm and breastfeed if possible.

   

Common side effects of vaccinations are:

• fever (that is, a temperature over 38.5°C)
• redness, swelling and tenderness around the area where the needle went in
• babies may be unsettled or sleepy
• sometimes, a small, hard lump (nodule) at the injection site may persist for some weeks or months. This should not be of concern and requires no treatment.

If your baby has side effects after their vaccination, you can try the following:

• give extra fluids to drink
• do not overdress your baby if they are hot
• put a cold wet cloth on the injection site to ease discomfort
• if your baby has a fever or pain at the injection site, paracetamol can be given. Check the label for the right amount or speak with your pharmacist.