Immunisations

William has now had all of his first 3 immunisations. Little did I know that the 3 immunisation sessions resulted in 7 jabs! Poor thing. Actually, I think I was in more distress than he was! Also, he was given his BCG jabs, so 8 needles!

The first session was when he was 8 weeks old - 2 needles. As soon as the needle went into his fat left thigh, he cried. I actually wanted to cry when he was crying! Then he had another one on his right thigh. After that it took a good few minutes to calm him down. He hadn't cried like that since the day he was born!

The second session was when he was 12 weeks old - also 2 needles. It was less distressing as I now knew he would be fine. He cried a few seconds after the first needle went it, and was just as loud as the first time!

The last session was when he was 17 weeks - 3 needles! This time, he didn't flinch when the first needle went in and out! But he then knew that there would be some pain and cried loudly again for the last 2 needles.

After each session, it takes about 10 minutes to calm him down with lots of cuddles. You'd see us sat in the waiting room with him half undressed and his fat legs exposed while I rocked him before I dressed him again. I always had baby paracetamol ready in case he developed a fever but he was fine each time. Only thing was that after the second jabs, his thighs had a small reaction to the plaster... poor baby has sensitive skin.

His BCG was a small scratch with a needle on his arm... He cried the second the needle touched him and stopped as soon as the needle was removed. It was like a switch, quite amazing! The would was supposed to blister and scar a little, but that didn't happen until we were in Malaysia and suddenly it looked like a little mountain full of pus! The doctor said it looked ok and was supposed to clear the pus for us, but we forgot after discussing his rashes. However later that day it exploded itself and is now healing quite well with a small scab.