Study: After Lunch May Be the Best Time for Infant Immunization
From the archive. This post was first published on the original Green Eggs and Moms blog and is kept here as it was.
Did you know that when it comes to infant immunization, there is actually a best time to schedule it?
Immunization, especially for first time parents, can be a nightmare. Imagine your little bundle of joy quietly minding her business when she suddenly feels the sting of a needle. She belts out cries of pain, not exactly music to the ears. But it does not end there. Vaccination shots are often accompanied by fever which can make little Ms. Sunshine very uncomfortable.
But, there might just be a way to alleviate the side effects of immunization.
Study
A recent study conducted in the University of California looked at how effective acetaminophen or paracetamol- pain reliever and fever reducer- is in helping 2-month olds sleep after immunization.
Findings
- Paracetamol given during and after immunization did not extend sleeping patterns in babies
- For babies immunized at about 1:30 pm, it was observed that they slept 1.5 hours longer on average than their counterparts who were given the shot earlier than 1:30pm. The latter group only slept for 0.5 hours longer.
Takeaway
While the researchers want to confirm these findings further, it may be wise to schedule infant immunization after lunch, to help your baby sleep through any discomfort.
Also, according to Dr. Jason Homme from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, another study suggested that giving infants paracetamol to counter the effects of vaccine shots may decrease the immune system’s response to the shot. This, together with the recent news from Independent.ie saying that calpol (paracetamol) doses are now being reduced for children due to possible overdosing, may be another reason to hold off on giving your infant medication. Unless, of course, her fever is very high.
Hopefully, this study helps ease your fears a bit when you take your child to the doctor for a shot.
Sources:ModernMedicine.com – Babies sleep better following afternoon vaccines
Independent.ie – Calpol guidelines changed over dosing worries
Photo:
Creative Commons from Daniel Paquet
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