This is the day I have been dreading for weeks; the day Pax is scheduled to get his two month immunizations. I haven't been able to sleep the past couple of nights trying to decide how to best comfort my baby from the pain he was going to endure. Should I hold him facing me so that he could see my face and know that I was there for him? Or should I face him the other way with his back against my chest so he didn't associate my face with pain? Sanjay planned to work from home today as I anticipated Pax would need a lot of cuddling and I would probably need a break from holding him all day. My mom was even nice enough to take the day off to come with us. I imagined we would not be able to put him down because he would be in so much pain from the three injections he was getting. It is true I overreacted.
Let me first start by telling you that Pax had a wonderful checkup. He is in the 50% for weight and head circumference and 75% for height. He weighed in at 11 lbs. 12 oz. He is sleeping 10 hours through the night then wakes up for a feeding (usually 6 oz.), and then back to bed. We put him to bed around 7:30pm - 8:30 pm and he has been sleeping until 5:30am - 6:30am, then eats and goes back to bed for another four hours. The morning nap is so consistent; it is always five hours from the time he first wakes up for the first feeding in the morning to when he wakes up for the day (10:30am - 11:30am). He actually loves to eat. Uncle Bill nicknamed him Pack-Man and the name suites him well as he loves to pack in the food. He is averaging about 28-32 ounces a day.
After his check up it was time for the dreaded injections. It turns out that I wasn't able to hold him at all. They laid him on the table, my mom and I were talking and playing with him as the nurse (as carefully as she could) poked him with one needle in his right thigh. WAAAAAAA! Pax screamed. I was torn between overseeing what the nurse was doing and looking into Pax's eyes to try to comfort him. Then the next shot in the same thigh. Then just as he stopped crying BAM, the next shot in the other leg. This all really happened very quickly, and he really only cried about two-three minutes, but it was the absolute worst feeling in the world seeing your baby in pain....even though you know it is to protect them in the future. I quickly scooped him up form the table, with tears running down my face, telling him it's okay mommy's here. He quited down right away. I fed him moments later and he has been fine the rest of the day. In fact, I cried more than he did. He has just been a little tired but not cranky. I am so glad this is over with and feel a little silly for being so scared.
Let me first start by telling you that Pax had a wonderful checkup. He is in the 50% for weight and head circumference and 75% for height. He weighed in at 11 lbs. 12 oz. He is sleeping 10 hours through the night then wakes up for a feeding (usually 6 oz.), and then back to bed. We put him to bed around 7:30pm - 8:30 pm and he has been sleeping until 5:30am - 6:30am, then eats and goes back to bed for another four hours. The morning nap is so consistent; it is always five hours from the time he first wakes up for the first feeding in the morning to when he wakes up for the day (10:30am - 11:30am). He actually loves to eat. Uncle Bill nicknamed him Pack-Man and the name suites him well as he loves to pack in the food. He is averaging about 28-32 ounces a day.
After his check up it was time for the dreaded injections. It turns out that I wasn't able to hold him at all. They laid him on the table, my mom and I were talking and playing with him as the nurse (as carefully as she could) poked him with one needle in his right thigh. WAAAAAAA! Pax screamed. I was torn between overseeing what the nurse was doing and looking into Pax's eyes to try to comfort him. Then the next shot in the same thigh. Then just as he stopped crying BAM, the next shot in the other leg. This all really happened very quickly, and he really only cried about two-three minutes, but it was the absolute worst feeling in the world seeing your baby in pain....even though you know it is to protect them in the future. I quickly scooped him up form the table, with tears running down my face, telling him it's okay mommy's here. He quited down right away. I fed him moments later and he has been fine the rest of the day. In fact, I cried more than he did. He has just been a little tired but not cranky. I am so glad this is over with and feel a little silly for being so scared.
4 comments:
What a great mommy you are!
- Daddy
This post brought back so many memories!! I'll never forget when Madilyn had her 2 month shots. My mom came with us for "moral support." But she ended crying just as much as I did and we both cried much more than Maddie did!!! :-) It's true.....as parents, we often over react! :-)
Wow, he took it so well. My doctor said that 90% of kids do just as well as Pax. Of course, I get the one who doesn't! I agree with you about it being harder for the mom!
just keep the paci or bottle ready to soothe as soon as the shots go in. you did a great job!!!
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