My daughter got her 12 month vaccinations on Friday, including the 1st MMR. Starting on Monday, she has been really fussy and just not her usual self. We have tried Infants Tylenol and Motrin and they just don't seem to help much. Anyone know if this could be from the shots or think it may something else? Thanks for the help.

Does she have a fever? If her symptoms are mostly fussiness, you could chalk that up to teething. It could possibly be from the shot, but unless she's having a more pronounced reaction I wouldn't worry.

Generally I've heard a fever will accompany any sort of reaction from the shots, though it is possible that the area is very tender and that could be causing some of her fussiness. It may be hard for her to get comfortable if she is still having muscle pain. If it continues more than a few more days I would contact your pediatrician just to be on the safe side.

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Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

Unless she has a fever then I don't think it's from the shots. It could be other things. Just make sure that she is completely up to date on all her shots before she starts school. Depending on your state the requirements tend to change every three to five years.

Is it just me or is taking your kids in for vaccinations is a very scary experience? I know it's just something you have to do as a parent and that it's for their wellbeing, but it's always a nerve wracking time for me. Once they get the painful shots and settle down then you have to worry about them reacting and trying to distinguish between normal reactions and something else. I took my 5 year old in for his shots and we both ended up on the floor almost passing out. Not a typical reaction, but I started feeling queasy when he turned white (including his lips) and I was so worried about him I started to panic slightly. We are both okay, but it was a scary experience.

Personally, I never had the whole trepedation thing about the shots. Beofre my son went, I would give him one dose of tylenol and then he would get the shots. We never had any troubles - no fussiness, no irritability or anything. I really believe it was the preemptive tylenol and more likely, my calmness about it. (Yes I know there are some that get real reactions and I am not negating this, however I think much of a babies reactions are due to picking up on the mother's worries)

Vaccination time can be a scary time for both baby/child and mother. I think the classic mother's protection comes into play - we don't want anyone sticking our baby!! Even though we intellectually know its for the best.

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Umbilical Cord Blood Storage | Breastfeeding Advice and Information

Actually I was very calm in response to Amy. We were very positive about going for the shots because the next step would be kindergarten and he's very excited about that. I was very composed until I saw his ghostly face. I think it was the pain or the needle that did it for him. My husband has the same responses and so I think some of that was inherited.

Thanks for the advice. Not sure what it was but the fussiness seems to be gone. Now she's just back to waking up and night and wanting held and she's learning how to throw fits. It's such a joy!