How long do vaccine side effects last in babies?

We kept blaming the vaccines

After Ari’s vaccines, she was unsettled and later started bringing milk back after feeds. We wanted a neat answer for when the side effects would stop.

Most common reactions are mild and short: irritability, sleepiness, less appetite, a temperature or soreness where the injection went in.

There is a point where it needs its own explanation

Vomiting after every feed for days should not be dismissed simply because a vaccine happened recently. If your baby cannot keep feeds down, has fewer wet nappies, seems very sleepy or is not recovering, ask your baby’s doctor or nurse.

After the oral rotavirus vaccine, mild loose nappies can happen. Repeated vomiting, a swollen painful tummy, severe episodes of crying or blood in the poo needs urgent advice.

Make the next day easier

We learned to keep the following day quiet when possible and offer smaller feeds more often if Ari’s appetite was off.

Ask about pain relief, the correct product and the dose for your baby’s age and weight before the evening gets difficult. Premature babies are usually vaccinated by actual age, but confirm the schedule with your baby’s doctor or nurse.