IMMUNISATIONS IN YOUR BABY'S FIRST YEAR
The childhood immunisation programme has all but
wiped out some of the most serious diseases in the world, and every responsible
parent should take it up for their child.
The idea of your baby having a jab or two isn't the happiest thought in the world, but when you consider that it could save her life and the lives of others, it puts things into perspective. The jabs are only momentary and usually cause little or no discomfort, so be reassured: your baby will, in all likelihood, be absolutely fine afterwards.
The idea of your baby having a jab or two isn't the happiest thought in the world, but when you consider that it could save her life and the lives of others, it puts things into perspective. The jabs are only momentary and usually cause little or no discomfort, so be reassured: your baby will, in all likelihood, be absolutely fine afterwards.
Here's a rundown to what happens when and what to expect.
At 2
months:
Your baby will be given a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib, which stands for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children). She'll also have a jab to protect against pneumococcal infection.
At 3 months:
The second dose of the 5-in-1 is given, along with a jab against meningitis C.
Your baby will be given a 5-in-1 single jab known as DTaP/IPV/Hib, which stands for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib, a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia or meningitis in young children). She'll also have a jab to protect against pneumococcal infection.
At 3 months:
The second dose of the 5-in-1 is given, along with a jab against meningitis C.
At
4 months:
The third dose of the 5-in-1 is given, as well as a second dose against pneumococcal infection and a second dose against meningitis C.
Between 12 and 13 months:
The third dose of meningitis C is given, together with a fourth dose against Hib. These are administered in one single jab, known as Hib/MenC. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunisation is also given as a single jab, along with a third dose against penumococcal infection, given as another separate jab.
9-12 WEEKS CHECKLIST
Some time during this period you should receive an appointment for your baby's second round of immunisations including a spearate meningitis C jab. If you haven't been sent a notification, do get in touch with your GP's surgery or baby clinic so you don't miss the boat.
The third dose of the 5-in-1 is given, as well as a second dose against pneumococcal infection and a second dose against meningitis C.
Between 12 and 13 months:
The third dose of meningitis C is given, together with a fourth dose against Hib. These are administered in one single jab, known as Hib/MenC. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunisation is also given as a single jab, along with a third dose against penumococcal infection, given as another separate jab.
9-12 WEEKS CHECKLIST
Some time during this period you should receive an appointment for your baby's second round of immunisations including a spearate meningitis C jab. If you haven't been sent a notification, do get in touch with your GP's surgery or baby clinic so you don't miss the boat.
It's
very important to have all the injections, rather than imagining your baby is
covered by the first lot: she's not. Missing out on immunisations means there's
a danger of the serious childhood diseases returning, and you're not only putting
your own baby at risk, but everyone else's too.
Start giving your baby more time on her tummy when she's awake and out of her cot. You must supervise this time, though, to prevent any possibility of her suffocating. It's important she spends time lying on her front to help her strengthen her neck muscles as she lifts her head.
How this helps:
It will help prevent her from getting a flat spot on the back of her skull. It will also encourage your baby to kick her legs, exercising her large motor muscles.
It's good practice, too, for when she's ready to push herself up and roll over.
Start giving your baby more time on her tummy when she's awake and out of her cot. You must supervise this time, though, to prevent any possibility of her suffocating. It's important she spends time lying on her front to help her strengthen her neck muscles as she lifts her head.
How this helps:
It will help prevent her from getting a flat spot on the back of her skull. It will also encourage your baby to kick her legs, exercising her large motor muscles.
It's good practice, too, for when she's ready to push herself up and roll over.
If
you haven't yet begun reading to your baby, it's not
too soon to start.
How this helps:
She's ready to start getting an ear for language, and if you choose board books with different textures for her to feel, she'll be getting a whole sensory workout each time you share a book.
Babies love repetition. Reading the same book over and over, whilst varying the tone of your voice and using some expressions of surprise and delight, will convey a feeling of excitement to your baby.
You'll be engendering an early love of books in your baby.
How this helps:
She's ready to start getting an ear for language, and if you choose board books with different textures for her to feel, she'll be getting a whole sensory workout each time you share a book.
Babies love repetition. Reading the same book over and over, whilst varying the tone of your voice and using some expressions of surprise and delight, will convey a feeling of excitement to your baby.
You'll be engendering an early love of books in your baby.
SAFE CO-SLEEPING WITH YOUR BABY
A
recent study carried out at Durham University found that around 70% of babies bed share
with one or both parents in the first three months of life.
It's understandable if you want to bring your baby into bed for a night-time feed as long as you don't fall asleep, but the advice from the Department of Health and The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is to sleep your baby in their own cot in your bedroom for the first six months of life.
New research has concluded that it is particularly dangerous to co-sleep with your baby in the first four months, and UNICEF also advises against the practice, saying, "Adult beds are not designed with infant safety in mind. Babies can die if they get trapped or wedged in the bed or if a parent lies on them. So the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot by your bed."
In addition, FSID strongly urges parents to take notice of the following guidelines on bedsharing:
It's especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner)
It's understandable if you want to bring your baby into bed for a night-time feed as long as you don't fall asleep, but the advice from the Department of Health and The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is to sleep your baby in their own cot in your bedroom for the first six months of life.
New research has concluded that it is particularly dangerous to co-sleep with your baby in the first four months, and UNICEF also advises against the practice, saying, "Adult beds are not designed with infant safety in mind. Babies can die if they get trapped or wedged in the bed or if a parent lies on them. So the safest place for a baby to sleep is in a cot by your bed."
In addition, FSID strongly urges parents to take notice of the following guidelines on bedsharing:
It's especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner)
•
are a smoker, even if you never smoke in bed or at home
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired;
Or if your baby:
• was born before 37 weeks
• weighed less than 2.5kg or 5½ lbs at birth.
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired;
Or if your baby:
• was born before 37 weeks
• weighed less than 2.5kg or 5½ lbs at birth.
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