Well it’s about damn time.
I finally found a pediatrician that I like & that did not supply me with the words “please google” at Monkey’s two month old appointment!
This is good news, people!
I’ll admit it, I was worried about experiencing the whole two month shot thing, but I was way more worried about this new pediatrician since we “fired” the first one for telling us to google torticollis. (It’s so funny because no matter who I tell that story to, no one can believe it.)
Monkey & I arrived at the office and there is a separate room for 9 month old babies and younger, which I like. I feel like once Monkey is older I won’t care as much about germs as I do now. I’m a bit fanatical about it at the moment, as most first-time moms are I suppose.
I filled out the paperwork & sat us down in the separate room. There was a lady with a four month old and another lady with a five week old. The lady with the five week old was asking if it gets better. I giggled & told her that even though I’m only about four weeks ahead of her, it gets SO much better. Those first weeks are really rough… for everyone, not just me.
The nurse called us back and we went into an exam room. A cute exam room with letters from kiddos to the doctor and animals on the wall. Oh and I did not see any trash cans overflowing with garbage either. What a plus!
So I undressed Monkey and the nurse (really nice, by the way) measured his length and then we went to weigh him on the scale. My little boy is growing so much; here are his stats:
Weight: 12lbs 4 oz (50-75%)
Height/Length: 24.5 (95%)
Head Circumference: 15 3/4 (50%)
The pediatrician came in and I immediately liked him. Yes, I said him. I wanted a female, but there was not a female available until the middle of October at this practice, so I opted for the male pediatrician. Anyways, he looked nice. Like a big teddy bear almost.
He looked at Monkey & was wonderful with my questions. He laughed when I told him about the first pediatrician & her famous “just google” words. Most importantly, he made me feel super comfortable & did not rush me and Monkey out of there. He took his time with us, which is very important. I hate waiting in the waiting room for a long time, but it’s worth it if the pediatrician spends time with you to make you feel like you know what the hell you are doing with your baby. It’s a good thing.
I told him about my mom constantly talking about rice cereal & he asked me if I’d fed Monkey any yet. I told him that I hadn’t & he said good. He said that he waits until the baby is at least 14 pounds, but that there is no rush.
I told him that I was sort of nervous about this whole H1N1 (swine) flu. I know that it’s all from the media, but being a first-time mom I just want Monkey to be healthy & not get sick. He recommended that Tarzan & I get the H1N1 vaccine when it comes out next month. (I’m not completely sure how I feel about that just yet.)
He also said that there is no reason why Monkey should be around other kids right now; he’s just too young. He said that H1N1 (swine) flu is multiplying quickly… just yesterday he saw 35 kids with swine flu. Thirty-five!
He also confirmed that Monkey does have torticollis & he told me to continue with the physical therapy for him & that it should get better in a couple of months. He also gave me handouts & showed me how to do neck exercises. Wow, a pediatrician that actually shows me what to do. A-ma-zing.
Next the nurse came in & administered the rotavirus shot in Monkey’s mouth. He actually liked the taste of this, so I was thinking that the rest would be smooth sailing. Oh no, I was wrong.
The nurse told me to sing to him, talk to him, or do whatever I could to really distract him. It worked for a little bit… until the nurse pricked him with the first shot. And he screamed. Then the next shot. More screaming. Then the final shot & more screaming, complete with a bright red face that I thought would explode.
In the (almost) nine weeks Monkey has been alive, I’ve NEVER, and I repeat, never, heard him scream like that. It broke my heart, but I did not cry. I quickly picked him up in my arms and loved him & the crying stopped. We left the pediatrician’s office complete with three tasmanian devil Band-Aids on each of his thighs.
The pediatrician told me to give him Infant’s Tylenol every four hours while he was awake for a 24- hour period.
Monkey is sound asleep & it’s about 9:30pm right now. He was not fussy at all today, ate the usual amount, & didn’t sleep more than normal. In fact, his day & behavior was extremely normal for him. He doesn’t have any kind of rash, so there’s no reaction to the shots. All in all, the pediatrician appointment and the two month old vaccinations were a success.
You might also want to read:
- Monkey’s 4 month doctor appointment & first attempt at rice cereal
- First Pediatrician appointment: Questions I asked our Pediatrician and Monkey’s progress
- Two Month Old Schedule: Three days in the life of little Monkey
- Monkey, a bump, a trip to the pediatrician’s office, & lots of worries
- Is there a 12 month old sleep regression? Is Monkey just teething? What the &*#* is going on?!
= a post from Mommy Jane 
= a post from Daddy Tarzan
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I really, really hope you ignored the Tylenol advice. Just more proof to me that dr’s don’t keep up with the research.
So glad that you found a good doctor for Monkey. It sounds like this group is down to earth and there for parents and especially the kids. Never heard of the 14 pound for feeding thing. We waited as long as we could and with my youngest that was quite some time. The longer you wait, the less fuss, mess and all that goes along with it. We always do Tylenol and/or Motrin with the boys 24-72 hours after vaccines since my guys often spike fevers.
I am not sure what we are going to do about the H1N1 vaccine either. Hubby has to have it because of where he works (state law). The boys and I are up in the air. I am more likely to do it with my little guy since he has had 3 febrile seizures in the last 15 or so months. With our oldest in school, germs are a constant battle. Three of us have had our regular flu shot already, and the last is waiting for the under 3 years version to arrive. Good luck making your decision.
I didn’t have to give Baby Cute baby tylonol after his first shots, but he’s pretty good with them.. (sure came in handy now, though, since he’s sick!). And I think he got 1 extra shot because my hubby & I had them give him different versions than normal, due to not wanting any that’d been made from fetal cells. But he can scream when he wants!
Also, I can’t believe how big your little monkey is! Wow, at just 9 wks! Our baby just went to the Dr.s and was 12 lbs 4.9 oz! And he’s about a month older than yours! Of course, Baby Cute did starve for his first 6-ish wks of life & has had some catching up to do, heh.
Glad to hear things are going well!
I’ve read that you shouldn’t give babies Tylenol after shots unless they get a fever. It can mask a more serious reaction until it’s too late.
Also, I breastfeed peanut while she’s getting her shots and it helps her a lot. I know you’re not breastfeeding anymore, but you could try giving him a bottle or even just a binkie during the shots and see if it helps.
Congrats in the new Doc!!!! Glad your happy with this one!!!
Shots are the hardest to go through! We don’t give Tylenol after shots and our kids have always been just fine with them. I don’t like giving Tylenol as a preventative measure, for sure. Glad your monkey did well with his shots!
Yay! Congrats to both you and Monkey! I can’t imagine what it feels like to stand by while your little one is pricked and prodded and screams his head off. You are a good mama!
Glad you found a better doctor, but I wouldn’t give the tylenol unless he’s extra fussy or you think he needs it!
Sounds like the appt went well. My little one didn’t handle her shots so well. She cried for half a day and zonked out the rest. She also ran a slight fever. Don’t worry about what people said about baby tylenol. It’s harmless. We gave it to our little one for 24 hours and she was fine. Listen to your pediatrician (of course if you trust them, if not find a new one). Don’t listen to those without a medical background. They are just trying to make you feel guilty for no reason. Boo them. Let Mom’s make decisions that are best for them and their children, not you and your own agenda/beliefs.
About H1N1, it’s not much different than the flu shot. Every year the flu shot is a different strain. So it’s pretty much the same. We are going to get the flu and H1N1, since our little one won’t be 6 months until December. But it’s completely your decision.
I’m so thankful that we loved our doctor from the moment we met her. I’m sorry you had so many issues! I remember those first shots, and I think I cried more than Lil L did!
Glad you’re doing well!!!
I’m a pediatric nurse and my baby is getting his 2 month shots today – and I WILL be giving him a prophylactic dose of Tylenol beforehand. Tylenol should not ‘mask’ a reaction as it has no antihistamine OR anti-inflammatory properties. It will, however, prevent a mild fever from forming – which is sort of the goal. Plus, I’m pro pain reflief for infants! While one shouldn’t give meds just for the heck of it, there’s nothing wrong with giving Tylenol before and after shots.
Tylenol is *not* harmless & anyone who thinks it is isn’t keeping up with the research. If you really feel you must give something, give ibuprofen *not* acetaminophen. “Researchers at ARI report: “Acetaminophen use after MMR vaccinations was associated with a six-fold increase in the the likelihood of autistic disorder.” Those who received ibuprofen (Advil) did not have an increased rate of autism.” Tylenol depletes glutathione.
Jane, I’m glad you found a ped you like. I’m sure you know this but everyone needs to remember that while doctors can advise us, they are not gods, they do make mistakes & ultimately we are responsible for researching & making our own decisions. They aren’t the ones who have to live with the consequences if their advice is wrong.
Deva: Two month olds aren’t getting the MMR vaccine. They get the MMR between 12-15 months. So that study is completely irrelevant. Also the study states given after the MMR, but not before. Your research isn’t relative to this topic, plus the link of vaccines and autism is inconclusive and unfounded.
Great, a good doctor makes all the difference in leaving you feeling like you know what to do.
Regarding the first 6 weeks, I was out with a few moms last night and you know they all agreed the first 6 weeks are hell, hell they said. Their word, not mine. That did not make me sad or scared for when I experience those weeks with my own baby, it make me happy that women are feeling like it is okay to be honest about that time so that everyone knows IT IS HARD and nobody has to feel inadequate.
I know you dealt with more than just it was hard and you were tired, but still, that whole everyone has it together things is apparently total BS.
Hi Jane. Yes I am still alive
My mother is a part of the CDC here and she is very cautious of the H1N1 vaccine. She really doesn’t want anyone in my family to take it. (Shes an OB/GYN) She dodn’t want me to get it at all even though I am in a rather high risk caegory. Asthma, healthcare worker, my age, and I have a semi compromised immune system due to steroids.
Of course all this is meaningless now as I have the swine flu at the moment! Obviously it would be different in your Monkey but it really isn’t all that terrible. I wrote a detailed post over on my blog, yes I finally started a blog, head over there if your curious.
My mom is actually happy I got it now since it’s mild and I’ll have an immunity to it now. I’m getting more bloodwork on Friday just to check my blood cell count as I’ve been since for almost 3 weeks. This is not the usual either, it’s probably because I have a weakened immune system because of all the steroids for my back.
I don’t vaccinate my son as of yet. So thankfully I don’t have to go through the shots at a young age. I will say , not saying don’t vaccinate your son, that you should look into vaccines a little more. Any oral vaccine has a live virus in it and thus your baby is at a higher risk of getting that virus than if the baby were to have not been vaccinated.