Baby becomes very fussy after vaccination

Baby is 2 months and 1 week old. He just had his 2nd month vaccination last week at the government clinic, and he grew so fussy after. He used to be a happy baby, but now he becomes very insecured. He used to smile after being fed, and easily falls asleep by himself when he's drowsy. Now he cries every time we put him in his cot and cannot fall asleep without the help of a dummy; He has more startle reflex which wakes him up wailing; He cries even after being fed and it doesn't help even when we cuddle him... and it's as if his sucking need becomes stronger and stronger. I wonder if he's haunted by the vaccination experience, or if he has colic, or it's because of teething (which is highly unlikely...) Anyone has this experience before?

Growth spurt and therefore hungry and fussy?


Because vaccinations shouldn't cause baby to be fussy for a week, at least based on my experience with my 9.5 month old. He might be cranky for the rest of the day after the shot and might have a slight temperature the next day or 2 but that's about it.


Startle reflex - do you mean he jerks himself awake with his arms and legs flailing? If you are not already swaddling him, try doing that, it might help settle him and make him feel more secure.

Nicher's baby doesn't like swaddling. I know that from another post.


It actually sounds more like your baby is "waking" up - becoming more alert and less drowsy and more aware of the things around him. Hearing is better, sight is better so they get more stimulated and therefore more eaisly OVER stimulated.


most likely not related to vaccination.

Do you think your bub is going through his second growth spurt, which occurs at 9 weeks, Nicher? My baby certainly did, where she breastfed and breastfed almost every 1.5hrs. I suspected your boy might still be hungry after his feeds and therefore remained unsatisfied and wanted to suckle more hence the dummy. Do you follow the Gina Ford routine? She too mentioned the 9 week growth spurt and how to settle baby. Why not try feeding him as often as you could for the next 2-3 days and see if he is happier?


Going off-track a bit but re. vaccination that we should be aware of: a friend of mine brought her baby to the govt clinic and shortly after the jab, her bub went into (minor) seizure-like symptoms - arms jerking upwards and eyeballs going upwards. Bub did this twice only but nevertheless, my friend got worried and brought her back to the clinic. Believe it or not, the doctor told her slight seizure is one of the "normal" side effects of the jab 'cos their jabs are "old" versions (ie cheaper) with more side effects, whilst the ones offered in private practises are imrpoved versions with little/no side effects. Speaking for my own daughter, she used to have slight fever after jab until we switched to private. My experince only, of course...

Hi mummybee, thanks for your advice. Baby is getting much better now and much contented this week. We cuddled him a lot and he seems less insecured. I obviously missed out the 9 month growth spurt... I did try to nurse him more to satisfy him though. So when will be the next growth spurt?


Regarding the vaccination, that's exactly my concern too. I have been thinking whether to go for govt or private at the very beginning. After his experience at the govt last week, although he didn't have fever or jerky movt, hubby and I would prob switch to private instead.

not sure when the next growth spurt is going to be as my GF book is with my sister now. I do recall the sequence is roughly at 3 wks, 6 wks, 9 wks, 12 wks and thereafter monthly intervals. When I started solids at 5 or 6 mths, there are either no more growth spurts or the "symptoms" are too subtle to notice.


We switched private too to get the assurance of the mind.

my daughter was immunized public before we moved. I thought the public system great, never had seizures and whatnot. there are only two shots not given - prevanar and Hib, which you can get privately.


We never had any problems with the public system, and found it really great.

Babies experience different developmental phases which can somewhat alter behavior. It is normal for babies to increase the amount they cry peaking at around 8 weeks of age then starting to decrease.



It is possible your baby is experiencing a growth spurt and requires more frequent feeds or larger amounts. Try wearing your baby in a sling for comfort and security. Studies show that babies who are soothed when they cry usually become better at comforting themselves.



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