Necessary Vaccinations for New Born Child, Health Care tips

Last Updated on March 29th, 2020

When a baby is born, us parents do everything possible to ensure that they are healthy and safe. One of such things are vaccinations for new born. The immune system of a newly born baby is not completely developed and is hence weaker in comparison to adults or grown ups. Therefore, to ensure that our baby is safe from various diseases, there are a couple of vaccines that must be given to them. Here is a list of all the vaccines and a guide on when to give them along with various other newborn care tips.

Why should new born babies be vaccinated?

New Born are having weak immunity and hence very much prone to ailments and other infections. Also body takes time to adjust in the new world outside the womb. To give the body time to create the necessary antibodies, we need to support it from the outside world. Before taking an insight to the various vaccinations for new born, it remains important to understand why the new born babies till they are of a certain age must be immunized.

Hence, a few of the reasons are:

• Vaccinations help to increase or strengthen the immune system of the baby:
  Since the immune system of a newly born baby is not completely developed, vaccinations help to prevent them against getting various infections and diseases. This happens since the body of the baby starts to produce natural defenses to fight the infections.

• It helps to protect the infections and diseases from spreading:
  Children who are not vaccinated carry the tendency of spreading infections and diseases to other children and people who have weak immune systems.

• Vaccines are effective and safe for the children:
  The main concerns amongst many parents are if the vaccines have any long lasting side effect on the baby. The vaccines are carefully made and reviewed by various healthcare professionals, doctors and scientists before giving to the children. However, there could be minor side effects such as swelling or redness on the area of the shot etc.

What are some Vaccinations for new born?

The work of vaccinations as a part of newborn care tips is to prevent the body of the children from getting infected by the disease they are vaccine for. This occurs because vaccine works by imitating the disease which forces the immune system of the baby to develop antibodies for fighting these. This in turn prevents them from getting affected by the same disease in the future.

The vaccines to ensure a healthy newborn are given in different doses and stages over a span of two years. Multiple types of vaccination for new born are there according to the necessary requirement and need. Some of them are necessary to be given at a particular time and some are required to be given in the given number of doses to prevent certain type of health problem in future.

Some of the vaccines that must be given to the new born are:

• HepA:  The vaccine HepA is given to the babies to protect them against Hepatitis A. Two shots of this vaccine are given to the baby between the age of 1 and 2 years.
  

• HepB:  The HepB vaccine helps to protect the baby against Hepatitis B which is a virus that damages the liver. This virus can also lead to liver cancer. This vaccine shot is given in three slots from when the child is two months old.
  

• DTaP:
  

  This vaccine prevents against three diseases namely, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis. The disease Diphtheria causes serious breathing problems in babies and can lead to heart failure and paralysis.
  Tetanus also referred to as ‘Lockjaw’ stiffs or tightens the jaws of the baby causing difficulty in swallowing or opening the jaws. Pertussis also referred to as ‘Whopping Cough’ can be very serious in babies. It can cause brain damage, pneumonia and can even lead to death of the baby. The DTaP vaccine is shot to the babies in five slots in the period between their childhood and infancy.

• Hib: The Hib vaccine helps to protect the baby against the disease Haemophilus influenzae type B. This is a dangerous disease that can cause bacterial meningitis which is an infection of the spinal cord and the brain. It makes breathing difficult since it swells up the throat and can also lead to deafness. Three to four shots of this vaccine is given to a baby.
  

• PCV:  The PCV vaccine is used to protect the baby against Pneumococcal disease. This disease if infects a baby can cause pneumonia, damage the brain, lead to meningitis, and infections in the blood, sinus and ears. The PCV vaccine is given in four shots or doses.
  

• IPV or Polio: The Polio vaccine or IPV vaccine prevents a child against one of the most deadly disease, Polio. This vaccine if not given to the baby can lead to permanent paralysis of certain part of the body, specifically leg and/ or arms and can even lead to death of the baby. This vaccine is given in four shots or doses.

What are the side effects of vaccinating a new born?

Although as newborn care tips vaccination helps to ensure a healthy newborn, unlike any other medications, it also has the chance of showing various side effects. The side effects that follows a vaccination are however mild in nature and settles down in a day or two.

To mention, some of the side effects of vaccination are:

1. Abnormal or increased cries.
2. Redness or swelling in the area of the vaccine shot.
3. Pain and tenderness at the area of the shot.
4. Loss of appetite.
5. Sleepiness or feeling of being unsettled.
6. Drowsiness

There are very rare cases when the vaccinations for new born can show certain severe symptoms. In those rare cases the baby must immediately be taken to the doctor for immediate treatment.

Some of those rare reactions that follow a vaccination are:

1. Anaphylaxis:
   

   Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic reaction that follows vaccinations for new born which is life threatening. It can settle down quickly if immediate treatment is provided else could be extremely fatal for the baby. Some of the symptoms to recognize an anaphylaxis are:

• Shock
• Decrease in the pulse rate
• Rashes or blue skin
• Rapid breathing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in swallowing etc.

2. Febrile seizure:

   The febrile seizure is a convulsion that takes place when the temperature or fever of a baby falls or rises quickly. The exact cause of why this happens is not figured out yet. It does not cause any permanent damage and can be reversed and lasts for a few minutes. If the seizure of the baby exceeds 5 minutes, then it is a must to call the doctor right away. Some of the symptoms that help a person recognize a febrile seizure are:

• Shaking
• Unconsciousness
• Vomiting at the time of convulsion.
• Urination at the time of convulsion.
• Rolling the eyes.

Vaccinations for new born are very important to ensure a healthy newborn. Hence, us parents must consult a doctor to get an idea about all the vaccinations that are important for the health of a new born. However, this just does not end here. We must also keep a track of any abnormality or signs and symptoms of any side effects and treat the child accordingly.

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Neelanjana Bhattacherya

A freelance writer who enjoys writing about health, travel and tourism, leisure, lifestyle and more. When not typing you would either find me at the gym or enjoying a movie

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