It's different when it's your own kid...
During my maternity/newborn rotation, I gave newborns their first vaccines/shots. I've even seen circumcisions and heel sticks*. Some of the babies cried, some didn't. It was no big deal.
But when Tristan got his first shot 3 weeks after birth, I cried. Yesterday he got 3 more shots: 2 on his left thigh and 1 on his right, including the oh-so-painful tetanus shot. It's his first set of many immunizations to come. I left the room while he got his shots; I knew I didn't want to be there. And as soon as he squealed in pain, my heart just sank. It's totally different when it's your own kid.
As it is, Tristan is much more aware of things than he was at birth, including the sensation of pain. For a few hours after he got his shots, he would cry out whenever he moved his legs. It was a very sad time. At least now he's in a better disposition. Although he's been in and out of a low-grade fever since yesterday.
I must say, though, that it was really funny when the doctor jumped back in surprise when Tristan started peeing (the doctor was checking out his pee-hole, testes, and butt). Maybe Tristan knew he was going to get his shots afterwards and was therefore pre-emptively seeking vengeance. ;P
*It's mandatory to test newborns for PKU (phenylketonuria), a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot process phenylalanine, a substance found in many "diet" or "sugar-free" food/drinks. To test for PKU, the baby's heel is stuck with a pin and blood is collected, very similar to when diabetics stick their fingers to test their blood sugar levels.
But when Tristan got his first shot 3 weeks after birth, I cried. Yesterday he got 3 more shots: 2 on his left thigh and 1 on his right, including the oh-so-painful tetanus shot. It's his first set of many immunizations to come. I left the room while he got his shots; I knew I didn't want to be there. And as soon as he squealed in pain, my heart just sank. It's totally different when it's your own kid.
As it is, Tristan is much more aware of things than he was at birth, including the sensation of pain. For a few hours after he got his shots, he would cry out whenever he moved his legs. It was a very sad time. At least now he's in a better disposition. Although he's been in and out of a low-grade fever since yesterday.
I must say, though, that it was really funny when the doctor jumped back in surprise when Tristan started peeing (the doctor was checking out his pee-hole, testes, and butt). Maybe Tristan knew he was going to get his shots afterwards and was therefore pre-emptively seeking vengeance. ;P
*It's mandatory to test newborns for PKU (phenylketonuria), a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot process phenylalanine, a substance found in many "diet" or "sugar-free" food/drinks. To test for PKU, the baby's heel is stuck with a pin and blood is collected, very similar to when diabetics stick their fingers to test their blood sugar levels.