Well baby care

• Find a health care provider for your baby.
• Take your baby for regular checkups, even if he’s not sick.
• Keep baby healthy by making sure she gets her vaccinations.

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Watching your baby get vaccinations (also called immunizations) can be more painful for you than for her! Don’t worry. She may be uncomfortable for a minute, but these shots help protect her from serious childhood diseases and keep her healthy.

All children should be vaccinated for their own health and so they don’t spread infections to others.

What vaccinations does your baby need?
In the first 2 years of life, your baby gets several vaccines to protect her. This schedule shows each vaccine your baby gets up to 6 years. It also shows how many doses she gets of each vaccine and when she gets them.

This schedule is based on the vaccination schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has done lots of research to make sure vaccination schedules are healthy and safe for children.

2011 measles outbreak
The largest measles outbreak in 15 years has hit the United States. Most people who have recently gotten the measles haven’t been vaccinated. They caught the measles in Europe (which is in the middle of a major epidemic), and brought the disease back to this country.

Babies usually get their first measles vaccine (called MMR) at 12 to 15 months. If you’re traveling out of the country with your baby and she’s 6 to 11 months old, the CDC recommends that she get her first MMR vaccine before traveling. If you’re traveling out of the country with your baby and she is 12 to 15 months old, she needs two shots before traveling. These two shots should be given 28 days apart.

Are there risks or side effects to vaccinations?
Most babies don’t have side effects from vaccines. If they do, they usually aren't serious.

Some vaccines may cause low fever, a rash or soreness at the spot where the shot was given. Although your baby may seem like he’s getting sick after a vaccination, these reactions are good signs that his immune system is working and learning to fight off infections.

In rare cases, a baby may have a serious allergic reaction to a vaccine. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include:

• Breathing problems and wheezing
• Swelling of the throat
• Being hoarse
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Hives
• Paleness Call your baby’s health care provider right away if she has any of these reactions.

If you have any questions about the risks of vaccinations, ask your baby’s health care provider for more information.

Do vaccinations cause autism?
No. Vaccinations do not cause autism. Many studies have shown no association between vaccines and developing autism.

Some people are concerned that thimerosal, a chemical that has mercury in it and is used in some vaccines, causes autism. This concern came from a study done many years ago. The research in that study was flawed.

Since then, much careful research shows that thimerosal in vaccines did not cause autism. Thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines, except in tiny amounts in some flu shots. You can get a thimerosal-free flu vaccine if you want. Talk to your provider if you’re concerned about thimerosal in vaccines.

Why does your baby get the same vaccine more than once?
All childhood vaccines are given in two or more doses. Your baby needs more than one dose because each one builds up her immunity. Immunity is her body’s protection from disease. A second or third dose is needed to fully protect her. These doses work best if they’re spread out over time.

Can getting more than one shot at a time harm your baby?
During a well-baby visit, your baby may get more than one shot at a time. You may worry that too many shots at once may be too much for your baby. Your baby is stronger than you think! Your baby, even as a newborn, can handle many shots at once.

See also: Vaccination schedule (PDF, 37k)

More information
Parent’s Guide to Childhood Immunizations
Why Does My Child Need to be Immunized 
Immunization Initiatives at American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Vaccine Education Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia