The baby inside the womb is encased in a shield like matter known as the placenta. The woman's womb itself is made specifically to serve as a safe environment for the baby to form and grow. When a woman gives birth, the baby now enters a whole new environment. This time there's no shield to protect him and no specific safe environment.

The baby is yet to grow and develop fully. It is expected that although he is a healthy baby his immune system still needs some boost. The immune system protects the body by warding off invaders such as disease causing bacteria and virus. The baby's immune system still has to master this function and so to keep him safe as well as boost his immune system, the baby has to receive some shots or vaccinations. Some of these vaccinations are briefly discussed below.

1. BCG vaccine. BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin. This vaccine has to be given at the earliest possible time most likely right after birth. This is a vaccine especially made to fight tuberculosis. Children born in areas where there is a high incidence of TB are required to have this vaccine as soon as possible. The vaccine can protect the child from TB for 15 years.

2. Hepatitis B vaccine. This type of vaccine helps protect the child from Hep B virus. This is the type of virus that affects the liver and has no medications to counteract its effects. The first dose of Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given 24 hours after birth or within 7 days. The second and third doses are given within a 4 week interval in between doses. This vaccine reduces the child's chances of becoming infected.

3. DPT or DTap vaccine. This vaccine is given to protect the child from three diseases one of which is diphtheria which is a respiratory disease caused by a bacteria; tetanus, a disease which strikes the nervous system and lastly pertussis commonly known as whooping cough. The three diseases are common in children but can be deadly if left untreated.

4. IPV vaccine. IPV stands for inactivated polio virus. This vaccine protects the child from getting infected with the virus that causes polio, a kind of paralysis wherein the affected limb loses its ability to move as well as lose its muscle tone.

5. MMR. This is another three in one vaccine. The MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella. The three are common childhood illnesses but no matter how common they are if these diseases are left untreated it can lead to something worse. So to keep such a scenario from happening give your child the MMR vaccine.

There are still a lot of vaccines available and all of them are designed to protect your baby from contracting diseases. It may be hard to see your baby cry whenever he gets poke but keep in mind that what you are doing is for your baby's own good. Nothing in this world is more precious than life and health.