vaccines....help Please!

You have a lot of research to do, it's not an easy decision. I would highly recommend Dr. Sears' new book on vaccines. http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Lib... There are risks on both sides, and many people feel strongly one way or the other. It comes down to which choice you can live with. You can always choose to delay vaccinations for your child, or choose to only give certain vaccinations. I plan on exposing my child to chicken pox, rather than vaccinating for it. Exposing him will ensure immunity, vaccines are not 100%. My chiropractor told me that in Japan, they do not vaccinate children until 2 years of age, and they have a much lower incidence of side effects.

Good luck in whatever you choose,
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com

1 mom found this helpful

I am a full supporter for vaccinations. These diseases that we vaccinate are still around, especially in third world countries. With the way people can easily travel around the world, Americans are still at risks. As far as chicken pox...why would I want to put my child through the pain, suffering, scaring and risk infection? If I can give my son an influenza shot and prevent him from having 4 days of vomiting, diarreha, fever and pain...I am willing to do that. I have seen pictures of children with measles, mumps, polio. No one can make the decision for you. But personally, I think the risk of not vaccinating is far greater the the risk of the rare side effects from a vaccination.

1 mom found this helpful

First off. This is a VERY personal decision. Do NOT let ANYONE (including me) make it for you. YOU and YOUR HUSBAND need to research, pray, and come to a decision TOGETHER. Make sure to read BOTH sides. And NUETRAL info. It is VERY hard to know what is right but by arming yourself with as much info as you can, you can make the best informed decision. Anyone who PUSHES or BULLYS you into their way of thinking is NOT looking out for your childs best interest. Take everything into account.

Here are some good webistes to check out. I HIGHLY recomend you educate yourself to know what is best for your child....

www.nvic.org
www.909shot.com
www.thinktwice.com
www.healthyhealing.com
www.vacinationnews.com

I have checked EVERY single book on this subject out from the library. We researched for 6 months before deciding that we would NOT vacinate our children. We instead, use a healthy diet (organic fruits and vegetables, well balanced meals, salads almost every day, Nordic Naturals vitamins and fish oils, NO fast food, NO soda pop, etc. as our way of developing our childrens immune systems. This has worked well for us. Our children RARELY get sick. The chiropractor has healed every ear infection they've had. And when they do get sick, it is over in about 24 hours.....

Hi mama! Absolutely get The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears as previously mentioned. Awesome book that will really help with your decision. Very informative without pushing a pro or anti vaccine viewpoint. It helped me a ton and I am so glad that I got it! Good luck!

Check out this link: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/10/ff_waronscience_arg...

There is no scientific evidence that vaccines aren't perfectly safe. Many of the things you hear "online" lack solid evidence, i.e. ability to prove causation. Also check out this book: Autism's False Prophets.

I agree that this is a personal family decision. And it can be scary! Just know that whatever you choose, you do have support either way. Our family decided to do a "delayed schedule" when it came to immunizing. We did not do the timeline typically accepted by the doctors and AAP. We spread them out and at times with the shots that we were more concerned about, we put it off or did it solo instead of combined. That way if our children had a reaction we could pinpoint it. By the time our children were in elementary school, they were caught up.

This is just an example of what our family did and not necessarily something that will work for you or even solves the issue of you considering forgoing shots in all, but good luck with your decision and, by the way, great job Mom for being such an advocate for your kids!!

I second the Dr. Sears book. It was very informative and non biased.
We homeschool so my kids are not fully vaxed. We pick and choose which ones we get. It's your decision as the child's parent! I never though my husband would get on board with the limited vax, he was raised in a very medical savvy household. All it took was him having to sign a waiver for our newborn that said, "...in case of death or other complication...." he was fully on board after that.
As far as having to have the vax for school that is not true. Our pediatrician has us sign an opt out form that is accepted by schools.
Personally, if my kids were in school we would probably have picked a few more vaccines. We eat a lot of immunity building foods and take vitamins that build up their systems.
For me there were way too many "coincidences" of autism after a certain vaccine. I know there is no "known link" but I go by what my own eyes have seen.
Your his mama. You will make the best decision. For your family the best decision might be to vax. Please don't base your decisions on what I say or what pro vax people say. Go with your mommy gut! It's the best!

you're right about one thing: don't allow anyone to make the decision for you. it is you and your child who will have to live with consequences (if any).
i recommend you research which vaccines are absolutely necessary, and then spread those out per your schedule, and then decide which vaccines are a total BS (think chickenpox).
and when you have eliminated the ones you don't want you go tell your pediatrician.
that is what has worked for us.
edit: then when you take your child for vaccines ask for mercury free, don't assume they'll do that just because you asked, ask to see the bottle, read the ingredient then say go ahead.

We are wary of vaccines too, but still mostly support them. Our babies never had a vaccine until AFTER 6mos, then its only one at a time, and spaced at least a month apart. No MMR until after age 3. No chicken pox or Hep A.

I was not comfortable with the chemical cocktail of 4 vaccines in my child at one time. Thats alot of chemicals running through the system of a newborn, 2mo old, 4mo old, etc. Those chemicals ARE harmful, and not necessary at such an early age. The blood/brain barrier is still very much open until age 3, so waiting as long as possible to vaccinate your child, or spacing htem appropriately and only allowing one at a time, greatly reduces your childs chance of injury from vaccines.

Dr SEars books is a GREAT book, you should read it. Good foryou for questioning what is best for your son, this is a biggie, and should be questioned. But like I said, we weren't comfortable with the chemical cocktail that would have been shot into our children. I can't believe its ok'd to shoot a 2mo old with four vaccines at a time. Thats just not right. Please read the book, weigh your pro's and con's, and make hte decision that is right for you. For us, itwas delayed vaccinations, one at a time, spaced at least a month apart, and no MMr until after age 3.

Remember not everything you read on the internet is true.
Whooping cough is making a huge comeback because of moms who dont' want to get the vaccine. Whooping cough kills.
Polio is a live vaccine. THat is true. But what happens if you dont' get him innoculated and he is around a child who has been and gets it at say 5 or 6. THen you have a crippled child. When you get the polio vaccine you are instructed to stay away from the older generations who have no immunity from it. So you are putting your child at risk by not getting it.
Plus schools require vaccines.
We are the most advanced society with the most advanced medical care.
What will you do when your child does contact one of these preventable diseases? You cant' keep them in a bubble forever.

Right there with ya! I started researching the scary world of vaccines while pg and it stressed me out so bad that I was regretting becoming pg. It's terrifying and once you start researching this stuff, you can't go back to being "ignorant" to it all and blindly vaccinating without being paranoid. I looked long and far to find a pediatrician who would respect my wishes as a parent to hold off on vaccinating and then only do the ones I felt were necessary. My child is now 2, she was 1 1/2 when she got her first shot and now she's getting one about every 3 months. Luckily I am able to stay at home with her so she's not exposed to every illness out there, she eats healthy and I give her flaxseed in her milk every day. The child has an awesome immune system and is never sick. I LOVE Dr. Sears book and I also recommend Super Immunity for Kids which will educate you on essential fatty acids and how most children don't get enough in their diets which can lower immune systems and lead to chronic ear aches, behavioral issues, etc. I refer to that book almost as much as the Vaccine Book. Kudos to you for doing your own research and educating yourself. You child is very fortunate to have a proactive mother to take care of him! Best of luck!