Seeking like Minded Moms in Portland

Hey W.,
Yes, go with your gut. don't vaccinate him. I didn't give my son any of the vaccines. I think that if I had he would have had real problems. I also wanted to add that I have had no problem getting him into daycare or school, there are waivers that you sign, the schools won't tell you about them until you ask. If they say they don't have them you can get them from the department of health. There are both personal waivers and religious waivers, with the religions ones you don't even have to put in your religion. By law your child has to go to school and they can't keep them out because of no vaccines, it's your child's constitutional right to go to school. If you do some investigation into vaccines and the latest studies done, you will get a chill up and down your spine and when you hear the stories you'll cry. Although moms on this site will disagree totally, stick to your intuition, I'm very glad that I did. Best to you and your family, M.

Congrats on the new baby!
My son just turned 2. Every ounce of me told me not to get his immunizations. My husband and I really debated this. Our Dr talked us into it. Now my child has an appt next month at the autism clinic at ohsu. He has been through evaluations, speech therapy, intervention, ect. His communication levels were rated as a 9 month old when he was 21 months. My children stay at home with their dad, so really, didn't NEED those shots yet. I regret it. There is no saying that that is what is causing my sons problems, but we will never know.
Go with your gut.
However, the larger daycares require these immunizations. Be prepared for that. And of course, the baby will have to have them prior to starting school.
My son is a very sweet boy and does not lack in social skills, so there is hope that he doesn't have it, but is just a bit delayed.
Good luck to you!
J.

You are not alone! My son just turned 3 and we have not allowed any shots (or the eye cream when he was born). He has had 3 different Pediatricians (due to insurance changes) and all 3 have said they were OK with us not doing shots, except for 1. This ONE that they personally believed was critical to any child. Then they would each try to push us to get a different one! What does that tell us?!?! They don't know anything.

And those who try to deny that autism is caused by the MMR shot are in denial themselves. There were no cases of autism before this vaccine. You've probably done the research. My friend had a healthy, happy, active, social 18 mo old boy when she took him to get his shots. The next day he was like a different child, lethargic, slow, cranky, and won't talk. It has been a long road trying to get him back and she may never know him as the child he was supposed to be. I don't think it's worth that risk to allow the government to experiment on my child. Every parent has to choose for themselves. Kudos to you for doing the research and going with your instincts.

If you change your mind or decide to travel to a third world country, you can always get the vaccinations then. But trust that you are not alone. A ton of my friends are not doing this also, it is surprising to find out once you get talking! People will try to scare you into thinking they need shots to go to school. That is a myth, you can sign a waiver. More govt scare tactics to get everyone to comply. Otherwise the experiment is no good!

A good book on the subject is "Shot in the Dark" and there are many more. Here is a good web site too: www.909shot.com

There is nothing wrong with defering some of these vaccinations until your child has built up there immunity with your breast milk, just make sure your vaccinations are up to date so she may get them through you. I deferred my daughter's first immunization for two weeks. I don't know that Autism & ADD or for that matter ADHD are on the rise we are just becoming more educated about it. I believe you should talk to your pediatrition about it. Ask about the normal schedule of vaccines & how far out you can defer them out in order for your child to enter school, all schools now public & private require proof of vaccination. Yes, there are waivers. Remeber vaccines aren't just for your child's health they are for the health of every one around them too. Write down your specific questions about the vaccines that you have a problem with & bring it with you to the doctor's office that way you won't forget. When my daughter gets her vaccinations I generally clear my schedule for the day & try to get a moring appointment so I can observe her for reactions throughout the day. She is generally more tired for the day and needs a nap but, that is about it. Please remember not everyhting on the internet is gospel(true), while doing your research make sure you are getting your information from a qualified reputable site. My daughter is almost six so I speek with some experience. Hope this helps.

Congrats on your new baby! I believe 100% that you should follow your gut instincts as far as vacinations go. If you felt uncomfortable after researching the issue then it is your choice to not vacinate. I have a 2 year old and a 4 week old, neither vacinated and I am glad that I made this decision. The hardest part for me has been dealing with the negative comments from friends and family who feel that I am endangering my children with this decision. I just calmly remind those who question my parenting choices that this is a personal issue for my and it was based on what I felt would ultimately keep my children the safest. Of course their are going to be horror stories either way... not everyone who recieves vacinations gets sick and some children who don't get vacintated do get sick.
Remeber that you will always be able to change your mind and have your child recieve a vacination in the future if you want...
Keep questioning the 'norms' and following your instincts- it's what mothers are SUPPOSED to do!

I'm with you! My 2 and a half year old son and 3 month old daughter have not been vaccinated. I am a physician myself and just saw too much and had too many questions. I would at least recommend an alternate schedule. Dr. Ed Hofmann-Smith at The Natural Childbirth and Family Clinic gives monthly talks to parents on vaccinations and alternate schedules.

It is a really personal decision and one not to take lightly and one that you will have to live with the consequences either way.

Congratulations on your new babe!

Also, I had no problems at a Montessori preschool with not being vaccinated. There is a waiver you sign.

First off, I'm not sure if anyone has said this, but you DO NOT have to be vaccinated to start school. There is always a form that can be signed stating it's against your beliefs. I chose not to vaccinate my son (he's 3.5) and neither of my younger siblings were vaccinated (13 and 18). Both my brother and sister attended public schools and daycare. Schools/daycares will always tell you that you HAVE to be vaccinated, you just have to ask for the right form. Stick with your feelings, they're probably right.

It seems that the vaccines linked to Autism and ADD are mostly from combination drugs and not just single vaccines. I don't agree with all the vaccinations but I would talk to your doctor about the ones that the baby needs now and hold off on the other ones. It seems that with such a precious gift that keeping them healthy is the most important. My kids have had vaccinations with out problems but never combinations. Just do your research.