January 18, 2009

• Hot topic….

  So I might touch some nerves on this topic, but wanted share with you about an interesting book that I am reading by Dr. Sears called the Vaccine Book.  When I was about where I am at now pregnancy wise with Andrew, Kev and I started talking about vaccinations.  Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind to not vaccinate…..I was vaccinated, Kev was vaccinated…..Andrew would too.  Kev had done some research on vaccines and we talked a bit about his findings.  I was on the fence the whole time……I mean we live in a third world country where many of these diseases still exist.  I did what I do with any major choice, I went before the Lord in prayer and asked for wisdom concerning what we should do about shots.  Kev and I both did the same thing and then came back together a few days later with what we had heard….it was the same.  We decided to wait with any vaccinations for the first year.  We both knew it was risky, but we trusted what we heard from the Lord. 

  Now when I tell people that Andrew’s not been vaccinated because we’re delaying I get all types of reactions.  I’ll admit, most of them have not been very positive.  Most are met with the “Are you insane!?” look and then usually a few comments about how they disagree.  The most recent one was our trip to the Pediatrician in Gaborone in December when he asked, “Is he up to date on all childhood shots?”  Kev and I looked at each other and settled in……we knew we would hear it and boy did we ever!  My favorite is this……”Listen, I’m not gonna go into it, it’s your choice BUT……” and then 20 minutes later we’re still “not going into it”.  I want to just say, “Yes, I know it’s risky but we are fully prepared to take responsibility for the outcome.”  That’s part of being a parent…..you have to make choices for your kids that aren’t so easy and also have to reconginze that some of those choices might come back to bite you.  The thing is….Andrew isn’t mine…..he’s God’s child and I trust that He will give us wisdom and trust that He did give us wisdom to delay vaccines for a bit.  It’s not to say we’re not going to ever, just we’re not going to do them just yet.  Yes the fact that we live in Africa makes this choice a bit more risky, we also know that our journey has been a step of faith the whole way.

  After this most recent rambling of the Pedo though I knew I had to do some research as well.  A friend suggested this book and so I had Serena pick me up a copy to bring with her.  I thought it would be a bit boring as it breaks down all the vaccines into details.  Upon reading the first few pages I knew right away that this was not only a book that was going to be helpful, but one that was in terms that I could understand.  What I love even more is that Sears is not Pro or Con (in fact I would say that he is more pro vaccine which if you are familar with the Sears family and book series you will understand)…..he simply shares the information and then add his two cents at the end of each explination.  He simply wanted to write a book that gave parentes unbiased information about Vaccines.  Any on line research will quickly show either pro or con and can scare the living daylights out of you. I wish I had gotten my hands on this book two years ago as it would have answered lots of questions. 

  So where am I at on it now?   I don’t know?  I am not totally done with the book, but feel I have much more knowledge than I did on the subject before.  I don’t regret one bit our decision to delay vaccinating Andrew, but I will say that I believe it’s now time to start looking at some of these vaccines and considering them now that he’s almost two.  I do think that we might do things a bit different with the new baby, but will probably do a delayed schedule as well.

  I will say this, and many might disagree.  I wasn’t successful at breastfeeding Andrew longer than about 4 weeks.  Most will tell you if you decide not to vaccinate or delay that you should breastfeed as long as you can, as breast milk really builds the immune system.  I gave Andrew what I could from me, but overall he got formula in that first year.  He’s healthy as a horse!  I can count on one hand how many times I have taken him to the doctor  for sickness and he’s been on only two rounds of antibiotics in two years of his life (one I found out was not needed…..mental note, don’t got to Dr. Carey anymore!).  He’s got a super strong immune system like Kev.  In many ways, I also contribute this to the fact that he wasn’t vaccinated.  Sears website does touch on research that has been done on children who aren’t vaccinated or delayed vaccinations and have found that overall they tend to be much healthier than children who are vaccinated.  I find this very interesting not only because of my son, but also friends who have made the same choices and their children are the same……hardly sick.  I’m not sure if there is a correlation or not as it seems everything these days causes something or some reaction. I can also trust the Lord that He’s given Andrew a super immune system……praying that #2 is that way too!!

  I’m sure I’ve lost some of you…….it’s about the only thing right now that I can blog about because of my writers block   So where are you on the subject……do you think I am nutzo?  

  • 2:45 pm
  • 6 Comments