Immunizations

I know this tends to be a touchy subject.  Most parents either feel strongly one way or another about immunizing their kids.  However, there are also a large number of parents that are stuck in the middle, this blog is geared towards them.  The norm is to immunize as a baby and then periodically through life.  The number, type, and contents of vaccines has many parents questioning the norm.  Rising numbers in autism is also a huge concern. 

What is worse, giving the immunizations and risking a child's health or not giving them and risking the child's health? Which risk is greater? As a new mother, this the first challenging decision among many and there really is not much help readily available.  As soon as your baby is born they are trying to give him or her a shot for Hepatitis B. If you are not prepared for it, which most new parents are not, you instantly get put on the spot to make a decision.  You are trying to adapt to the overwhelming idea of being a new parent and you already have this weighted decision on your shoulders.  I am not saying one way is right and one way is wrong, but I am saying it is wise to do your homework beforehand and ask questions so that you can feel confident in your decision. 

As I asked around to other new parents, I found that most had the same questions that I had.  This was very comforting and unsettling at the same time.  I don't disagree with immunizations; I think that they are vital for saving lives. I do, however, have questions that were not being answered.  Like, for instance, why is it that science cannot link autism and immunizations, but every story that I have heard from parents with an autistic child can relate it back to the exact time of an immunization? It is all very puzzling.

I watched a PBS documentary called The Vaccine War. Although most people think it favors mainstream, I believe it really gave a fair representation of both sides of the situation. If you are challenging this norm, it is a good video to watch.  Also, it is important to know that there are doctors that see both sides, the documentary did not touch on that.  These doctors in the middle understand the importance of immunizations, but also consider other factors, which makes their recommendations slightly different then mainstream. These doctors are hard to find, but "where there is a will there is a way".  They can give you a fresh perspective on the topic so that you can make the educated decision on your own. 

Bottom line, I know there is a lot to do when preparing for a baby; decorating the nursery, baby showers, doctor appointments every week, etc., but try and do your homework before you deliver if you have questions.  I found the best resource to be other moms, new and old.  If you still don't have your questions answered, find a doctor that is willing to help you get your answer and help you feel confident one way or the other.  Without guidence, the middle is a very unsettling place to be.                  

Mainstream Meets Holistic

When I became a new parent I took on a responsibility greater than any that I have ever come across, and I am no longer just talking cloth diapers and recycling.  With the advice from experienced parents, the wealth of information available on the internet and the guidance from my child's doctor, it is my job to take it all in and decide what I feel is right and then use it for my child's health and well being. This is easier said than done.

I struggled with this up until last week.  What I was finding was that the advice given from my family and friends on raising Luna was of huge value to me. It was tried and true and it made sense.  The internet was hit or miss and sometimes made matters more confusing then they had to be, but it was an option. Her doctor gave solid advice, but there were always some things that left me feeling unsettled. This is never a good place to be as a mom, especially when your child's primary care physician is supposed to help guide you all the way through you through adolescence.

When you are choosing a doctor for your child your options seem endless, but in reality your options are very limited.  Mainstream doctors all seem to have similar views on raising a healthy baby. Their views have helped raise millions of healthy babies so how can I argue? Choosing mainstream is the norm for most parents and it works.

I had been challenging that norm since the beginning of my pregnancy. It seemed like following mainstream was the right direction, but I never felt good about my decision. I was always left with too many unanswered questions.  After much contemplation, I finally decided that I had to make a change. My doctor had told me to buy vitamins for Luna. He wrote down the brand name and told me she should be taking them every day. This brand was the #1 doctor recommended brand.  I read the label, "artificial colors and sweeteners".  Really? There is no part of that that seems right. How could I trust a doctor that thought putting artificial anything in my babies body was okay? Other decisions that he (mainstream) made for her were out of my league, but this I could understand. That was when I started to look for an alternative. 

I needed to find someone that I could trust and that I felt confident was giving me the guidence that I truly felt was right. Making the decision to step away from this norm is like being found alone on a deserted island.  You lose the support of society and that is a very scary place. With help from a friend, I was lucky to find someone who shared my views where mainstream and holistic methods meet in the middle. I have never walked out of a doctor appoinment (even for myself) feeling like "that actually makes sense". I don't disagree with the mainstream medical world at all, it does have its place, but I feel that holistic medicine can play an equally important role in the growth and development of a child (or anyone) and it will with mine. It was also amazing how closely related this doctors views were with the advice that was given to me by my friends and family who were raising children 30+ years ago. We may have lost something in the middle there.  I finally feel 100% confident that I am doing the right thing for my daughter and that is a good feeling.