Worried...

[Channelle]

I'm due at Christmas with my first baby. I've already decided not to vax, no question about it, it won't happen. But, I do have two worries.

My first worry is that my in-laws are EXTREMELY pro-vax...has anyone not vaxed and not told their family or in-laws? I kind of just don't want to get in it with them, just let them think I vax and leave it at that...

My second worry is one I'm a bit more worried about then the first...
My cousin (I'm very close to her, like sisters. We see each other at least 3-4 times a week) is due a couple weeks before me, and even though we've discussed this is length, and I've shown her all the info I have, she is set on vaxing her baby. I'm worried her vaxed baby will infect my unvaxed baby...is this a relevant fear? I know when a baby gets a vax, they're usually contagious a while right? So every time her baby gets vaxed should I make sure to keep mine away? For how long?

Thanks! Channelle

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I just wouldn't bring it up with the family. It's not really their business...let them assume whatever they want to assume. If they bring it up you can be honest, but otherwise there's no need for you to do so.

You only have to be worried about the virus shedding if your cousin's baby is getting a vax with a live virus. You may want to look at the vax schedule and see if/when she may be getting one. I'm not even sure which ones contain live viruses, or if any do anymore for that matter!

[carriebft]

I don't discuss my kid's schedule with the family-- I think if you don't initiate the conversation and just nod your head when they say anything it will probably not come to a debate or problem.

Some vaccines can shed in baby's stools. An example is rotavirus. But it is extremely rare and can be avoided by not being the one to change the baby's diapers, extra hygiene after live vaccines (MMR and Varicella don't happen until later so your only worry would be rotavirus until 1 year).

You will spend a lot of time around recently vaccinated kids since, if you think about it, the first year of life, with a reg vaccine schedule, they have like 6 vaccine appointments in the first year of life or even more, so chances area, pretty much every babe you come in contact with will have had a vaccine in the last 4-6 weeks or sooner. kwim?

[Channelle]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

I just wouldn't bring it up with the family. It's not really their business...let them assume whatever they want to assume. If they bring it up you can be honest, but otherwise there's no need for you to do so.

You only have to be worried about the virus shedding if your cousin's baby is getting a vax with a live virus. You may want to look at the vax schedule and see if/when she may be getting one. I'm not even sure which ones contain live viruses, or if any do anymore for that matter!

Thanks!
I'm feeling the same way with his family, I'm not ashamed of not vaxxing, I just really don't want to have to defend myself to them!

Vaccines with live viruses huh? Hm..I'll have to research that...

[melanienader]

I think your second worry is a valid worry, I have a lady that watches my 22 month twins, and I have to be aware if she gets her little girl, about the same age, vaxed. I remember reading in a book about the time frame, but I don't know exactly how long it is to wait. Can't help you there.

On the first issue, if they don't ask, don't say anything...they will probably assume you do. Plus, no matter how convinced you are on your decision, it's easy to feel doubt when someone uses the scare tactics that are out there(if they want to try to convince you)...it's scary if you make the facts point to vaxing...it's all how you use the statistics. If it does come up, you just have to stand firm on the fact that it is your decision, and although you know there are risks on both sides, you are more comfortable making an educated decision not to vax, as the side effects of vaxing are more scary to you.

Hopefully someone has a number on how long to keep them away from one who is newly vaxed...I want to say less than a week, but not 100%

Take care.
Melanie

[Channelle]

Originally Posted by carriebft

You will spend a lot of time around recently vaccinated kids since, if you think about it, the first year of life, with a reg vaccine schedule, they have like 6 vaccine appointments in the first year of life or even more, so chances area, pretty much every babe you come in contact with will have had a vaccine in the last 4-6 weeks or sooner. kwim?

Yeah I know I will, but this particular baby, I just know that my baby will be around like all the time, more than just a chance contact, but a serious almost like sibling kind of together time.
Thanks for the advice!

[carriebft]

Rotateq is the only shedding vaccine in the first year of life and it is only given in 2 doses usually; the worry is not going to be that huge even if you think it is a big deal. (2 and 4 months of age are the dose times)

Also, usually 2 and 4 month old babies don't do a whole lot of interacting.

[Channelle]

Originally Posted by melanienader

I think your second worry is a valid worry, I have a lady that watches my 22 month twins, and I have to be aware if she gets her little girl, about the same age, vaxed. I remember reading in a book about the time frame, but I don't know exactly how long it is to wait. Can't help you there.

On the first issue, if they don't ask, don't say anything...they will probably assume you do. Plus, no matter how convinced you are on your decision, it's easy to feel doubt when someone uses the scare tactics that are out there...it's scary if you make the facts point to vaxing...it's all how you use the statistics. If it does come up, you just have to stand firm on the fact that it is your decision, and although you know there are risks on both sides, you are more comfortable making an educated decision not to vax, as the side effects of vaxing are more scary to you.

Hopefully someone has a number on how long to keep them away from one who is newly vaxed...I want to say less than a week, but not 100%

Take care.
Melanie

Thanks so much, I feel better not feeling like I'm being extremely paranoid, I'll love her little vaxed baby very much, just want to protect my own too!

[Channelle]

Originally Posted by carriebft

Rotateq is the only shedding vaccine in the first year of life and it is only given in 2 doses usually; the worry is not going to be that huge even if you think it is a big deal. (2 and 4 months of age are the dose times)

Great, thanks! Do you know how long to wait after the vaccine is given before it is done shedding?

[carriebft]

Immunocompromised contacts should be advised to avoid contact with stool from the immunised child if possible, particularly after the first vaccine dose for at least 14 days.

http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retri...73309908702317

Note that shedding from rotateq has been shown to be less than the old vaccine (only 8.9% of babies shed after the first dose) and that shedding after later dose(s) was less to nonexistant. more info here:

http://www.expert-reviews.com/doi/ab...0584.7.10.1475

I believe the info is also on the insert-- something like 32 of 322 babies showed shedding after the first dose in the study above.

[Channelle]

That was very helpful, thanks so much!

[kiwiva]

Our families have no idea of DD's vax status. I am sure they just assume she gets all the vaxes. Noone has ever brought it up. My mother would definitely be in the pro-vax camp (she's a nurse, hospital admin, emergency response volunteer) and I don't think it has ever occurred to her that we don't. I have mentioned my opposition to flu shots but beyond that it hasn't come up. At this point I'd have no problem getting into it but when DD was younger I would not have been so inclined.

The only issue may be that since you and your cousin will have babies about the same age, she may bring it up. Oh Suzie got her shots today, bla bla bla and then ask you about how your DC does with them. I'd just practice a very vague answer "it hasn't been a big issue" or something general, "have you tried nursing while they give the shot?" or "has your doctor suggested anything to help?" or "I've read..." something along those lines. No lie there, but not getting into it, if you don't think she would be amenable to the info that you don't vax, yk?

You're not being paranoid. When DD was younger I did have periods of fear of shedding, but then I figured since she'd be around kids all the time who probably had just been vaxed, it wasn't worth the worry.

[ACsMom]

My 3 y/o is completely un-vaxed, and neither of our families know a thing about it. I'm pretty close to my family, too. It's just not something that comes up, really. Everyone assumes we do what everyone else does, and we just...let them assume.

[lovbeingamommy]

Originally Posted by ACsMom

My 3 y/o is completely un-vaxed, and neither of our families know a thing about it. I'm pretty close to my family, too. It's just not something that comes up, really. Everyone assumes we do what everyone else does, and we just...let them assume.

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