Mothering Mamas Who Thoughtfully Vaccinate

[prosciencemum]

I've really enjoyed the posts coming up on the "case for vaccination" thread of mothers sharing their thoughts on the lack of a link between anti-vaccination beliefs and other parenting styles which Mothering advocate. Many of us AP parents are proudly (and thoughtfully) vaccinating, and I thought it might be nice to have a thread just to share our experiences, since they're getting a bit buried in the debate on that other thread. 

For the anti-vax mothers out there I respectfully request you not post here, but start another thread on why you choose not to vaccinate after doing your research (which I won't post to). You could even do it on the entire board you have to share your experiences (which I also try to keep out of, although I did recently post a primary source for the statistic for pertussis deaths in infants). I am asking nicely that you let this thread stay as a list of personal stories of why some of us choose to vaccinate after doing our research.

As my signature says I'm a keen Mothering Mama. When I lived in the US I subscribed to the magazine and enjoyed most of the articles. I had both my babies naturally with no pain killers under midwife care (although to be fair that's the norm here in the UK where my second was born) even though both were early labours in which I was recommended to use pitocin to move labour along (after 24 hours for my 34 week preemie first child, and after 60 hours for my just full term 37 weeker). I exclusively breast fed both for 6 months, and extended to around 18 months with both of them self weaning at that point. I used cloth diapers/nappies for both babies, while a working mother which was much easier than it sounds. I also did a lot of baby wearing, and co-sleeping.

 That all might seem off topic, but one of the reasons I did all these things is that I believe they are supported by good scientific evidence that demonstrates they are best for babies. They make sense - newborns need their mamas, and we are designed to give birth naturally etc. Cloth nappies are demonstrably better for the environment, and also just cute! ;) 

 For me this same reasoning (the science, not the cuteness) backs my choice to vaccinate. I believe the research is clear that vaccinations work and prevent, sometimes rare, but sometimes very dangerous diseases. Some of the ingredients sound scary, but once you look at the quantities and the environmental exposure our kids cope just fine with it's clear to me that it's negligible. Obviously vaccine reactions happen, and sometimes are nasty - but I believe the statistics that show they are very rare. I also think it's a responsible thing to do to help herd immunity in my community, and try to wipe out serious diseases. I believe we should continue (and that we are as a community with talented scientists continuing) to research possible dangers/rare side effects of vaccine, but I have yet to see a convincing study of any serious common side effect. 

Anyway at the risk of going on too much that's my opinion on the matter. I'd love to hear from other AP vaccinating mothers about why they choose to vaccinate, or just hear from you that you're there too. I have had periods of avoiding Mothering (forums, and online articles) over some of what I see as an anti-vaccination stance, so I'd also like Mothering to know we're here, and we're thoughtfully vaccinating. :) 

[purslaine]

nm

fwiw, the slew of "nm" on this page are because I thought AdinaL said non-vaxxers should edit out their comments, when really she said we should remove ourselves.   I need to remember: coffee increases reading comprehensions!

Edited by purslaine - 6/12/12 at 9:39am

[Imakcerka]

It's in vaccinations...  How is that so bad? 

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by Imakcerka 

It's in vaccinations...  How is that so bad? 

I agree. This seems like a fine place for this thread - no need to force the vaccinating moms to hide on the selective/delayed board.

[GoGoGirl]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton 


I agree. This seems like a fine place for this thread - no need to force the vaccinating moms to hide on the selective/delayed board.

Right, what about moms who vax on schedule?  Is Kathy saying she doesn't want them to be able to post in the vaccination forums at all?

[nukuspot]

I also think there should be a "vaccinating on schedule" section on MDC.  There is a S/D and an "I'm not vaccinating" (which I always hate the title) so why not a pro-vaccine section for people who come on here to try to help make this difficult decision?  And I say this as a non-vaxxer.  I really think it's only fair to have a place for all sides to be represented, not just one thread that will be lost and buried in a month.

Sorry to post on your thread since you specifically asked non-vaxxers to stay off but in case a mod reads it I wanted to show my support for the idea.

[erigeron]

I too vaccinate for basically the same reasons you listed, prosciencemum. I am a healthcare professional myself and aware of the science behind vaccines.

[purslaine]

nm

Edited by purslaine - 6/12/12 at 9:34am

[purslaine]

nm

Edited by purslaine - 6/12/12 at 9:35am

[Rrrrrachel]

It's one thread,

I love you post, mum, I feel the same way. I was nervous about vaccinating at first, I grew up in a non vaccinating family, but my husband insisted. I read the vaccine book, I talked to the doctor, I did a lot of research . . . And the more research I did the better I felt about the decision to vaccinate.

[KathrynH]

We have vaccinated our 20 month old DS on schedule. Before I had done any research, I assumed that we would likely do selective/delayed vaccinations. However, once I looked at the issues more deeply, I realized vaccinating on-schedule made more sense to me. Initially I was worried about exposure to various ingredients and adverse side effects.

In the end it just became a numbers game. What is the probability of contracting one of the diseases in question? How serious are the risks of contracting one of these diseases? What is the probability of having a serious reaction to the vaccine? Is the exposure to nasty chemicals significantly more than what we are exposed to on a normal basis? How well does the body deal with these chemicals at the levels in question? I felt like I was just rolling the dice either way, but it did seem the numbers were more in my favor if I vaccinated. 

At this point, I'm very glad we vaccinated on schedule. My son did not attend daycare until just before his one year birthday. However, he started getting sick much earlier. He had numerous colds and stomach bugs. By 14 months we were getting tubes (7 ear infections in 8 months).  I am a school teacher, so it might have been due to things I brought home, but I washed my hands religiously and often changed shirts before I held him in the afternoons. He has been sick an alarming number of times in his life. There was a point when we realized he was only healthy 1 or 2 days each month. His weight fell to the 1st percentile and we worked hard to get more weight back on without adding foods that are processed or have added sugars (meaning no Pediasure, Carnation, etc.).  Although he seems to be doing better now, I wonder if he would have caught any more serious illnesses without the vaccinations. 

And for you lactivists out there - yes he is breastfeed. He didn't start solids until 6 1/2 moths and we are still nursing at 20 months with no end in sight. 

I know vaccinating on schedule is not the preferred path for everyone, but it was an informed choice that we did not take lightly.

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

So - can non-vaaxers post a "proud to be non-vaxxing"  thread on the vaxxing forum (not  the "I am not vaxxing" subforum) and ask vaxxers to stay off it? 

I am not trying to start an argumement, but I lack clarity about what should be posted where.  

Honestly, though, it is not a giant deal - if a mod thinks it is ok here, cool.

Non-vaxers shave an entire forums dedicated to their threads so there is no need for them to go elsewhere and post their reasons for why they are who they are. Those moms who vax on schedule don't fit in anywhere perfectly so the general forum seems the most appropriate place for them to hang out.
Honestly, if you don't care & aren't trying to start an argument why bother posting your disagreements, I have found the mods usually do a pretty good job of directing threads to where they belong when they seem to have strayed.

[stik]

ITA with those who have pointed out that those who are proud to be non-vaxxing have an entire forum in which to discuss it, which I, like many other vaccinating posters, generally stay out of.  The rules of that forum prevent me from expressing my POV in most circumstances, so there's no point in me making an effort to participate there.

I delayed vaccination for my older dd, who had limited time in group settings until she was 3.  That was before Wakefield was discredited.  My family has no risk factors that suggest vaccination might cause problems and we have plenty of exposure to group settings in multiple communities that let us bring illnesses home.  My younger dd has asthma, and though she's generally extremely healthy, a number of VPDs could be very dangerous for her.  I couldn't live with myself if she got something and I hadn't done everything I could to prevent it.  We've been vaxed on time and completely including flu since I started teaching full time.  And we've dodged a few flu outbreaks. 

[Taximom5]

I think it needs to be pointed out that those who no longer vax aren't necessarily "proud of it."

Mothers like me started out vaxxing (also without pride) because we believed it was the best thing for our children, thanks to the relentless and expensive propaganda from the companies that profit from vaccines.

We stopped vaxxing only after severe adverse effects made it obvious that vaccines harmed our children, and harmed us as well. Many of us were advised by our children's doctors that our children should no longer be vaccinated.

Many parents choose to delay or forego vaccination because they, too, have seen what happened to our children, and like us, they've researched the heck out of vaccines in order to learn as much as possible. I use the word research to mean looking at studies, learning about the financial conflicts surrounding those who put out information, and weighing the data.  I don't include Hollywood figures like Jenny McCarthy and Amanda Peet as "research."

There are many emotions surrounding my decision, including regret and anger.

But pride isn't one of them.

And I find it offensive that other mothers--on either side-- look at this decision as something that can be linked to "pride."

[Rrrrrachel]

well, this thread has officially jumped the shark.  Nice try, mum.  

[poppylove]

Proudly vaccinate? What a gross way of putting one type of choice against another. Bravo OP for creating a greater divide amongst us. 

[Taximom5]

Originally Posted by poppylove 

Proudly vaccinate? What a gross way of putting one type of choice against another. Bravo OP for creating a greater divide amongst us. 

I had the impression that that was the actual intent of the original post.

[nukuspot]

I also want to say I don't vax but I would never say I'm proud of the decision. I honestly hate the fact that I can't follow health care recommendations, but I honestly feel that at this time the risks of vaccines outweigh the benefits due to safety concerns I have. So I guess I could say I'm a non vaxxer and resigned to the decision. For sure, proud would not be a word I would use. Not attacking the OP here, just wanted to address Stik so she understands that not all non vaxxers are "proud of it."

[MrsGregory]

I don't think it's too late for the thread!  Let's have hope!

I wouldn't say I'm a proud "vaxxer", but I am confident in my decision to have my child vaccinated on schedule. 

Funny - our primary care provider is a family doctor, but not as "crunchy" as other family doctors.  We had the "CIO" and sleeping arrangement discussion (during which I was outed as "one of those Moms", and there was a visible sigh of relief when I offered no resistance to the vaccine schedule.  I think it goes to show how very hand-in-hand certain philosophies and parenting styles are assumed  to go, and more discussion, within and outside the "crunchy" community, can only benefit everyone.

 

[Imakcerka]

Very interesting.  I knew from the beginning that this thread would not go as the OP planned.  But I think we all knew that.