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when to vaccinate twins...  

post #1 of 8
10/9/08 at 2:15pm
Thread Starter 
hi there,
I am a extended BFing, SAHM of 18 month old twin girls. So far we are vaccine free. I know the time is coming where my ped said i have to decide if we are going to start them or not and if we don't they suggested finding someone else. I have to say, the few appointments I have made to get vaccines, I have at the last minute, cancelled because something in my stomach was literally twisting. I feel safer knowing that we are still BFing and I will continue to give then BM until they don't want it. even if they wean, I will just pump. I did it for 5 months when they were first born and when they were in the NICU so, it's old hat by this point. i really beleive in the healing power of nursing and BM. =) I even considered donating once they are done, bc I think it is really amazing! anyway, my question, with twins, have other moms taht have delayed... when you started what did you feel wasmost important and did you do both babies at the same time or one at a time?? and would you stick with taht choice again, or hold off even longer?
Thanks mamas!
MadziesMom
post #2 of 8
10/9/08 at 2:31pm
I am not sure I understand why the twin aspect would change much, except that you would need to decide whether to get the same vaxes or different vaxes at the same time....

DTaP: If they're 18 mos, they don't need pertussis any more, so that's great. I don't think there is a dt approved for children, so if I were you, I would wait on that until they are much older (like, teenagers) before getting the diptheria/tetanus vax. Tetanus is almost never a concern for healthy babies/kids. You can get the immunoglobulin shot if they do have a wound that is a concern

MMR/CP: we do not/will not give CP without a good try at gaining natural immunity first... so she won't have that one until she is 12 or so. MMR, we are waiting *at least* until 4 yo so that she will only need one shot rather than two. I will probably wait longer (like 10, maybe?). I probably will not get the R portion for ethical reasons, maybe not even the mumps portion.

Rota-- you can't get this one any more, anyway, because they're too old.

Hib-- also not a concern so much now that they are bigger. I would skip it, *but* it is probably the least reactive vax.

HepB-- so stupid for babies! You can get this when they are teenagers if you want.

Polio-- I honestly don't have a strong opinion about this one. Some people think it is ineffective, and even if it *is* effective, I question the necessity here in the US. My DD got it before I started questing the vax schedule. I don't know what I'll do with more babies.

Prevnar-- This one has not been a very successful vax. Even if you protect them from the strains in the vax, they can still become sick from other, possibly worse strains. So no, I won't be getting this one again.

Have you read the Sears or Romm books? I think they are both very helpful.
post #3 of 8
10/9/08 at 3:54pm
Just as an aside, don't let your "reputation" or standing with the doc be the basis for your decision to vax or not, ever. Don't do anything to please your twins' doctor - switch if necessary.
post #4 of 8
10/9/08 at 10:37pm
I don't have any answers but I can see how twins pose a few sticky questions... if you vax both at the same time and they both react then you have two possible emergencies on your hands, if you vax them with diff. vax's that shed then they have a chance of shedding on each other so to speak, and if you vax diff. and they get confused at a hospital then there is a chance of medical mix ups... tricky.

I don't have twins but I did delay and still am with my now 4yo. I think if you just take two more months and research your priorities as far as poss. of dis. rate at which vacc claim to work, vaccine reactions etc. and really hunt down the info until you are satisfied you will be glad you spent the time, no matter what you decide.

Also for thinking about pumping to donate... I've been a donor and it is awesome to know you are helping someone elses child get the best nutrition, the way you would want someone to help you out if you needed it.
post #5 of 8
10/9/08 at 11:17pm
do pay attention to those gut feelings

a long time ago we did a thread on gut feelings, especially mother feelings, and they do seem to give useful heads up a lot of the time. I don't know if I could find the thread...
post #6 of 8
10/9/08 at 11:25pm
I found the mommy instinct thread! It got archived:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=573156
post #7 of 8
10/10/08 at 7:05pm
Just a bump so maybe someone with twins can see and share.
post #8 of 8
10/10/08 at 7:09pm
No matter what you decide to do, I would find a new doc, pronto. Why be with someone who would "fire" you for making what you feel are the best decisions for your kids? Find someone who will work with you.
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