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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 6/15/2009 Posts: 250
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We are a non-vaccinating family, with a health approach that differs quite significantly from the medical establishment. When I was pregnant with Connor, we spent the 9 months researching and deliberating our vaccination choices. I spent time in the uni libraries, chatting to doctors, chatting to natural practitioners, and in the end, we came to the firm conclusion that at the very least, we'd delay vaccinating Connor until he was two. When I fell pregnant with Oliver, I'd spent the time in between, still researching (Manic rather) and learning more about health and wellness. By this stage, we'd decided that vaccinating our children went against our health beliefs. In hospital with Connor, we were faced with some rather disbelieving opposition that we wanted to administer Oral Vitamin K, rather than inject it. (The theory being, administering it orally allowed his nervous system to deal with it, rather than "shocking" it with an intramuscular injection) And had to very firmly remind the nurses to stay away with the HepB jabs. With Oliver, thankfully our midwife was as informed on both sides of the argument as we were, so we didn't bother with VitK or HepB. People often ask us how we'd deal with a "vaccine prevented illness" and I generally answer with "the same way I'd deal with any illness - Breastmilk, nutrition, Chiro, homoepathics, naturopathics" I'm actually quite happy for my children to be exposed to childhood illnesses, as I believe that they are an important step in 'priming' the immune system. Also, I FIRMLY believe that the terrain is everything - in that, a healthy body responds much more efficiently to disease than an unhealthy one :) So to ensure that our children are healthy, I breastfeed (a lot), I take them to Chiro,run a chemical free home, I ensure they eat well, play outside lots, and are for the most part stress free and happy. I wouldn't say I have all the answers, but so far it's working for us.  Mummy to Connor (07/07) birthed in hospital - my "Inspiration" baby, and Oliver (02/09) Birthed Peacefully at home in water - my "Best poo ever"
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 6/28/2009
Posts: 57
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With baby #2 I'd like to give oral Vitamin K at birth and delay Hep B till baby is breastfeeding well, however long that is. Considering a 'user friendly' vaccination schedule. After the small amount of research I have done so far I definately understand the approach of delaying or not vaxing children. My hubby definately wouldn't agree with not vaxing our own children however, no matter how much info I was to push in front of his face. This is of particular interest to me: Behind the barricades of skin and mucosa, our innate system (composed of phagocytes, natural killer cells and the 20-protein complement system), which all animals have, is the body's first line of defense. It reacts to invaders lightening fast and indiscriminately, but is not very good at eliminating viruses and cancerous cells. Vertebrates have evolved a second line of defense: The adaptive immune system. It targets specific viruses and bacteria and has better artillery for elliminating cancerous cells. This system matures during childhood, and it has a cellular (Th1) and humoral (Th2) component (Th= helper T cell). The viruses that cause measles, mumps and chickenpox have infected countless generations of humans, akin to a rite of passage for each member of our species. Contracting these diseases strengthens both parts of the adaptive immune system (Th1 and Th2). Mothers who have had measles, mumps and chickenpox transfer antibodies against them to their babies in utero, which protect them during the first year of life from contracting these infections. Vaccinations do not have the same effect on the immune system as naturally acquired diseases do. They stimulate predominantly the Th2 part of this system and not Th1. (Over stimulation of Th2 causes autoimmune diseases) The cellular Th1 side thwarts cancer, and if it does not become fully developed (read stimulated) in childhood, a person can be more prone to have cancer as an adult. ^^^ Thats extracted from 'A User-Friendly Vaccination Schedule' by Donald W Miller, Jr.,MD PS. Baby #1 had vitamin k and Hep B injection. Amanda
Mummy to Sage - 2 years - C-Section Delivery
Planning a Home BIRTH - Due in Autumn 2010!
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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 6/16/2009 Posts: 87 Location: Perth, WA
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When A was born we just had everything done as we hadn't done any research to indicate otherwise. By the time G was born we had done some research but given the time of hte morning she was born and being in hospital we just got it all done again When S was born she had oral Vit K and I probably would have not even done that but hubby was concerned and we agreed to go with that approach. She didn't have Hep B at birth All of our girls are vaccinated according to the schedule. We talked long and hard about some of the vaccinations but ended up having htem done. The biggest one we debated was chicken pox as I would rather they have that naturally but then we discussed future pregnancy and decided it was best to go with vaccination on that too But... we're may more mainstream than you Ki :P Mumma to 3 girls:
AJ (04) - public hospital
GP (07) - private hospital
SB (09) - homebirthed
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Rank: Member  Joined: 6/28/2009 Posts: 25
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All of our kids are vaccinated. The birth Hep C only came out just before Miki was born so she was the only one to get that(We chose not to with Cooper...the midwife said its not important) *JAMI*...Wife to Craig, mum to 5 gorgeous ratbags!! Also a DOULA!!
Shelby(9/98)natural birth centre birth
Tabitha(6/00)Induction(post dates)hospital birth
Brayden(3/02)Induction(Gestational diabetes)hospital birth
Mikaylee(5/04)Induction(Gestational diabetes)hospital birth
Cooper(5/09)Natural Home water birth(Gestational Diabetes AND post dates)
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 6/28/2009
Posts: 57
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With not having Heb B at birth, do you need to play catch ups with that if you are going to follow the schedule, or do you not worry about it and then just get the Heb B thats given at, what is it, 6 weeks? Amanda
Mummy to Sage - 2 years - C-Section Delivery
Planning a Home BIRTH - Due in Autumn 2010!
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 6/15/2009 Posts: 250
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HepB at birth is a double up of the 6 week injections. So by vaccinating at birth, you actually double up if you give them the 6 week jabs as well :-) So, in answer to your question Amanda, no you don't have to compensate. Mummy to Connor (07/07) birthed in hospital - my "Inspiration" baby, and Oliver (02/09) Birthed Peacefully at home in water - my "Best poo ever"
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 6/28/2009
Posts: 57
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Thanks Kiera! Amanda
Mummy to Sage - 2 years - C-Section Delivery
Planning a Home BIRTH - Due in Autumn 2010!
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 6/16/2009 Posts: 87 Location: Perth, WA
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Yeah, I asked about that when Stephi was jabbed at 2 months and was told it wasn't an issue. She just follows the schedule from there Mumma to 3 girls:
AJ (04) - public hospital
GP (07) - private hospital
SB (09) - homebirthed
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 6/28/2009
Posts: 61
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Ki, we don't vaccinate at all either. We follow the approach of optimal wellness vs preventing disease, so we too deal with vaccine preventable illness in the same way we would any other. Quite an odd and even incompetant approach to healthcare according to most of the doctors I had the pleasure of dealing with in hospital recently, but I'm sure I could enrage even the most devout 'mainstream-ers' with tales of how we were treated on that front... Needless to say this Bambino will not be receiving either HepB or VitK at birth. xx Leah - Mumma to T (c-sec) and S (my HBAC!), wife to R. non-vaxxing, cloth nappying, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, baby-wearing, student naturopath.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 6/28/2009
Posts: 77
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We don't vaccinate either...not even the dogs. If I travelled abroad to certain places, I would prob my kids malaria tablets...but thats about it.
I have a found a lot people think we rely on "herd immunity" to protect our kids, but I have to say, we dont actually fear normal childhood diseases...chicken pox, measles etc...life long immunity for most people.
I think as long as parents fully understand the issue, whatever they decide is the best decision for them.
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 6/15/2009 Posts: 250
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lisa wrote:
I think as long as parents fully understand the issue, whatever they decide is the best decision for them.
My sentiments exactly. Mummy to Connor (07/07) birthed in hospital - my "Inspiration" baby, and Oliver (02/09) Birthed Peacefully at home in water - my "Best poo ever"
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