Vaccinations, The Truth will Surprise both Arguments

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the controversial question. Sure, an immunization record makes it easier to enroll your child in school and obtain a social security card, but what is the real fuss about these vaccinations.

Autism

The first most common thing I have heard people say is
"I have heard that vaccination results in autism"

Is it true?
One England researcher says it is possibly true. This researcher observed many kids with autism and noticed they had the measles virus in the lining of their intestines. He concluded that the MMR vaccine may be linked with autism.

Is it false?
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Advisory committee on Immunization Practices and the FDA claim to have never found any conclusive evidence that the MMR vaccine is somehow related with autism. Clearly, this matter needs to be studied more for a solid answer.

Should I vaccinate?
If you are worried about autism, or it runs in your family, I would advise you to consult your doctor and discuss risk factors regarding the MMR immunization.

View this site for more information regarding autism
http://www.whale.to/v/wakefield23.html#MMR_

Mercury

The second most common thing I have heard people say is
"There is too much mercury in baby shots"

Is it true?
This is partially true. Since 2001, the FDA have advised that the amount of mercury babies receive from vaccines during the first two years of life may be too much. Some studies show that too much heavy metal intake may possibly be linked with autism.

Is it false?
Although there are a few shot brands that still contain mercury, you can request mercury-free vaccinations for your child.

Should I Vaccinate?
Mercury is not a big concern anymore since you can request mercury-free immunizations for your baby. Make sure to limit any heavy metal intake.

View this site for more information regarding mercury
http://www.thenhf.com/vaccinations_84.htm

Polio

The third most common thing I have heard people say is
"Me and my child will get paralytic polio from the polio vaccination"

Is it true?
Yes, this is true, with the oral polio vaccine. In the late 1990's doctors realized that the oral polio vaccination caused paralysis in approximately 9 infants in the United States per year. It is also possible to contract polio from the infants stool after they receive the oral polio immunization.

Is it false?
The oral polio vaccination is no longer routinely used in the United States. The injectable polio vaccine does not have the risk factors that the oral polio vaccine does.

Should I vaccinate?
I would not recommend using the oral polio immunization, as for the injectable polio vaccine it's up to you. There is still a big debate about the two and if the injectable polio vaccine even works.

View this site for more information regarding polio
http://www.teachspace.org/personal/research/poliostory/poliotoday.html

Brain Damage

The fourth most common thing I have heard people say is
"My child will get brain damage from immunization"

Is it true?
I would not recommend vaccination with DTP. DTP is suspected of causing brain damage.

Is it false?
There is an alternative called DTaP that does not have the risk factors associated with DTP.

Should I vaccinate?
Although there has been no conclusive evidence suggesting DTP has caused brain damage, seizures or shock, the U.S. still stopped using DTP and switched to DTaP for safety regulations.

View this site for more information on DTaP
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-dtap.pdf

For Your Information

• If you are traveling outside the United States contact the Center for Disease Control Traveler's line 877-FYI-TRIP or visit online at http://www.cdc.gov/travel
• If your child contracts chicken pox, rabies, or measles you can lessen or prevent the illness by vaccinating after your child contracts the disease.
• If you child receives a MMR immunization, two weeks later they may experience rash, fever, swollen glands, joint pain and/or stiffness. Your child is not contagious and these side effects from the MMR shot will go away on their own.
• If your child receives the chicken pox vaccination they may experience flu-like symptoms or come down with a mild form of chicken pox.
• I would not recommend getting the Hep B vaccination in the hospital when your child is born due to the side effects of the Hep B immunization. (Unless the mother is Hep B positive) If you are planning on having your child receive this shot, I would wait until he/she is 1-2 months of age. The side effects include fever, lethargy, and difficulty feeding.
• Some kids do not need boosters, I would ask your child's pediatrician to check their blood immunity level before administering booster shots, some kids still have their immunity from baby shots.
• If you do not like how many vaccines your baby receives at once, talk to your doctor about an alternative schedule for his/her immunizations.
• Keep your child's immune system healthy by breastfeeding and feeding them a nutritious diet.
• Most flu shots contain mercury.
If you would like to see a complete 2009 immunization schedule, please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines

If there is a topic you have questions about, please shoot me a comment.

If you would like an abundant information on vaccines, please buy Dr Sear's book, The Vaccine Book




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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA

The Breast is Best!

Many women do not know why breastfeeding is the right choice for their baby. Breastfeeding is the smartest and easiest thing a mother can do for their child. A mother's milk is uniquely designed for their growing baby, whereas formula is not. As a baby grows, the mother's milk changes to meet the needs of their developing child. In addition, all of the mother's immunities are given to the child, which in turn makes breastfed babies alot less likely to get sick than their formula fed friends. Not only does breast milk make your child healthier, breast milk also makes your child brighter. A study in England observed three hundred premature infants. Both groups were fed by tube, one with formula and one with their mother's milk. The group of premature infants that received their mother's milk during the first five weeks of life scored an average of 8.3 points higher on an IQ test when they reached 8 years of age; the more breast milk the children received in infancy, the IQ scores increased.

Nursing is also beneficial to the mother. A suckling infant stimulates oxytocin which contracts the uterus nearly to its pre-pregnancy size. Oxytocin is also the hormone that stimulates the "mother's intuition." Below is a list that summarizes the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and child.

"The most Important Health Benefits of Breastfeeding"
The Baby Book
Sears & Sears

Breastfed babies enjoy:

• brighter brains
• better vision
• fewer ear infection
• better dental alignment
• healthier hearts
• fewer respiratory infection
• less constipation
• less diabetes
• leaner bodies
• increased immunity
• healthier grown

Breastfed mothers enjoy:

• relaxation
• less depression
• natural child spacing
• less breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer
• faster postpartum weight loss (which is incredibly true, i am currently breastfeeding and i lost my baby fat in less than 6 months

Drugs to use caution with while breastfeeding.

• alochol
• antidepressant
• aspirin
• codeine
• Demerol
• general anesthetics
• indomethacin
• isoniazid
• lithium
• metoclopraimide
• metronidazole
• morphine
• birth control (only use progestin only pills, or the mini-pill)
• paxil
• phenobarbita
• prozac
• valium

Drugs to NEVER take while breastfeeding.

• amphetamines
• anticancer drugs
• cocaine
• cycoloporine
• heroin
• lindaine
• marijuana
• methotrexate
• mysoline
• parlodel
• PCP

Please use caution with sulfa in the newborn period.
Do not take tetracycline for longer than three weeks.
It is safe to breastfeed 6-12 hours after general anesthetics.

For Your Information

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months. and to start solids when the baby either reaches 6 months of age or has doubled their birth weight. Babies need breast milk of formula for the first year of life.

Prenatal nipple preparation is unnecessary.

Infants feed from the breast, not just the nipple, to prevent nipple soreness learn the correct way the baby should latch on. If you are having issues, please consult a lactation consultant or your local le leche league and seek support before giving up.
http://www.llli.org/

Avoid using soap on nipples. Soap will dry the nipples out and make them crack, if cracking occurs, i suggest using pure lanolin, it is completely safe for baby.

Ladies, don't wear under wire bras while breastfeeding. Not only is it completely unpractical to nurse in, they can plug your ducts!!

Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding does not misshape your breasts, pregnancy does!

Most over the counter medication is safe to take during nursing. Even some seizure medications are fine.

For more extensive knowledge on breastfeeding, please visit sites such as:

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3B100/6/1035
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=home
http://www.babycenter.com

And go out and buy The Baby Book! It is my baby bible!


Remember your breast pads too!



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Gabriella Cook
Childbirth Educator
Gabbynadine1@gmail.com
Atlanta, GA