To vax, delay or not to vax (Week 9) POTW

So why this photo?

This past week Parker had his 2 month well child check-up and the first round of vaccinations began at this check-up. Since I will be getting on a immunization soap box for this post, I found it fitting to take a picture of Parker's leg where he received his immunization.

I had been debating for awhile throughout the pregnancy whether or not we were going to immunize Parker. Okay...I knew we would immunize him but, I wasn't sure if we would put him on a delayed schedule or follow the normal standards. Even if you follow the normal CDC recommended immunization schedule, you should educate yourself about the things that are being injected into your baby.

Here are a few books I recommend reading:
"The Vaccine Guide" by Randall Neustaedter
"The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears
"What your Dr. may not tell you about Children's vaccines" by Stephanie Cave

I also recommend that if you are even debating the possibility of delaying your baby's shots, choose a pediatrician that is "vaccine-friendly." Basically, they won't threaten to call CPS or tell you that you are a horrible parent for delaying or not immunizing your little one. Some pediatricians will even make you leave their practice for simply suggesting a delayed schedule.

Here is a link to the list on the Dr. Sears site for vaccine-friendly doctors, we LOVE our pediatrician.

Vaccine-friendly doctors

After all the research I did here is the schedule we decided to go with(at least for the first 7 months.)

2 months: DTaP (this is already 3 vaccines in 1 shot, so if you went with the CDC standards that is 7 vaccines in one visit, just scary in my opinion.)
3 months*: Pc, HIB
4 months: DTaP
5 months*: Pc, HIB
6 months: DTaP
7 months: Pc, HIB


This is the CDC& AAP recommended schedule:

2 months: DTaP,Pc, HIB,IPV, Rota virus
4 months: DTaP,Pc, HIB,IPV, Rota virus
6 months: DTaP,Pc, HIB, Rota virus

While we may have a few extra visits, I feel more comfortable spreading out the immunizations rather than bombarding my little one with so much at once.