On Vaccines...

Today was Mia's four month checkup. And Brice's kindergarten checkup. And Isaiah's spur-of-the-moment appointment because he's severely constipated. Again. Needless to say it was a busy day. Taking six kids, ages five and under to the pediatrician's office is never easy. But is was kind of fun. Dr. Young, my mom and I lined them all up on the exam table. It was precious and adorable. I didn't have my camera and Dr. Young didn't have hers either. Too bad, it would have made a great picture.
Mia and Brice were due for some vaccinations. Now, let me say up front that I am basically pro-vaccination. But I'm not Pro-every vaccination, or pro-vaccination in all instances or for all children. I think vaccines carry many benefits, and also some risks. I vaccinate more or less on schedule with a few exceptions. I don't do the HEP immediately at birth, I delay until the two month appointment. Not because I don't want my children to have the shots. But because of the fact that I think newborns have enough shock to their systems following birth and a few weeks wait, to let them adjust to the world before adding agents to their bodies that while overall helpful and useful to protect against disease, doubtlessly come with their own set of potential side effects and issues, is probably a good idea. And really, how likely is a newborn with no risk factors, to become infected with Hepatitis prior to being vaccinated? Not very. We don't do chicken pox because of Brandon. I don't do
H1N1 at all and usually skip the seasonal flu shot. And I don't like to do too many vaccines at one time. Generally, I'd prefer to do vaccines individually rather than too many in one "combination shot" even if it means more sticks.
One of the interesting things is that some of our children react to vaccines with...well...no reaction. None at all. No fever, no aches, no red bump at the injection site. Nothing. For others, vaccination day brings two or three days (and nights) of crying, aching, fever, soreness and generally not feeling well. Brice is in the first category. Mia, at least as of her two month shots, is in the later. But, tonight, so far, she's done pretty well. She's slept a lot, but no cried much. We'll see about tomorrow. We'll see how she feels then.
It's heartbreaking to hear her cry when she gets her shots (she actually didn't cry much at all, just a bit for only a few seconds). Even though I believe that it is for her overall good. And for the overall good of society. I held her tight and gave her lots of extra cuddles tonight. She laid her head on my chest for a long time and blew raspberries! And laughed! Like I said, so far, she seems to be feeling okay. Hope tomorrow is just as good!