Vaccines: 2 months

Lucy got (some) of her 2-month vaccines this past Wednesday. The only other vaccine she has had so far was the hepatitis B shot that they give at birth. If I had looked into it a little bit more, I would have declined that shot - and I did decline the hep B booster that they wanted to give at 1 month. (My central reason for declining is that there is virtually a 0% chance she will be exposed to this...)

At 2 months, Lucy got the oral rotavirus vaccine and a pentavalent (AH!) vaccine that included DTaP, Polio, and Hib. The oral rota vaccine was actually way worse than the shot, which she was able to nurse through. Almost as soon as the oral solution hit her throat, she vomited all over me. I wonder if it was because it was a sugar solution; something she hasn't be exposed to yet. The rest of the day was a bust. We spent the entire afternoon and evening nursing and napping on the couch. She didn't get a fever, but I think she was having painful gas from the rota vaccine, and her leg was sore. She was so sad and screamy whenever she was awake. Luckily, she was able to sleep at night, and seemed none the worse for the wear in the morning.

The vaccine debate is so confusing. There is so much we are just now learning about immunity that is conferred through breastmilk, and the impact of vaccines on the developing infant gut biome. I generally feel that we are incredibly resilient creatures, and I had most of these vaccines and turned out alright...so she probably will too! I know that's not the best logic, but there are risks on either side of the debate. The vaccine that I am most worried about is the MMR, since from what I can tell, it seems to be most highly linked to adverse reactions. It is hard to know what to do as a new parent who is a little bit skeptical of the medical system in general. We haven't always given so many vaccines, or done these giant combo vaccines (PENTA-valent, really!?)...I just hate feeling like an experiment :(

All this being said, I appreciate what vaccines have done for us, and I recognize that some are certainly important. I am thankful to feel secure enough in my baby's health that I have the option to question the doctor's 'wisdom.'  I delayed the PCV vaccine to 3 months, and in the meantime, we are going to check out another pediatrician who might have an alternative perspective on this issue.