Vaccinations for children

Yes, I vaccinated all my children - but....that was 30 years ago.  I'm not going to tell you not to vaccinate your children but I do hope you will put on your mommy detective hat and take a look at the well known facts. 

I googled "childhood vaccinations pros and cons" and came up with 148,000 sites.  Whew!  I googled childhood immunizations and came up with 757,000 sites.  Clearly this is a huge topic. 

Here's my problem.  I've told you that you don't need a $200,000 degree to ask questions.  I have a problem with the fact that.....yes....autism and a host of other childhood mental issues did exist in the 1800-early 1900's; but in 2000 they seem to be on a rapid and furious rise.  The question then is why.  Why was autism an unheard of disease in the 1950's and now it affects one in a hundred?  I remember watching an Elvis movie where he helps an autistic child.  I mentioned the movie in one of my psychology classes and the professor dismissed the problem as "rare".  Why is it so prevalent now? 

I do think most parents are too quick to give their children anything the doctor prescribes.  A Parent's #1 job is to protect and defend their children.  Parents must be investigators, weigh the information and be a little slower to act on the current "fad".  We also need to be careful about how we gather information and make sure we are balanced mommy detectives.  After all, the rise in a particular problem may have many reasons.  Perhaps the rise in autism or ADD is caused by multiple factors.  Some may be medical, some because of society and stress, some from daycare, some from pollution and some from preservatives.  We need to be very careful not to wear blinders but instead to open our eyes to every possibility.

Having said that, Let's see if we can present a different view.  Let's look first at the beginning of life.

Should a pregnant mother get a flu shot?

To answer that problem thoroughly, let's look first at the ingredients in most flu shots.  The following information was taken from a publication by Tedd Koren for informational use in major medical offices.

There are 25 micrograms of mercury per dose in most flu shots (multi-dose vial).  That level is judged safe by the FDA for a 550 lb. person.  In 1999, Federal agencies called for the removal of mercury in vaccines.  In 2001 the American Academy of Pediatrics insisted that "Mercury in all of its forms is toxic to the fetus and children."  Many flu vaccines still contain mercury.  Vaccine information

Some flu shot ingredients

Chicken embryos - those allergic to chicken, including eggs and feathers, can become seriously ill from the vaccination
Sodium phosphate - can affect heart and central nervous system
Sodium deoxycholate - a tumor promoter and DNA damaging agent
Mercury - a brain and nervous system toxin
Formaldehyde - cancer causing
Beta propiolactone - toxic to the liver and to the x intestinal tract
Gentamicin sulfate & polymyxin - antibiotics (doctors constantly told me not to give too many antibiotics because it would prevent them from working later on... but apparently in this form it's okay?)
Neomycin sulfate - antibiotics
MSG (monosodium glutamate) - causes brain damage in experimental animals
Gelatin - obtained from selected pieces of calf, pork and cattle skin
Polyethylene glycol-p-isooctylphenyl ether - spermacide (kills sperm); can cause chills, confusion, dizziness, fever, lightheadedness, muscle aches, peeling of the skin; causes severe eye irritation; harmful if swallowed, inhaled or in contact with skin.  Manufacturer states:  FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.  NOT FOR HUMAN OR DRUG USE

This list makes me angry.  It also makes me wonder if the rise in Alzheimer's, ADD, hyperactivity and other mental issues hasn't been caused by our use of some of these chemicals.  I eat out a lot and from now on I'm going to question the use of MSG.  I had no idea it caused brain damage.  Why would I want to take the chance of even a small amount of that chemical getting into my system?

If you aren't worried already....the article goes on to answer the question "Is it safe to vaccinate during pregnancy?"

Vaccination during pregnancy is dangerous and useless.  Researchers found that vaccinating mothers does not reduce respiratory illness in their infants nor reduce respiratory illness in their newborns.  "Maternal influenza vaccination did not significantly affect infant outpatient and inpatient visits for acute respiratory illness."  Why then do some doctors recommend pregnant women eat less tuna to avoid Mercury but also recommend the Mercury-laden flu shot?


Good question.  I am scheduled for a wellness clinic in Ann Arbor, Michigan September 24th.  Dr. Lazar will be speaking on Vaccinations and I will be speaking on discipline.  While these seem to be non-related topics, there may be more interaction than we think.

I plan to post even more information on the vaccine issue.  Many problems mothers face may be linked to our desire to "prevent" medical problems.  Instead of prevention, could we actually be causing other problems?

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie

Home preschool training is essential for better grades

Punkin

Every parent wants their child to be successful in school.  It's a normal leap then to think that your preschooler needs more training than you can give them.  The best training may not be preschool.  The best training may be a verbal mom and dad who plays with their child.

Think about what your child will need to succeed in school and couple that with all the findings about unsuccessful children.  Most new studies have found 3 things that hamper a child's ability to succeed in school.

1.  School demands verbal skills.  Your child must be able to talk easily with others.  He must communicate his thoughts to the teacher and often to other students.  Eventually he will have to translate those thoughts to paper.  Being able to hold a conversation, to reason and to support his idea is paramount to success in English, math and socialization.  

What better way to prepare him than to make your home a verbal challenge.  To keep me on the forefront of child care and to remind me of the days when my home was full of children - Every Friday I care for a 14 month old for a teacher friend of mine.  "Punkin" (don't want to use real name on Internet) arrived this morning and after a little play time we had a snack of toast and juice.  It reminded me of how much I talk to children.  I pointed to everything in the room and gave it a name.  We played "my name - your name".  Every time he picked up a cut square of bread, I said the word "toast".  When he chewed I remarked, "Yum, good chewing."  When he sipped his juice I smiled and said, "Yum good juice".  When he offered me a piece of toast, I said, "thank you." 

Talk, talk, talk.  Even when he was done, I continued to talk about what I was doing.  "Let's put the dishes away shall we?  Can you find your truck?  Debbie's making bubbles.  Do you like bubbles?"  My little shadow and I were having long conversations even if he couldn't respond.  He smiled, he giggled, he touched the bubbles.  HE WAS LEARNING.  He was learning how to have a conversation, how to be interactive and more importantly - he was putting a label on his world.  He was learning words and their meaning even before he can say those words.

2.  Today's children have low scores in Reading/English and math.  Children need to learn how to reason so they can accomplish problem solving in math and see connections in stories and society.  When I tell "Punkin", let's move your toddler chair over here so we don't trip over it...I'm teaching him to prepare.  I'm also teaching him to see a problem before it becomes a problem which will in turn help him to be a good problem solver.  When we stop the day to dance to classical music, I'm providing mathematical imprints in the brain.  When I make up a story using "Punkin" as the main character, I'm encouraging the love of reading and the desire to hear stories.

3.  Children can't study properly when they aren't accepted socially.  Helping your child to understand the process of conversations and how to converse with others will ultimately help him make friends at school.  Teaching your child to make friends can be extremely valuable when he interacts with his teacher, the assistant and other students.  "Punkin, I love your hugs.  Punkin, thank you for the toy.  Punkin, can you help Debbie put this away?  Yeah Punkin!....you did it!

Unfortunately, sometimes (not always) when children are placed in preschool, they learn their letters, their numbers and listen to wonderful stories....but that individual care, that barrage of language and training doesn't happen.  It's not that teachers aren't doing their job...they are.  It's simple mathematics.  A teacher and assistant can't give your child the one on one training when there are also 10 other children in the room.  I'm not saying you have to be a stay at home mom...but I am asking you to look at what your child needs to succeed.  If your child is happy in preschool - great!  Just be sure when he comes home that you are a language machine, teaching him the extra lessons that will help him be his best in school.

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie