RotaTeq rotavirus vaccine

Two days after my baby received the vaccine, she started having mild diarrhea. I didn’t think much of it, until 12 hours later when she threw up (and I earned a Mommy Medal by catching it in my hand, thankyouverymuch!) The next day, she spiked a fever of over 102. I am not worried for her. She is generally content and just a bit sleepy. Thank goodness for breastfeeding, which keeps her both hydrated and happy!

I am not “pro-vaccine” or “anti-vaccine.” I am all about the informed decision. I fully recognize that my daughter might not actually have rotavirus, or that she might have rotavirus but have contracted it from a source other than the live vaccine. I do feel though that this diarrhea, vomiting, and fever constitute a potential adverse reaction to the vaccine.

I called the pediatrician to ask her to report my daughter’s reaction to the FDA and CDC using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Anyone can report to the VAERS but the site suggests asking the doctor for help. At any rate I wanted to mention to the family practitioner what I had learned about the timing of the vaccine. Unfortunately, the call did not go well. I would love it if all doctors would practice the following three phrases:

I don’t know.

I will find out.

I am sorry.

I was not upset; I used a nice voice. When the doctor insisted that only the first dose of the vaccine needs to be given before 32 weeks, I gently reiterated my understanding that it’s actually the last dose that needs to be given before 32 weeks.

No one is perfect. I made a mistake. The pediatrician made a mistake. Let’s learn from our mistakes. In fact, let’s write a blog post about it so others can learn from our mistakes.

Your Thoughts

Has your child ever had a potential adverse reaction to a vaccine? Do you vaccinate fully, not at all, or on a delayed and selective basis?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Four baby teeth at nine months

Over the weekend she climbed the entire flight of stairs as I followed her right behind. It’s a new world and I definitely need to be extra vigilant now! She can stand unsupported for short periods of time, and seems poised to take her first steps. I am in no particular rush for that to happen, although both my older girls were actually easier to care for once they could walk and did not need to rely on me so much to get at the things that caught their fancy!

Breastfeeding continues to go well. She nurses as desired throughout the day and night. She naps 3-4 times per day — a catnapper as I said before — and wakes 3-4 times at night. I readily admit that I don’t enjoy getting up with her for even the minute it takes me to nurse her back to sleep, but we co-sleep and I fall back asleep quickly.

She enjoys solid food and eats a modified version of whatever the rest of us eat for each meal. Vegetables, fruit, beans, little bits of meat. She sits at the table with us, feeds herself, and makes a grand mess!

We follow a delayed and selective vaccination schedule based on The Vaccine Book. Nicole got two vaccinations today, and that went surprisingly well. The first was the oral rotavirus vaccine. After an unavoidable round of antibiotics for an ear infection a couple of months ago, she knows the drill about taking “medicine” and she swallowed this stuff just fine. Then came the dreaded shot. I got ready to nurse her, as breastfeeding helps with pain management, but she knew what was going to happen and decided she wanted to watch. I always warn her that she will get a shot, that it will be an “ouch,” and then it will be over. I fully believe she understands me and deserves to be told what to expect. Today she cried for a second after the shot, but stopped when I said it was “all done.” She then gave the nurse quite the evil eye!

Anyone else with a baby around this age? How is everything going for you?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

~ Whether or not to vaccinate is a hot debate among breastfeeding mothers. If the question is on your mind, check out this informative book review from The Leery Polyp of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Dr. Robert Sears.

~ Add the new Breastfeeding Mums Forum to our list of breastfeeding bulletin boards and forums.

~ If you have a family history of allergy-induced asthma, you will be glad to read this report from About.com: Breastfeeding on the protective benefits of breastfeeding.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3