To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? This seems to be a dilemma for many parents. I’m sharing 6 things I learned from vaccinating my kids. “I’ve partnered with I Vaccinate to share my story and this content is sponsored by I Vaccinate.”
6 Things I Learned From Vaccinating My Kids
Protecting my boys is my number one priority. I want to protect them from getting hurt. I want to protect them from bullies. I want to protect them from danger that may come in a variety of ways. I also want to protect their health.
After giving birth to the twins sixteen years ago, I was overwhelmed. Taking care of two newborns, figuring out how to get them both on the same sleeping schedule, keeping track of diaper changes, how to work the breast pump, and so on. I also had to think about giving them vaccinated.
I’ve shared my thoughts on how I feel about vaccinations before on the blog. We live in the age of social media where we see so much shaming going on from parents to other parents. We’re shamed if we don’t get our kids vaccinated. We’re shamed if we do get them vaccinated. And this list of shaming goes on and on.
Tips on Vaccination
Each parent decides what is best for their child(ren). If you’re a new mom or you’re trying to decide whether or not you should vaccinate your kids, here are a few things I learned along the way to help you out.
Take the time to do the research. Listen, there is a lot of information out there- for and against vaccinations. You’re just a mom, not a rocket scientist. But I strongly urge you to find valid resources that give you the facts. One resource I wish I knew about is I Vaccinate. This is a great resource for parents, laying out the facts and providing tools based on real medical science. I Vaccinate is here to help Michigan parents protect their kids.
Talk to your doctor. When you become a parent, finding a good Pediatrician is crucial. You want a doctor that will not only listen to your concerns about your child but offer you real solutions. If you have questions about vaccinations, talk to your child’s doctor. I brought up my concerns with how many vaccinations the boys were getting in one visit, and their Pediatrician was able to work with our family on the best possible outcome.
Know what to expect. Before getting your child vaccinated, talk to their doctor about what to expect. You can also use I Vaccinate as a resource to get information on what to expect before and after your child gets their shots.
What if my child is sick? If your child is running a fever or has a cold the day they are scheduled to get their shots, talk to your child’s Pediatrician about your concerns. They can help you determine what is best for your child. You can also read these tips on if it’s okay for your child to get shots when they are sick.
Don’t buy the scare tactic. There are websites, speakers, parents, even doctors that will try to scare you about vaccinations. They will sell you on taking alternative options, which is not the same thing. Don’t let anyone sway you into making a decision you are not comfortable making. This is where I recommend spending time on I Vaccinate’s site to get information on vaccinations.
Trust your gut. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a mom for a few months or several years, you have the mom instinct. It is recommended to follow an immunization schedule. “Parents who are concerned about the number of shots given at one time can reduce the number given at a visit by using the flexibility built into the current recommended immunization schedule. For example, the third dose of Hepatitis B vaccine can be given at 6 through 18 months of age. Parents can work with their child’s health care professional to have their child receive this dose at any time during this recommended age range.”
With all of the recent outbreaks of measles, I am thankful my kids received their vaccines and I don’t have to worry about this.
Vaccination Resources in Michigan
While I am not here to tell you what to do as a parent, I strongly encourage each parent to do the research on vaccinations, the pros, and the cons.
At the end of the day, we want what’s best for our kids. We want to protect them from everything. Learn more information about how you can protect your child(ren) by visiting I Vaccinate for up-to-date information. If you’re a Michigan parent, this is a great resource to help you find immunization clinics in your area.
Hi Tatanisha! These are great tips, I’ve always vaccinated my kids but right now I’m struggling about the HPV vaccine. I’ve heard a lot of scary stories, but now I’m heading to I Vaccinate’s site to get info about it.