Vaccination Schedule

I use an alternative schedule as well. I consulted the books by Dr. Sears and Dr. Cave. Then, I created a spreadsheet of my schedule so that I could easily keep track of it, and I reviewed it with my doctor. We only do one shot at a time, and although it does mean more trips to the doctor, we have had no fevers and, sometimes, not even any crying. And, when my child did have a reaction to one of the vaccines, I knew which one it was. Basically, I am afraid to get the vaccines and to not get the vaccines, and so this was the only route I was comfortable with.

I agree with the AAP guidelines. I think alternative schedules prolong the amount of time that kids are susceptible to these diseases and can spread them to others. It's not the number of vaccines that counts, it's the immunological components contained in the vaccines. A single infection with a common cold virus poses a much greater immunological challenge than all current vaccines combined. Also, alternative schedules are untested - never reviewed by the FDA, CDC, or AAP to make sure its safe and effective as the existing schedule. All in all, I think alternative schedules are better than not vaccinating, but probably unnecessary.

It really depends on your child and whether he/she can detoxify efficiently from the toxins that the vaccine introduces to your child's system. My first child handled vaccines fine, although we did do an alternative schedule. My second child, even on an alternative schedule has still struggled so she is behind and having to go much slower. It does matter what schedule but I think it should be based on the child's health and nothing else. I really think any thing that has a set schedule when it comes to healthcare is too impersonal and not based on individual health. What I learned from my current pedi (who I love) is the signs were there with my daughter from the beginning: eczema, allergies, reflux, frequent viruses, and ear infections---these are much milder than some reactions but are indicators that the immune system is struggling. To put vaccines on top of a system already being compromised is irresponsible. Alternative schedules are most definitely necessary. I would hate to see where my precious Sam would be had I not listened to my gut and kept vaccinating her. The best thing you can do is gain knowledge in the area, other than from the pedi, and to trust your gut. One doctor told me the frequent visits would traumatize my child---well, tell that to the mom whose child has liver damage and can hardly eat regular food or play in the grass due to his vaccines (he got all of them at the same time as scheduled). It has been three years and he still struggles and breaks out all over his body if his diet is not followed or he plays outside......I think a little crying at the pedi is well worth the precaution. BTW, my daughters are not traumatized by the pedi's office either.....gotta love the scare tactics....it is nothing a trip to sonic afterward can't help sooth (for mom and kiddo)!!!! God gave us moms instincts, use them and trust them. No matter the pressures around you. Also, for just a vaccine visit, it should not charge you. They usually tack it on to a more recent visit or something......if you see the doctor that does charge but a nurse shouldn't.

Personally, I agree with Kelly K. it all depends on the kid. Being a naive first time Mom I had not done my research on vaccines at ALL. That is until after my first son's 2 month well baby visit. He had all of the standard 2month check up vaccines. I think it was a total of 2 shots but 7 vaccines. His reaction baffled me and scared me to know end. He cried endlessly, stared blankly and was refusing to eat, along with a fever. All which they say are "normal" reactions. Are you kidding me? Then I started thinking back to when I first brought him home from the NICU they had done the HEPB vaccine and by day two he was screaming and just horribly cranky and wouldn't calm down at all. I took him in saying somethings wrong help, and they thought it was something else did some testing and everything came back fine. In retrospect I believe it was definitely a reaction to the vaccine.

With him I continued an alternative schedule until he was 2.5. He always spikes fevers and is generally beyond uncomfortable. In fact, just at his 3 year check up they said he needed another Prevnar. Confused, but caught off guard because I though we were done I said go ahead. Guess what, 104 fever for 2 days and he couldnt walk for 3 days. No bueno! And this was all because in 2010 they added 6 more strains to the vaccine, so it was just a "booster" to expose him to the additions. But that was my fault for not just declining and taking the advise of the nurse.

Now with that said my 2nd son (18mths), hasn't had one fever, or even the typical crankiness, rash or anything. Didn't even phase him. In fact, the first 6 months he didn't even wince, when they gave the shot. Based off of those results, I only did the alternative schedule to the point where I knew how he reacted to each set of vaccines, so by 9 months I was basically up to par with the recommended schedule and will continue to follow that schedule here on out (well excluding Hep B vaccines and that's because I have MS and there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that suggests Hep B may be an environmental trigger for it). Unless something drastically changes, his body seems to tolerate them better than my first...but then again he was a lot bigger of a baby than my first too!

Good luck in whatever decision you decide to follow.

I've had friends whose children had allergic reactions. Stretching the shots out lets you know what shot caused the reaction. And some don't even start the shots until the child is over 6 months old. That's only when the child doesn't have to be in daycare, though.

I think it depends on how your child responds to vaccinations. Spreading them out is more hassle for you, and I think more pain/anxiety overall for the child, but some children may do better with them spread out. My oldest son is very prone to high fevers (103.5-104.5), getting them both when ill and when vaccinated. After his first two vaccinations, I started spreading them out, and the vaccine-related fevers did decrease to a more normal (100-102) range. My second son has shown absolutely no side effects to vaccines, so I follow the recommended schedule more closely (I still break them up somewhat, but I'll let him get 2 or 3 at a time, instead of just one at a time). I'd say just watch your how your child reacts and go with your gut. Good luck!

With my first child, I went by the normal schedule. With my second child, I went with the alternative schedule. I bought the book by Dr. Sears on Immunizations and spoke with my doctor and daycare and they were totally cool with the alternative schedule. I had to place a note in her folder at school giving them the schedule but it was no big deal. I wish I would have used the alternative schedule on my oldest. With spreading them out, there immune system wasn't bombarded with all the medicine and able to handle it better.

It really just depends on you and what you want to do.

I just follow the regular schedule set by the pediatrician. I hate to see them get shots too. I always give them a sucker while they get the shots and that helps a little, but it's still hard. I guess my theory is it's better than watching them suffer from the diseases I'm vaccinating them against. (yes, I know they are not 100% covered)

My guys have never had a problem handling vaccinations, but I prefer to space them out, primarily so their immune system will react fully to each one, and also so that if they have a reaction, we know which shot they reacted to.

I've gone with the regular APA guidelines for all 3 of my kiddos. It's terrible to have to get 4 or 5 shots at once, but I prefer that to going every month like you said. If any of my kids had a real reaction I would probably reconsider and spread the next set out and see if he/she did better, but they've all done fine so far (mild grumpiness for the day and maybe low grade fever).