flu shot

Vicki - posted on 01/10/2011

yeah. I'm calling an ambulance if happens again. and never letting them out of my sight til they go to universtiy. will sit with them at the kidnergarten tables and follow them til 1st date practially!

my friend also told me you do learn to live with it and it does get easier. good to hea another mom say the same.
thank you for the support and info!

Ann Marie - posted on 01/10/2011

Yeah, good tips on how to post the info. Thanks. The daycare staff were a little freaked out, but at least they remembered to call the ambulance! They were happy for the info, actually. It was good "emergency practice" for them!

The doctors told us they don't have to go to the ER once you know the drill, but I would want to call an ambulance anyway.

So far as the age when they outgrow it - I'm sure it's just a gradual thing where they're less and less likely to get it as they get older. Maybe the risk starts going down between 2-3 years old, and after 5 years old it's practically 0?

We've definitely learned to live with it. We were completely freaked out the first time, but now it's just part of life, no big deal.

Vicki - posted on 01/10/2011

no, this kid is really bright and hilarious and a whole bunch of good stuff. also her dad did have them so hereditary yeah. my husbands brother had one.

I'd make and prin very clear instructions on how you want the situation handled should it happen in their care. (roll over, NO stuff in mouth, lossen collar, call 911, etc). you know the drill beter than I do I am sure. then ask each staff to sign it and each new one that covers for a sick staff or caregiver that covers a break or whatever. jsut ask them to not post it for all to see (other parents) as it should be treated confidentially. we used to do it and put them in plastic liek duo-tang things and have it atached to wall in full view (with a cover page saying aler notifications). make a sign in sheet with column for name, date, staff signautre. and if they don't like it too bad. but I'd be surprised if they gave you a hard time or didn't ge it.

I heard they outgrow at aroudn 5?

Ann Marie - posted on 01/10/2011

I'm not sure about the "alert notification" sheet. I'll have to check into that when we put the kids back in daycare in a few months. We do always tell the sitters, just in case, so they don't completely panic if it does happen.

Juliana's 3 1/2 now. She had the first seizure when she was 15 months old, and the second when she was almost 2. The doctors told us they usually outgrow them by the age of 3 or 4. But of course Sonja's only 13 months old now, so we watch her. They're definitely hereditary, and I had two febrile seizures as a baby too, so Sonja's high risk.

I trust that the seizures don't cause brain damage. It's dangerous to claim you're smart, but let's just say I always tested way ahead of my grade level. ;-) When I was a baby, they thought it was a seizure disorder, so I was actually on Phenobarbitol for a year or two. My parents said I was kind of drowsy all the time on that, so I'm glad they don't do that to kids any more.

Vicki - posted on 01/10/2011

I hope so too Ann Marie. thanks for letting me know. I need to stop googling and trust that I will learn to live with the fear of the 'again what if.' my friends daughter has ahd 3 and jsut to le you know (but I am sre you already are aware of the no brain damage thing) she goes to a gifted school and thus far at 6 has not had one for a long time. glad you're daycare changed the policy. I work in childcare and we'd need a dr's note and have to call you 1st for the ok before administering meds. do they have an 'alert notification' sheet somewhere in the room? I work as a casual and one of the first things I do when entering a room is check the alert notification sheets and sign I've read them, keeps everyone (casuals that don't know the kids but are responsible for them, ass'ts) in the know. how old is Juliana now?

Ann Marie - posted on 01/09/2011

Vicki -

The first time (the sinus infection), Juliana had cold symptoms first. We were at a friend's house for a Christmas Eve party, and we put her down to sleep in their guest room. We woke her up at midnight and put her in her carseat, and 10 minutes later she had the seizure. We drove ourselves to the ER. We didn't notice that she had a high fever until we got to the hospital - we were too caught up in the seizure and how she didn't wake up after it.

The second time, Juliana was fine going to daycare in the morning. I checked with DH - they called us in the afternoon because she had a 101 fever. (This was before we got them to change their policy.) She took a nap before DH got there to pick her up, and when he walked in she started having the seizure. She developed the croup-y cough on the way to the hospital.

Both times her fever was around 105-107. They treated her by taking her clothes off, giving her a Tylenol suppository for the fever, and treating what she was actually sick with. She had some oxygen with the croup too.

Fun, right? But I think (hope) she's outgrown them now.

Vicki - posted on 01/09/2011

thanks :)
were there ANY signs of it coming at all with the first or second? did she have the seizure then the croup came out shortly afterwards?

Ann Marie - posted on 01/09/2011

I am sorry about the tone. Mostly just the part about being entertained, though. Moving on...

Fortunately, I've never had either girl get a high fever after getting vaccines. Usually it's just a low fever (100) or some crankiness/sleepiness, if anything at all. I don't recall giving Juliana Tylenol before a vaccine, but one of her pediatricians did suggest that. I do check their temperatures for a few days, though, and give Tylenol or Motrin if they have a fever.

I also got special permission from Juliana's daycare to leave Tylenol in her cubbie so they could give her a dose as soon as she got any sort of fever. Normally their policy is to monitor a low fever and just call the parents to come get the child with a real fever, but they were willing to make an exception and medicate her and call us at the same time. Her second seizure happened right when DH came to pick her up at the end of the day, so it didn't matter. But maybe one of the other times they gave her Tylenol it helped. Who knows?

Vicki - posted on 01/07/2011

I understand. its just the tone in which it was written. I get frustrated with people being condescending to others on this thing.
that said I do want to thank you for posting what you did about febrile seizures. it was helpful to me in reminding myself that if we do vaccinate (don't think I'll do te flu shot but do think I will do vaccines) don't just monitor but do the tylenol or whatever as routine. think I am going to vaccinate and be extra cautious as you have been. obviously I will give tylenol or advil before the shot but do you suggest simply monitoring therafter or using meds as preventative for a day or so even without fever. and please people...do not bother to tell me not t give meds to my child unless they "need" it. of course if you're child has experienced a febrile seizure please do share opinions on managing post vaccination.

Ann Marie - posted on 01/07/2011

Sorry Vicki, but fear-mongering and spreading lies about vaccines is harmful to children's health. If she had said something like "vaccines have risks", fine. But what she said is not a belief, it's just plain wrong.

And I just posted what's already on that website. The brain-eating vaccines is what comes up when you search like Jessica suggested. The guy discredits himself.

Vicki - posted on 01/06/2011

ann marie why shoot jessica down? she gave an opinion trying to be helpful. some people believe some things while others disagree with it. I appreciate Jessica sharing her beliefs. May not be what I agree wth but still generous to share. Man people get so angry and sarcastic on these things sometimes.



(edited for typos - for a change)

Ann Marie - posted on 01/06/2011

Jessica, children who get a flu shot or spray are not contagious. The virus in a vaccine is either dead or weakened so it can't spread to other people. This is not just a theory; it's obvious.



By the way, Alex Jones (the guy behind prisonplanet.com) also has the following statements on his website:

* "terror plots are routinely set up by the FBI who provide the patsy with explosives and radicalize them into carrying out such plots through their vast informant network."

* "brain-eating vaccines ... virtually lobotomize people and rewire their brains into a state of subservient compliance so that their natural instinct to get angry and rebel against the tyranny being imposed upon them is neutered and sterilized."

* "People who resist the state controlling every aspect of their existence will be forced to live in squalid ghettos while the rest of the population will be tightly controlled in high-tech prison cities"



Ahem. But thanks for the entertainment.

Jessica - posted on 01/06/2011

I do not do it. you have to worry about the other kids who get vaccines because they are contagious for up to 2 weeks. my daughter is a year old and has not been sick yet. go to prisonplanet.com and search on there for vaccines.

Ann Marie - posted on 01/04/2011

I just wanted to chip in - our first daughter got febrile seizures twice, so we were VERY AGGRESSIVE when treating fevers for her, until she was about 3. Basically as soon as she started to get a fever we'd give her a dose of Tylenol, then alternate that with Ibuprofen, for a day or two until the fever came down. After the first day or two they're unlikely to spike a high fever, so we'd lay off the meds as long as she didn't seem miserable.

The problem with febrile seizures, of course, is that kids that are prone to them usually don't show any warning signs - the first thing you notice is the seizure, because they spike high fevers in record time. But at least we felt better about possibly preventing another trip to the ER. Her first seizure was from a sinus infection, and the second one was from the croup. She had a 105+ fever both times, right after waking up from a nap when she seemed fine before the nap.

We do get our girls the flu shots, because we truly believe they're safer than the flu itself. Plus you avoid the misery of the flu. The do have some other viral thing right now though - nothing you can do about that.

Kelly - posted on 01/02/2011

Stick with your gut feeling. If you do want to decrease the risk of him having a flu then you could immunise the adults in the house and make handwashing an important part of day to day life. The other thing to note is that it takes 2 weeks for your body to build up immunity from having a flu jab as well. Good luck with your decision.

Holly - posted on 01/01/2011

lol Travel to Italy.. even for family, sounds so fun :) I understand the concern about contamimants in an airport.. things we don't have in our society could potentially be in airports due to foreign travel.. but I also agree that we do SO much more here and "developed" countries do so much less and are not suffering for it so?? yea.. I get ya! I think your dr is bs because babies DO dream! Aiden will move his hands in his sleep (picking things up?), talks in his sleep, etc lol... has for a long time.

We were lucky with the chlomid! It took several rounds but we were thankful that we didn't have to go further! I am so glad you were able to get two of two lol. :) Are you going to try for more or ?? I have a second cousin (you know PCOS goes down the mother's line in the family right? And the son can pass it to his daughters? anyway.. second cousin tried my ENTIRE life to get pregnant. Had given up. Was doing foster care and was getting ready to adopt a little girl.. was literally months away and she got pregnant and had a little girl.. early forties... Everyone (including her) was stunned lol..

I agree also with it is SO hard to decide what is and isn't BS in the way of studies.. Some folks say "Oh, you found it on the INTERNET big deal" or scoff because you found some info by doing an internet search .. so since you found it on the internet it can't possibly be true.. I say the internet is an amazing tool for research.. so long as you pay attention to where the info is coming from lol... someone's personal blog.. not so much.. a little though... if they were smart enough to link to the spot where they got their info. :)

I try not to rely on the doctors so very much either. They are being paid to sell vaccines and medications... YKWIM? So I only listen to half of what they say. I did not circ my boys. The first ped I had them with (when three year old was a baby) told me that retracting would not hurt him and I *needed* to do it. That was the last communication with her! We moved to another dr. When my son was hospitalized we were told that the *best* thing the on call dr could say about our new physician was that he was *adequate*... so we changed again lol... The nurses in the hospital FORCED us to use a bottle for a long time (which hurt our relationship nursing wise) and some made me sign a waiver about co-sleeping but the last nurse we had on the day we were leaving refused to allow us to co-sleep. Took the big bed out of the room that I had been using, brought a crib in, and if I fell asleep holding him she woke me up. I nearly decked her... I had a call in to a patient advocate when they allowed us to go home! I was UPSET! I find it hilarious that people who never HAD kids are in there telling us what we are supposed to do with OUR kids and that we are wrong if we don't do what their text books (that were written generally by OLDER people who don't even realize that recommendations have changed since they had kids) say.. :( I have become very anti dr and anti big pharma since the last two kiddos were born...

I am discussing much the same things as we are on a constant basis on my facebook pages that I belong to and one of the mommas told me to take the peppermint oil and rub in on the soles of feet, forehead, back of neck that type of stuff to reduce fever... that it won't burn them like it used to and that it will reduce fever faster than motrin so I thought I would pass that on too :) gotta go make breakfast.. :( BLEH supposed to be hubs job on Sat and Sun.. Happy NEW YEAR!!! :)

Vicki - posted on 01/01/2011

oh chlomid peshaw I scoff at chlomid! we went far...as in donor egg. two embryos in and two babies. go figure! I get insane with researching and stuff and am like you in way of omg the autism thing terrifies me (work with kids, some with autism in past) especially when it apparently doesn't show signs til approx 18 months or 3 yrs or whatever. yes, we all wanna do what is right and best. jsut so much info out there and so hard to decipher which studies are bs and which actually hold weight. i know what the mainstream dr's will say so there is little point in asking them. they actually even told me they don't dream at about 9 months to which I say bs. my dog dreamed as a puppy, how could my children not?

we also travel internationally with them. oh sounds so glamourous. not really. just to italy for couple months when they were 7 months and will do it every summer (husbands family) so even my didn't vax cousin thought I should do it as traveling through airports, etc. Italy has way less issues re: allergies, etc than we do here so not all that concerned about that but still...planes suck.

I also know that we do way mor than othe countries (ee diff vax I think). used to be 18. as for the goats milk omg I am paying over 10 bucks for the four bags anyway. don't want to do non-organic milk but omg they go through it so fast and it is so expensive as is....daughter crying...husband frustrated...stil gotta shower...later.

Holly - posted on 12/31/2010

YIKES!! A LOT of difficult questions! :( I actually have six of my own and two step children so did ok with the PCOS LOL.. Have had to use Chlomid though with some of them
:( Not everyone was easy to nurse thanks to the PCOS AND GD together (separate is bad enough, together is insane).. but Aiden is 13.5 months and still going strong.. probably NEVER gonna let go ROFL :) LOVES his milkies :) lol.. I research.. a LOT... I want to do what is BEST for the kiddos.. and having 6 and two halves (lol) I have a lot of practice in doing the WRONG thing lol :) Lots of trial by error. These two youngest scare me because have an older uncle (he's 4) and an aunt who turned three a few months ago and both their aunt and uncle are autistic... So I want to make sure I don't stack ANYTHING against us. With breastfeeding this time we stayed clean. No bottles, no pacis, no formula, if it was a booby trap we stayed FAR away.. trying to do that with autism now... is there difinitive proof that vax cause autism? I dunno.. I haven't found it. Have I found PLENTY to say it *might* yup.. so no thanks.. not to mention that in researching I found all the other yucky stuff in the vax that made me decide if it was safe on the autism front I still wasn't comfortable with it.. cow brains, aborted babies, cow skin.. and on and on.. I decided vax just could not be for us anymore.. Then when I was reading on the whole "herd" mentality and such.. I decided it was just not ok with me anymore... (among other research and findings.. ).. SO.. another PCOS momma? Love the twins :) The chlomid had me half nervous half excited but wanted no more than twins lol (got one).. As for goats milk... I love it and very much agree it is awesome for the kiddos.. better than cow.. but the COST kills some folks on it. We would have to pay nearly $13 a gallon for it here! :( SERIOUSLY!?!?
That 16-24 ounces a day doesn't have to be all at once :) Aiden is still nursing so I can't tell you exactly how much he is getting but he nurses pretty often. With a former reflux baby he may be having tummy troubles.. try 4 ounces several times a day :) Also, try cups. :) Seems a bit easier on cups then bottles lol :) I would do food and bottle separate too... never together.. The goat milk they will need/want less of because it is more filling too. As for little one screaming in the night.. nightmares, tummy troubles, etc.. there are SO many possible culprits.. I wish I could tell you which one it is :(

Raw or not raw... really.. it's more of a personal decision... Things to think about.. raw.. anything that is in the milk is not being killed.. not raw..you might be cooking all of the nutrients out that you are liking so much :( I personally... would lean towards the raw.. :) but that's just me :)

Vicki - posted on 12/31/2010

totally get the difficult to concieve. did you catch I ahve twins at 41? :)

glad the PCOS was overcome and omg graves I am so sorry to hear! you're nursing...you rock! and how the hell do you know so much about so much?! youa re the person this question is for...and anyone else that has input...to goats milk or not to goats milk? they are on organic homo and I assume fine. my daughter will scream out of the blue some nights and I wonder if it might actually be the milk. jsut a tiny thought playing in my head. my son had gastro reflux as a smaller baby (yes, fun) but is over that. but he never finishes a bottle. and I don't mean full 8oz. they are offered 6.5 oz per day 3x (we were told by ped at 13 month they should be getting btwn 16-24 oz).

next part of question...raw or not raw?

Holly - posted on 12/31/2010

Vicki... if it happens again (or now if you want it) you could look up Eats on Feets.. I am sure there is one near Toronto.. look on facebook :) They connect Mommas with surplus milk with Mommas who need milk :)

It is a lot of very difficult research and it is a VERY difficult decision to make.. good luck :)

I have PCOS and Grave's Disease so it is really difficult to nurse (as well as many other things including conceive believe it or not lol) :) So I understnad...

Vicki - posted on 12/31/2010

well...guess I've got lots of research to do. feel so torn. both sides are such good arguments (or let's say make such good points). I know my husband wil freak if I don't want to do it but I am so torn. thanks all for posts. especially holly for your links. got em bookmarked and will be using as starting points. I couldn't bf so that sucked. did get a bit of colostrum in them at very beginning but for several reasons that was all I could do. they ddn't tell me anything about a bm bank in toronto and I've since found out their is one but very low supply so it wouldn't have been possible for our situation anyway. anyway, thanks again all and my research will begin (NOT doing flu sht for them but do want to research about future vacs).

Holly - posted on 12/31/2010

Absolutely :) Nursing isn't the beat all to win all but it sure does help a lot :) sorry nak so gonna be short lol :)

Wendy - posted on 12/31/2010

Oh yes, I nursed until a week before Christmas. I really feel like it helped alot and the fact that I am crazy about washing hands. LOL When we were growing up my mom was big on hand washing and we (my sister and I) were pretty healthy. Mom wasn't able to nurse with either of us but wishes she could have. I also have friends that have nursed all their children but they still have alot of illness in the family. (colds, ear infections, fevers, etc.) I know alot goes into the strength of our immune systems and everyone is different, just wish all kiddos could be healthy. I feel so bad for them when they don't feel good.

Holly - posted on 12/31/2010

She has a great immune system Wendy :) Are you nursing as well? That helps too :) Aiden just had his first little... whatever.. it wasn't a flu but a fever and runny nose.. a few weeks ago. He is 13 months too :) No flu shots, skipped the one year vax for him and three year for his big bro.. stopping vax from here out :) Fully breastfed to 8 months and still only now starting to eat real food on a regular basis :) Nursing helps so much huh?? :)

Wendy - posted on 12/31/2010

I got a flu shot last year while I was pregnant with my daughter and I also got one this year. My daughter is now 13months old and when we went for her 12mo. pediatrician visit for her shots, I also had them give her a flu shot. She has only had 3 small colds in her short little life and if I can vaccinate her against something that is going to make her feel horrible, then I'm going to do it. And for me, I am not going to risk her getting the flu since it can kill. She does not go to daycare either, I am a stay at home momma. We don't really hang out with anyone other than family right now, just because we can't afford to run around alot in the car, but we take stroller walks through the neighborhood and if I have to go somewhere, she goes with me 99% of the time.

Robin - posted on 12/31/2010

We don't vaccinate so, no we won't be getting the flu shot.

Barbara - posted on 12/30/2010

I have stuck with the vaccination schedule to the T and I have had my baby vaccinated with the flu shot after he was 6 months. There are risks with everything that you do. Medicate not medicate vaccinate not vaccinate. In my humble opinion we chose all vaccinations preferred by our pediatrician. He studies them thoroughly and I respect his opinion after all he went to med school and I did not. Good luck with this highly sensitive topic. The flu can kill young and old. That was enough for me to decide to go for it.

Melanie - posted on 12/29/2010

i got my baby a flu shot. it was not big deal. i did have to do it in 2 doses tho. that wasnt fun. but shes hasnt gotten sick yet this winter. knock on wood

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

NONE of them know proper care!!!!! Write on the diaper or put an address label on the diaper that says "I am *intact* DO NOT RETRACT!". My three year old was retracted in the emergency room just as I was telling the dr to get his hands off my sons penis. EVERY TIME they open his diaper tell them again.. even if you have told the ped a million times. Each time someone new comes into daycare.. EACH time you drop them at the YMCA daycare.. Put on EVERY diaper, put on diaper bag, put on wipes container, put in EVERY file.. make them SICK of seeing it. Seriously... My 13 month old is safe but only because he has only been left at the YMCA a few times and EACH time I educated them... other than that he has been left with me, hubs or I think an hour or so with one friend one time who had an intact son! Overprotective? YES, Necessary YES. :( But it is SO worth it to know that I didn't do cosmetic procedures on my little men for NO reason... :) There is a huge movement to get it off of tricare.. many states have already taken it off of medicaid.. If I have to FIGHT to get shots to keep me pregnant because medicaid didn't want to cover them then there is no way I am going to shut up about them covering cosmetic procedures! I was in danger of losing Mikey and they *didn't cover* my shots to keep me pregnant.. I DON'T think so! I fought them and won!

Callie - posted on 12/28/2010

I'm in Kansas and we are on TRICARE. I completely agree that it is a cosmetic procedure. Although apparently TRICARE will cover 1 cosmetic procedure. At least that's what I've been told but then again I get told all sorts of conflicting things. I have a girl but have already done some research on the subject. I'm just worried that if I have a boy it will be difficult to find a pedi that knows the proper care/handling for an intact boy (although our current pedi is amazing).

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

I have always heard to give it before the vaccine too.. never heard that it made it less effective.. vaccines are another thing we are researching and questioning now... we did skip the last set of shots the boys should have gotten while we decide.. nothing big.. just three year and one year shots that they would have gotten... I am thinking that they are not as safe as we are told they are.. I read studies that say that the vaccines and SIDS are not related (a new study /release from the CDC) but the inserts from the manufacturer clearly states that SIDS could be a side effect.. so yea... :( Then again the CDC says that cutting off healthy body parts is a way to decrease the risk of HIV.. I really can't trust ANYTHING they say.. the CDC is the only org that says circumcision has any benefit.. AAP, WHO, etc all say that it is a cosmetic surgery... Not sure where you all are located but many states here are pushing for TRICARE (military care) and MEDICAID (state health care for children and the low income) do NOT pay for circs any longer... a touchy subject for some.. but goes along with everything else lol :)

Callie - posted on 12/28/2010

Holly the link you posted was great. My parents always let us 'burn it off' when we were sick and I feel the same way (although my husband always brings up advil). This is kind of off topic. I don't know if you pro/anti vaccine family but for those that vaccinate here is some interesting info I found. Awhile back I stumbled upon a study about giving tylenol to children for fever and pain associated with immunizations. They found that giving tylenol to children to reduce their immunization related fever was causing the vaccine to be less/ineffective. My doctor doesn't suggest giving anything unless the fever spikes super high but I know some of my friends were told to give their children tylenol before going to the appointment.



I read the study in a medical journal but this site is condensed and much easier to understand

http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/...

Found it interesting and thought I would pass it on.

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

Drs are ALL about the medicine :) They get it handed to them and get cut backs (seriously) for pushing you on it. We did give three doses of motrin (all 8 + hours apart) when the fever hit 102 +.. like I said earlier.. it topped out at 104.7. Everyone was flipping out and screaming that I was neglecting him by not calling an ambulance and getting him to the er. To alleviate some brains I called the ER and asked them (even though I knew the answer) what they would do when we got there with a fever that high.. they told me they would give him motrin (check), a cool bath (check), wrap him up in cool towels (check) and observe him (check).. so why bother going there if I am already doing everything here? At 104+ you are in danger of the febrile seizures but as long as you know what to do with seizures being in the hospital itself isn't going to be a benefit there by being there. The thing with being a doctor is that they want to DO something.. they want to be ACTIVE, they want to be DOCTORING... they can't STAND to sit and WATCH! Just like they can't let you be in labor.. they have to do a c/s if you aren't going by *their* schedule.. I have become QUITE anti doctor and hospital here in the last few years. Too much Pharma doctoring going on :( I would rather do the homeopathic thing and at home stuff as much as possible. If I have another child I will be having it at home. My last delivery was an absolute nightmare. It was horrible and I feel like the nurse really abused her power and my position. She totally ruined any more deliveries ever for me :( If I am forced to have a hospital birth in the future it will be at a different hospital. She was the beginning of me questioning things... But anyway, I digress... sorry lol.. At fourteen months, are you still nursing? I suggest that for as long as possible.. if not any children's vitamin is good. I suggest one from a while foods type store (not necessarily that name brand but something earthy with organic food sales.. they will have some AWESOME vitamins for you : ) Just ask them what they recommend :) Are you doing whole milk or 2%? Some people say if you are doing milk you HAVE to do whole because the baby needs the fat content for brain development.. I don't believe that.. I think the whole milk is too "fatty" and leads to obesity.. but that's *my* opinion :)

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

so holly just checked out all links and have to say wow! you are a slew of info! so i am going to pump that brain of yours with a couple of things I've been thinking/obsessing about.
1. 14 months now. what do you rec re: vitamins. we live in grey toronto and they are going through a not eating big variety phase and do drink/eat cows milk
2. seriously, if you were in position of febrile worries would you really not medicate?! terrified not to!

3. just info...interesting called telehealth (free service nurse calls you back and gives info, not diagnoses but info). anyway she suggested the same about not medicating fevers unless certain point s builds up white blood cells and anti-bodies, etc. have asked 1 ped at sick kids hospital about this as well as my amazing gp and the ped at the children's urgent care clinic. they all scoffed at it!

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

I agree... with both links that I posted lol.. breastmilk (even if you have to get donated milk) is best for keeping them hydrated.. it has EVERYTHING they need in it.. without that (like for my three year old) I used pedialyte but from now on will be using that recipe for the home made stuff :) AWESOME :) The supplements are always good too. :) I am still nursing the baby so he just nursed throughout.. my three year old will drink pumped milk if hidden lol :) He thinks he is no longer a "baby" :) Except for when I want him to be a big boy.. lol :)

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

that fever link is great. interstingly, the babies were both premature (twins) and I was told to give them iron and another premie mix (like a multi) until they were a year old. I extended it jsut to finish off the bottles before switching them to something else and had recently stopped them. wondering bout the link it says to iron and fevers? what do you think?

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

ahhh another Nestle free momma :) HI :) They do pet food too.. did you know that? Juicy juice, gerber, pet food, water.. too much.. too crazy :( But the ONE thing that I really really really miss on the Nestle list... Butterfingers :*( I LOVE butterfingers.. they are the one thing on the Nestle list that I really and honestly miss! :(

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

worying as well about the amox as was just talking with friend about how they prescribe it for everything to kids. I'm giving a lot f probiotics but I know that has nothing to do with the resistance buildup.

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

shit tylenol is made by johnson and johnson. damn! try to boycott nestle and stay away from johnson which can be impossible as they are such an umbrella! anyway, whew on that one. yes, aspirin never.
seriously thanks so much for advice. really appreciate it. big time.

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

Wow talk about coincidence... here is an awesome post on fevers that was posted today by one of my trusted mommy pages :)

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/fever.ht...

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

absolutely! :) We refuse to buy name brand but especially johnson and johnson.. They have had TO many things recalled recently.. especially tylenols.. I won't risk it. :) Sorry for the confusion :)

Callie - posted on 12/28/2010

Thanks Holly. I was confused. LOL I thought my brain took a vacation and forgot to tell me. I always look on the package when I buy pain reliever. I usually buy generic brand because its the exact same ingredients for less money.

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

Hmm just did a search (through swagbucks which is awesome by the way.. holler if you want me to hook you up with it.. earn points for doing searches you do all the time and use the points to make purchases!!).. anyway.. I guess advil IS safe Callie :) Thanks :) So don't use motrin AND advil at the same time lol.. I have always classed Advil as asprin and not an ibuprofen but http://www.medicinenet.com/ibuprofen/art... says they are the same thing... hmmm thanks :) See.. I learned something too :)

Callie - posted on 12/28/2010

Holly~ I get why you're saying no Tylenol. I don't give acetaminophen either. But why is motrin ok but not advil? They are both ibuprofen. Or did I misread something?

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

yes :) Motrin no advil or tylenol :) Beware of the seizures... I agree... Try cool baths, the cool rag on his head or back, that type of stuff too :) The first thing some parents reach for is the medication :( You *probably* don't need any antibiotics for an ear infection either.. antibiotics and ear infections don't necessarily click... and you don't want to over use the antibiotics because if you ever DO need them you don't want the body to be resistant... A LOT (too many) drs prescribe them for ear infections and it just isn't recommended anymore... I also found a link about the flu shot which you were asking about originally too.. here it is :) Always here if you have questions :) I have six kids and two step kiddos so really btdt on a LOT of stuff :)

http://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2010/11/...

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

wow. thank you sooo much! I agree cold doesn't make them sick. it probably helps them heal when not terribly ill. fresh air and change of pace from housebound.

am terrified of another febrile seizure as his chances of having one is 30% higher now that one has occurred. I know it's paranoia but febrile seizures hit fast. a child could be sitting there ok then suddenly get a bit warm and it skyrockets and the seizure occurs. with the ear infection he's still a bit funky and I'm so worried that a touch of warm and it'll happen again.

will check the rehydration site ltr. thanks again. very helpful and supportive (and informative!).

sorry re: the meds are you saying quit with advil, motrin is better (in a nutshell)?

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

http://www.drmomma.org/2010/11/rehydrati...

BTW here is a Great link to some information on the best way to rehydrate a sick little one :(

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

Oh, BTW... taking the kids out in the cold is NOT NOT NOT what makes them sick.. exposing them to sick people is what makes them sick!!! We had to stand in a line in the cold right before the kids got sick.. of course EVERYONE blamed the standing in the cold for the reason they were sick. It couldn't *possibly* be the woman in front of us coughing all over them... Or the idjit that sneezed in her hand and grabbed the babies hand while chatting with him... or any of the other ways germs were spread in the 1000's of people that were in the crowd... nope, it was the cold.. UGH... sick people make kids sick.. not cold weather!

Holly - posted on 12/28/2010

You can alternate tylenol and motrin if you NEED to... why are you giving the tylenol? Is it for a fever? Surely the fever can't last for 7 days? One thing to remember is that the fever is fighting the ick... so.. don't treat unless the kiddo is feeling the effects of it. When my boys were sick we let the fever fight off the virus. We didn't even start motrin until the fever got over 102.5. Try cool baths, cool washrags on the back, wrap kiddo up in the towel they dried off with instead of clothes (the damp helps), that kind of stuff before you reach straight for the medicine bottle. If your child has a fever but is still playing and acting ok, let it ride. Only give meds for fever when the child is suffering. :)

Vicki - posted on 12/28/2010

thank you. will do. I like the tylenol/advil cause can do more than one if needed. so can I combine the motrin with anything? I am so clueless on this stuff.