Will you give your toddler the flu and/or swine flu vacine?

Nancy - posted on 09/16/2009

Also...I forgot to mention...I have heard from several doctors on the news recently that those that take Vitamin D on a daily basis in the form of supplements could boost their immune system and possibly fight off the flu bug. Previously, 400-800 IUs was believed to be sufficient but recent research has seemed to point more towards 1000-2000 IU's per adult. I would do more research on this for children because it could be toxic in higher doses.

Nancy - posted on 09/16/2009

I fully agree with and support the latest comments!!! I believe that it is every parent's duty to do what they believe is right for their child as well as do research, like Ashley pointed out. I will not be getting the H1N1 shot myself, nor will my daughter. I believe there is a lot of hype out there about the H1N1 strain and it is not been fully researched. You have to just go by your gut and research and then you can feel confident in your decision!

Ashley - posted on 09/15/2009

Non of my family will be getting either the regular or the H1N1 vaccine. We don't get the flu shot... we used to and we would all end up sick within 24 hours... Haven't for 3 years and we haven't had the flu in 3 years... We will DEF. not be getting the H1N1 mainly because we don't get many vaccines, but also beacuse I personally don't think it's been out long enough to see the side effects. People don't know the long term effects because it's so new. I believe following the proper precautions and keeping our bodies and immune systems healthy will keep us in the clear :) We haven't had any cases in our county yet, but if we do and it ends up in our schools I will keep my school aged children home until things clear up, and I don't care how long that takes.... I am a firm believer that if you take good care of your body(really take care of it, not just choose baked potatoe chips over fried) then your body will take care of you :DD



If someone chooses to get their child vaccinations, I won't knock them... But I feel that it is every parent's duty to put time and research into every decision we make for our children. At least that way you can make an informed decision, no matter what it may be :)

Tiffany - posted on 09/14/2009

no, for either flu shot. even tho H1N1 is rampant here, i dont do flu shots, and wont make my son either. everyone I know that gets the flu shots, immediately gets the flu... no thanks!

Shelley - posted on 09/14/2009

Hi Silja:

In general, I prefer to keep things as natural as possible and allow my son to get his immune system stronger. We did give him (and will continue) to give him all teh necessary shots as recommended by our very trusted pediatrician. Last year we didn't give him the flu shot, however, this year, since he started day care and since there's a bigger craze about it, he's definitely going to get the flu shot (including the H1N1.)

To respond to the comments below, my son eats well, sleeps well, and gets lots and lots of love -- but he still gets sick sometimes (though he bounces back - thank G-d -- pretty quickly) We also stay very atuned to his needs and changes in his temperture or any other changes that give signs of flu/cold and address them accordingly. There's lots of research for and against any decision you will try to make about your children (vaccinations...co/sleeping... etc.) -- you have to do what feels right to you in your gut about your children (after doing all the research of course :-)).

May all our children be healthy and happy.

Kim - posted on 09/12/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

i'd like to get my daughter both of them, but she will definately get the flu shot this year, hopefully she can get the H1N1 vaccine.

I wonder if you do some research into these vaccine's that you would still give your daughters the shots?

Kim - posted on 09/12/2009

Quoting Danielle:

Do the flu shot, my son got it last year. although the day he got the shot, he got sick, but the rest of the year he was fine. I strongly recommend it! All 3 of my babies get it!

each to there own opinion....I stongly don't recommend it. Getting sick is a way our bodies build anitbodies naturally. People are scared by the media and all the hype of the swine flu...it's the flu, we all get sick....let's talk about the real issues like eating well, good environment, love and no Toxins....

Megan - posted on 09/11/2009

we only do the mandatory shots, my oldest son cannot have certain shots because of egg allergies so we dont really bother with extra shots if they arent totally necessary.



if the benefits of the shots outweighed the negative side effects we would think about it. I prefer to let a childs own immune system handle things, if there is an outbreak of something we give them extra vitamines and minerals to help them out and give it too them until they are over it (at the moment I am taking vitamin C and D to fight off the viral infection I have and its helping a lot, the first day was horrible but now I can breathe better and am feeling much better)



It bothers me that when it comes to the flu shot the experts basically do guesswork on which strain they feel will be the worse, I just dont like the odds when even the experts dont know for sure if you know what I mean.



My 18 mth old is already going in in a few days to get his next shots and to be honest I would rather have to give him only the necessary things than piling things into his system.



None of my kids have ever gone to the hospital because of complications from the flu but I believe that is because we help their bodies to fight things off the way the body is meant to. the only time we give meds is when their fever is too high or if my daughter cant sleep because of her asthma, she has never had more than one regular dose of her asthma meds in a 24 hr time period while she is sick and doesnt need it otherwise.



My 18 mth old has an excellent immune system (he gets over things so fast i almost wish I had his immune system!)



We have four kids in the house and one on the way, each child gets something just slightly during the next and each gets over it (almost like a chain of command!) so we already know who needs what when. We keep an eye out for the symptoms and play it by ear. We feed them light meals if their stomach hurts or they throw up, we have alternate ways to bring down a fever, some pedialyte for dehydration, and some good ol' tlc and vitamins and minerals, all work wonders!



We are also teaching our kids how to sneeze and cough in their elbows, and how to wash their hands when needed.

Jennifer - posted on 09/10/2009

i'd like to get my daughter both of them, but she will definately get the flu shot this year, hopefully she can get the H1N1 vaccine.

Danielle - posted on 09/10/2009

Do the flu shot, my son got it last year. although the day he got the shot, he got sick, but the rest of the year he was fine. I strongly recommend it! All 3 of my babies get it!