Milkbank Blog
Time for baby’s 4-month check-up…and the dreaded shots!
Last week I took my baby to the doctor’s office for her four month check up. For expectant mothers out there, here’s a couple of tips. Never arrive at the doctor’s office early and make sure you prepare yourself for the loud and short cry when your baby gets poked with needles!
After waiting for about forty minutes, the nurse came and got us and led us to a room. She did the initial weighing in. Boy has she grown! She is now 15 lbs and is 25 1/2 inches long showing that she is in the 90% percentile. Next up was the doctor. After she asked general questions and checked over the baby’s body, it was time for the dreaded shots. At this visit the baby received vaccinations for Rotavirus, Polio, and Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV).
When I first brought the baby home from the hospital I debated briefly on whether I should even get her vaccinated. Even though my 3-year-old son has gotten all his necessary shots, I still was not sure for about a week. Then I thought about my mother. My mother grew up in a very wealthy household but even money couldn’t buy medicine that didn’t exist in the 1930′s. My mother’s mother died when she was 7 years old. In the same week her grandmother died too. Both were stricken with pneumonia. I couldn’t imagine that happening to me. I believe her early childhood experiences has made her the strong woman she is now. Thinking about my mother and her losses just made me feel lucky to be able to give the children their shots and to have health insurance to do it.
So why did I have doubts about vaccinating in the first place? I was reading a post about Jenny McCarthy blaming the MMR vaccine for her 6-year-old son Evan’s autism. I also wondered if children can attend school if they are not vaccinated. A Cafemom post says you don’t have to . In some states, you have the option of being exempted from vaccination or re-vaccination if you show proof of existing immunity. You can read more about it on the National Vaccine Information Center web site.
In conclusion, I am happy that I am giving the baby her shots and for other parents who don’t wish to, it is their decision.
One Comment to “Time for baby’s 4-month check-up…and the dreaded shots!”
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Mine aren’t but I’m really glad you feel positive about your decision. In the end ‘mummy knows best’ heartwrenching isn’t it, all these decisions for our babes