4 Months Old!

This was originally written on Saturday, August 16, 2008:

I wanted to report how Logan's 4 month appt. with the pediatrician went. . Logan officially turns four months old on Monday! :)

Joe, Logan, and I went to the doctor's office last Wednesday and for the first time there were no negative surprises! The appointment went so fast I was like, wait a second, that's it?! Is this how most people's visits are?

I much preferred this trip to any other! Logan came out to be 17 lbs, 1/4 oz. and 25 inches long. That makes him in the 90th percentile as far as weight and 50th percentile as far as height. We asked if he was "too chubby." Our pediatrician was like "no way!" The chart is just based on the average, but from a medical standpoint at this age "bigger is better." It's the smaller babies doctors keep their eye on. So that was a relief. Our doctor was like, "He's a great, healthy eater, keep it up!" I'm sure if Logan could have understood he'd have been happy! :)

Ironically, though, my milk supply has been decreasing AGAIN lately (despite still taking fenugreek), so I'm pumping all day every day again to see if I can bring it back up. Whenever I go a week without pumping a bottle I notice that my supply goes down despite Logan still wanting more! I didn't think that was supposed to happen at this point. Also, now that I can go longer between pumps, it hurts when I do it, whereas it never used to--not even in the beginning. Needless to say, I used to think I could open my own milk bank, I had so much stored in my freezer, but now I can count how many storage containers are in there because I've had to use them. :-(

Back to Logan. . .his head is in the 10th percentile (where it was when he was born) but the doctor wasn't concerned about that, either, because it's still bigger than it was at his two-month check-up (even though at that time it was in the 30th percentile)--so as long as it keeps growing and stays consistant with where it usually is, that's good. (It measured 16 in. circumferance.)

I also asked about his bad dreams, which I mentioned in a previous post he has for over ten minutes! Our pediatrician said that is normal with some babies and it is a good time for them to learn how to calm down/relax themselves. So we aren't to wake him up or soothe him at this point. It's true that when he wakes up he seems to have no memory of it (as he is always happy in "real life") so it's strange!

Our pediatrician loved him--Logan kept smiling & laughing at him!!! He had Logan do all of the tests they make 4 month-olds do, and Logan passed all of them with flying colors (holding his head up, following him with good eye contact, grasping anything within his reach, standing with assistance, etc.) He said Logan was really strong.

I didn't know that you can start feeding 4 month-olds baby food if you want. . .we're going to wait another month, though, as there are less chance of allergies that way and more chance that his digestive system is completely developed. You can read more at the following link: Parenting iVillage

For vaccines, we split Logan's up again. (We're doing half at the standard times and waiting on the other half until after he's two. Other posts I wrote about vaccinations can be found here: One. Two. Three.)

There's a good book out by Robert W. Sears (one of the most respected & famous pediatricians in America), called The Vaccine Book: Making The Right Decision For Your Child. The reason why the book is good is because it's completely both sides. Most books are either one way or the other--vaccinate or don't vaccinate. But he gives an honest approach from a board-certified medical standpoint, explaining how to to tailor your child's shot schedule to minimize risks and satisfy state requirements, how common or rare, as well as how serious each disease is, what the vaccine ingredients are, which ones are controversial and why, what side effects might occur, how to recognize, treat and prevent side effects, which brands and types of vaccines are the safest, and what precautions unvaccinated children should take to stay healthy.

The day before Logan's appt. Joe and I read the book together and feel good about continuing our decision to do the same shots that we had done at two months old, rather than skipping them all or adding the others at this time.

For the vaccines that we didn't do, as I said in the linked post above that I labeled "three," skipping polio is because there hasn't been a U.S. citizen with the disease since the 1970's. The vaccine is made of monkey kidney cells, cow serum, and human blood proteins. The chance of Logan contracting the disease any time soon is pretty much 0.

For DTaP, the controversy is because it's made of a lot of chemicals. Aluminum, formaldehyde (which is toxic), and polysorbate (also toxic) just to name a few. The "P" in DTaP is for the disease pertussis, and when the entire germ is used in the vaccine, it often causes shock, seizures, and brain dysfunction. For the DT, Dr. Sears writes, "In truth, tetanus is not an infant disease, and virtually all cases occur in adults. Also, diphtheria is virtually nonexistent in the United States. So, one could create a logical argument that a baby could skip the tetanus and diphtheria shots for a few years and be just fine. This child could then get the tetanus series as a teenagers and the diphtheria shots before traveling the world. He could even get them together as the DT shot."

As with all of the diseases, statistics show that breastfed babies who don't attend daycare (i.e. Logan) are at very low risk of contracting them. Breast milk has antibodies that coat the lining of the nose, lungs, and intestines, so most germs that get inhaled or swallowed are killed.

Still, I read about the awful diseases, such as rotavirus, and know that I couldn't handle the possibility of Logan somehow contracting it. Rotavirus is the most common of any of these vaccinated diseases, affecting 2 million worldwide, with 1/2 million dying. There is no medication to treat it if you get it, aside from IV fluids to help with dehydration. Since it is most common in babies under a year old, that is why we chose to do that one now.

It's gross that the vaccination is a live virus (containing monkey kidney cells, fetal cow blood, polysorbate, and live, genetically altered organisms) with side effects that include seizures and intestinal complications--but if not vaccinated, Dr. Sears points out that at sometime in the child's life (unless you're planning to keep them home 24/7) he will contract it. "It's a matter of when will he catch it and how severe will it be." (Update: I must point out that I have since heard of several children in circles with people I know who have still contracted rotavirus despite being vaccinated, so it is not guaranteed your baby will not get it if given the shot. All of these babies recovered, although even with IV fluids they still weight.)

If I had to do it over again I probably wouldn't have given him the Hib. The reason why it's controversial is because the disease Hib is rare these days and treatable, and the vaccine contains aluminum. . .studies show that aluminum may lead to autism, ADD, hyperactivity, and other brain disorders. Fortunately, since we didn't get the DTaP at the same time, Logan received far less alumnium than the "average" child, which lowers his chance of having a toxic effect.

Meanwhile, the disease for the PC shot is common and can be very serious, but is treatable and also contains aluminum. I still would have had him get the PC since the disease most often occurs in infants, and just like the rotavirus is not a matter of if he'll get it, but when and how serious. I'd prefer not to play russian roulette to see how serious Logan would get it.

Fortunately, Logan showed no side effects from the vaccines at either two months or four months. (Probably a plus to being 17 lbs!) Last time he didn't even cry when he was given the shots; this time he did but was quickly quieted with milk. Neither time did he develop a fever, redness, or swelling which are common, although this time he pooped a lot which is common to get rid of the rotavirus (that's the live virus, given as an oral drink)--but I think that was a good sign because hopefully it's out of his system now. (He had 4 explosive diapers both on Thursday and Friday.) Some children also lose their appetite. . .but not Logan, LOL.

Still, I did the things that Dr. Sears recommends after giving your child vaccinations:

1) Breastfeed (since there has been controversy with vaccines making immune systems weaker, this is the #1 thing to do to make immune systems stronger!)

2) Minimize sugar and junk food (all doctors agree it weakens immune systems)

3) Minimize other chemical exposures (unfortunately, the amounts in vaccines are unavoidable at this time but we can control many in our environment)

4) Use omega-3 oil supplements (I recommend the DHA brand--I took them while pregnant and continue to while nursing)

5) Probiotics (these healthful bacteria live in our intestines. They play a critical role in regulating both our intestinal immune system and our internal immune system. Antibiotic use destroys these bacteria, leaving a child more susceptible to a host of illnesses and intestinal problems. Taking probiotics on a continuous basis can really do wonders for the immune system. I take the Duo-Dophilus brand.)

6) Fruits and vegetables (can help prevent infectious diseases and may limit vaccine reactions)

7) Vitamin A (helps with neurologic health; protects brain from vaccine side effects)

8) Vitamin C (helps boost the immune system and may decrease vaccine side effects; I've been giving this to him every day this week.)

Speaking of the litte guy, he's awake from his nap so this will be it from me for a while!