As a parent who embraces a natural lifestyle, my children proudly wear amber necklaces—a symbol among like-minded mothers that says, “I’m all about that crunchy granola vibe.” We embrace many holistic practices: I’m still nursing my nearly 3-year-old and nursed my other two children until they were 3 and 4 years old. I even helped nurse other mothers’ babies. We prioritize organic foods, enjoy a family bed arrangement with a queen mattress alongside a twin, and I wholeheartedly believe in the gut-healing benefits of Kombucha. Our affinity for coconut oil alone would likely place us among the top 1% of the “crunchy” crowd.
But here’s the thing: while I identify as a free spirit, my kids are fully vaccinated—and they will remain up to date throughout their lives.
There’s a common misconception that those of us who embrace a natural lifestyle would never consider vaccinating our children. Many free spirits harbor a fear of chemicals, often viewing anything labeled as “chemical” with suspicion, from simple water to more complex substances. There’s a tendency to avoid synthetic additives, influenced by a general distrust of the conventional medical community, which we often believe is too closely tied to big pharmaceutical companies and dismissive of alternative medicine.
Nevertheless, it’s entirely possible to be deeply committed to natural living and still trust in the remarkable work of pioneers like Jonas Salk. The tiny shots that protect us from serious diseases are nothing short of miraculous. Initially, my partner and I were skeptical about vaccines, echoing sentiments from figures like Dr. Sears. We worried about the number of vaccinations given too early and wanted to space them out. We believed that reducing the number of vaccines administered at once would lessen the perceived risk of “chemical overload,” allowing a child’s body to process them more effectively.
Understanding Vaccination Concerns
Let’s unpack this a bit. We feared that the current vaccination schedule overwhelmed infants, potentially leading to harmful build-up of vaccine adjuvants, particularly affecting neurological health. By opting to space out vaccinations, we thought we could allow the body to handle one dose at a time.
Yet, what we discovered was enlightening. Many of the man-made additives we fear are actually safe in the quantities included in vaccines. Take aluminum, for example: yes, in large amounts it can be harmful, but the aluminum content in vaccines is lower than that found in a liter of infant formula or breast milk. Similarly, formaldehyde is used in vaccines to inactivate viruses, but the remaining amounts are significantly less than what naturally occurs in a newborn’s body.
Moreover, the notion that children today receive more vaccines than previous generations is simply not accurate. Children today receive fewer antigens than they did in 1980—dropping from approximately 3,041 to about 153. This means their immune systems aren’t as overwhelmed as we might think.
After thorough research from credible, peer-reviewed sources—not from alternative health influencers like Dr. Mercola—we concluded that vaccines are safe. While I acknowledge that vaccine injuries do occur, I believe the numbers are exaggerated by some alternative health advocates. Ultimately, the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of the diseases they prevent.
The Risks of Not Vaccinating
Consider this: I was once invited to a chickenpox party, which I declined. According to immunize.org, prior to the chickenpox vaccine, around 150,000 to 200,000 people annually suffered complications, and about 100 died from the disease. The CDC notes serious complications, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, and I refuse to expose my children to such risks. The vaccine offers a far safer alternative to the disease itself, so my kids received their vaccinations—even if it wasn’t a pleasant experience, it was infinitely better than facing serious illness or death.
You can genuinely seek natural options for your children while still advocating for vaccinations. You can fill your home with handcrafted toys, brew your Kombucha, and still recognize the importance of vaccines for both individual and community health. I’m a free spirit who has done the research, and I wholeheartedly support vaccinations.
For more insights on home insemination and related topics, check out this blog post. If you’re looking for authoritative information on home insemination techniques, visit Make A Mom. Additionally, CCRM IVF provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, being a free spirit doesn’t mean forsaking the health of my children. Thorough research assures me that vaccinations are safe and necessary, allowing me to harmonize my values with the well-being of my family.