Required Vaccine Schedules 101

I know it’s absolutely uncomfortable, and sometimes downright painful, to watch your sweet baby get stuck with a needle - and even worse to hear the inevitable crying. It almost seems as if they are asking, with shaking lower lip and big crocodile tears, why you abandoned them and allowed that mean doctor or nurse to poke holes in their sweet, chunky, little thighs.

I know that it can be a heart-wrenching few moments, and even a difficult couple of nights at times, but immunizations are crucial for your baby's health.

With the ongoing controversy that surrounds the mandatory vaccines for children in the US today, it isn't any wonder why there is so much misleading, and some downright incorrect, information floating around on the internet and new lately. But one thing is absolutely certain - Vaccines have, and will continue to, save thousands of lives every year by preventing some of the worst, yet avoidable, infectious diseases.

Understand that even if your baby is very sick, your pediatrician can probably still modify the immunization schedule to meet your circumstances - vaccines are THAT important. Otherwise, if baby is healthy, then baby should get vaccinated on a regular basis.

Though some children do suffer mildly uncomfortable reactions to some vaccines, very few actually become seriously ill or suffer from adverse effect, and most pediatricians will reassure you that the benefits of having the antibodies from the immunizations (needed to fight those nasty infections) far outweigh the risks of any possible reaction your child might have to the shots.

So, from what diseases, exactly, do these shots protect your baby? I've taken some time to cull all the doctor lingo and medical jargon to a simplified, easy to understand list with information straight from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

1. Hepatitis B Vaccine (HepB)
This 3-4 series vaccine prevents Hepatitis B, a chronic  liver disease that leads to organ failure and sometimes even cancer. The first dose of this series should be given before your baby is even discharged from the hospital after birth. The second dose would happen between 1 and 2 months of age - usually at your baby's 6-8 week wellness visit. If, for some reason, your baby doesn’t get the vaccine at the hospital (whether there were health reasons involved, or you simply declined to give it at this time), they will require three separate doses -- usually at their first wellness visit post-discharge from hospital, 4-month wellness visit and 6-month wellness visit -- NOTE: The final dosage should be administered no earlier than the 6-month visit for ongoing immunity to be effective.

However, if mom is HepB (HBsAg) positive, baby should get the vaccine - plus a HepB immuno globulin - within 12 hours of birth, then move on to receive the three more doses of vaccine between 9 and 18 months. They should also be tested for HepB and the antibody one to two months after completion of all dosages.

Possible side effects: Brief soreness at injection site and some crankiness can be expected if a mild fever develops.


2. Rotavirus Vaccine (RV)
 Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in infants and small children, and can cause severe dehydration if not treated properly. This vaccine, however, is not an injection - it is taken orally.Baby will normally receive this immunization between 2  and 6 months of age, in two to three doses, depending on the brand of vaccine the pediatricians office utilizes.

Possible side effects: Fussiness from stomach discomfort, and some children may present mild, temporary diarrhea or  vomiting.


3. Diphtheria &Tetanus Toxoids with Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP)
This immunization is a combo vaccine to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

In the past, diphtheria was a major cause of childhood illness and death. Now, it only presents a few cases a year in the US, thanks to this vaccine. It is a serious bacterial infection affecting the mucous membranes of your nose and throat. It typically causes a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, and muscle weakness. But the textbook sign is a sheet of thick, gray matter covering the back of the throat, which can block the airway, causing baby to struggle for breath.

Tetanus is a serious bacterial disease that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle contractions, particularly of the jaw and neck muscles. Tetanus can interfere with the  ability to breathe and, ultimately, can lead to respiratory failure. Tetanus is commonly known as "lockjaw," and currently has no cure.

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection that is marked by a severe, hacking cough followed by a high-pitched intake of breath that sounds like "whoop." Before this vaccine was created, pertussis was considered only a childhood disease. However, whooping cough primarily affects children too young to have completed the full course of vaccinations, as well as teenagers and adults whose immunity has faded. Deaths associated with whooping cough are rare but most commonly occur in infants. That's why it's so important for pregnant women — and other people who will have close contact with an infant — to be vaccinated against whooping cough regularly as the season approaches.

Baby will receive this vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, then again between 15 and 18 months, and lastly between 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Tenderness, swelling, & redness at injection site; mild to moderate (and rarely severe) fever; loss of appetite within two days of receiving the shot. Out of all the vaccines, this is the most common one that leads to allergic reactions. Many adults opt not to receive any further boosters once the initial doses are completed.


4. Haemophilus Influenzae Type B Conjugate Vaccine (Hib)
“Hib” disease, which you probably haven’t heard of, is VERY harmful. Hib was once the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children before this vaccine was created. Children diagnosed with Hib can suffer permanent brain damage & cause life-threatening illnesses, such as meningitis, which affects the brain; epiglottitis, which affects the throat and can lead to death by self-suffocation; pericarditis, which affects the lining of the heart; pneumonia, which affects the pockets in the lungs; and septic arthritis, which affects the bones and joints. Baby will received this vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, then lastly between 1 year and 15 months.

Possible side effects: Fever, redness and/or tenderness at the site of the injection.


5. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria which leads to pneumonia, can be serious and even lead to death. It can cause blood infections, ear infections, meningitis and bacterial pneumonia in children. This vaccine protects children for their first three years, when they are at their most vulnerable to the disease. Baby will receive this vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, and will be given a booster given between 1 year and 15 months.

Possible side effects: Low-grade fever, redness, tenderness at injection site


6. Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
Poliomyelitis (Polio) was once a widespread epidemic that killed and paralyzed thousands of people. Polio is a contagious viral infection that, in its most severe form, causes paralysis, difficulty breathing, and sometimes death. In the U.S., the last case of naturally-occurring polio was diagnosed in 1979. Today, despite a concerted global eradication campaign, poliovirus continues to affect children and adults in many Asian & African countries. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises taking precautions to protect against this virus, if you're traveling anywhere there's a risk of polio. Immunity after a booster dose, you may opt to receive in adulthood, lasts a lifetime. Baby will receive this vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, 6 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Soreness or redness near the site of injection; an allergic reaction to certain ingredients in the vaccine very rarely occurs


7. Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (Flu shot)
The flu - which, according to the CDC, is more dangerous to children than the common cold, has several strains included in each yearly vaccine (H1N1, H3N2 and the influenza B virus). Baby should begin receiving this vaccine annually, from age 6 months upward.

Possible side effects: Fever, aches, soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given


8. Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
Measles, mumps and rubella are dangerous diseases that can cause rashes and fevers and that can lead to serious conditions like pneumonia, meningitis, seizures and deafness. Baby should receive one dose at 12 to 15 months and a second booster dose at 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Mild rash, slight fever, joint aches, swelling in neck and salivary glands a week or two after receiving the shot. Of all the vaccines, this one is the most likely to cause a fussy, feverish baby for the first 24 hours.


9. Varicella Vaccine
Varicella, commonly known as Chicken pox, does not always prevent the illness, as some people that get the vaccine may still get chicken pox, but it’s usually very mild and the recovery time is faster than naturally contracting the virus. The risks of chicken pox are fever and a severe rash that can last up to 3 weeks. Complications from chicken pox include a bacterial infection of the skin, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia. Many states now require children to get the vaccine before entering school because of these adverse effects. The vaccine is now recommended because it results in shorter and milder illness if your child does get chicken pox and less time missed from school - plus it prevents against those severe infections. Youre child will normally received the first dose at 1 year to 15 months and a second dose at 4 to 6 years.

Possible side effects: Soreness or swelling at the injection site, mild fever, rash, & uncommonly onset of chicken pox in mild form.


10. Hepatitis A Vaccine (HepA)
This protects against Hepatitis A, a disease that causes liver inflammation. Young children may not have symptoms, so often the disease is not recognized until the child’s caregiver becomes ill themselves. Baby will commonly receive the first dose at 1 to 2 years and a second dose six months after.

Possible side effects: Soreness at the injection site, headache, loss of appetite, tiredness


11. Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Quadrivalent (MCV4)
Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis & blood infections. Infants younger than one year old and college freshmen who live in dormitories are most susceptible, due to vulnerable immune systems & communal living, respectively. The vaccine protects against this bacterial disease.
It is recommended for high-risk children between the ages of 9 months to 2 years old to get two doses. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended for children and adolescents between the ages of 11 and 18 years old (the first at 11 or 12 years and a booster at 16 years). Most universities require this vaccine before enrollment is completed.

Possible side effects: Redness and soreness at the injection site; very few people can develop a fever.


I hope this enlightens you to the required vaccine schedule for your child - as I remember having many questions about this as a new parent. The bottom line, to me, states that vaccines are not dangerous, volatile poisons made from dead babies & mercury. They are life-saving medicines that allow us to remain one of the countries with the lowest mortality rates from these above illnesses.

Do the right thing - vaccinate your babies if they are medically stable, and continue the cycle of keeping this country free from these infectious diseases!

Disposable Diapering 101

Diaper Comparisons: Which is Best?

So, I have spent the first 6 months of Milo's life testing out several different brands of diapers. From the typical, mainstream disposable, to the eco-friendly organic model, even the cheapest of the cheap off-brand kind that comes in bulk at your local warehouse store - I have sampled quite a few. Thankfully, my son's bottom is pretty tolerant to the flip-flopping, or I would be writing a blog post on the best types of diaper rash ointment and unscented lotions (which I might do anyway, since the skin on the rest of his body is pretty jacked - like mother, like son!). But I digress...all diapers are not created equal.

1. Pampers - Size Newborn, 1, & 2 

We'll begin our tour with the hands-down most popular brand of disposable diapers out there. Marketed by Proctor & Gamble, Pampers offers five different styles of diapers: Swaddlers, Swaddlers Sensitives, Baby Dry, Baby Dry - Extra Protection, & Cruisers.

Swaddlers ($0.33/ea) are the the style that most hospitals default to for their newborn nurseries. Decorated with Sesame Street characters & sporting a yellow-to-blue wetness indicator, they are also the most popular style for the mainstream mom - leading the market as the #1 diaper choice for moms per Ranker.com. Milo used these exclusively in the first month of his life, and we rarely ever had a problem with leaks, and never had a rash. All around, these were the diaper to beat, as we had zero complaints for the Newborn size. However, when we transitioned into the Size 1 diapers, I noticed that the sticky tabs broke off more easily, essentially rendering a diaper useless, lest you decide you want to use actual Scotch tape on your baby's disposable, which is super ghetto, but not something I was above, as we were on a budget and every penny counted. In my opinion, the Swaddlers were not long enough in the stride for Milo, as he was long-torso-ed and short legged, so to get a longer diapers, the leg-holes got deeper and we ended up with leakage issues. When he finally transitioned to Size 2's we had to wrap him up like a taco to get them to stay on, crossing the sticky tabs over one another, which threatens an insecure closure. Swaddlers are offered in sizes Preemie through Size 6. 

Swaddlers Sensitives ($0.35/ea) are much the same as Swaddlers, however, they are thinner and made of hypoallergenic materials with a touch of aloe for those babies with extra sensitive skin. The have the same wetness indicator, but are only offered in sizes Newborn through Size 4. They work much the same way as the regular Swaddlers, though I found them slightly less absorbent. This made them ideal for daytime use, but not for overnight protection. We only used these in Size 1 & 2, so I can't speak to the Newborn sizes. 

Baby Dry ($0.38/ea) diapers tout their 3-layer absorbency & claim to be the best for overnight protection and for children with larger urine volume.They have a wider UltraAbsorb layer that is supposed to cover more area and guarantee up to 12 hours of overnight protection, but I didn't notice a huge difference -and honestly, who doesn't' change their baby for 12 hours??? One drawback that I see to this style is that they do not have the wetness indicator, which was a nice convenience to smushing the front of the diaper to check manually. This style is offered in Size 1 through Size 6, so not for the newborns here. 

Baby Dry - Extra Protection ($0.54/ea) are a step further from regular Baby Dry, and this just equates to a super bulky diaper for me. These are their solution to travel diapers - suggesting they will hold up to 14 hours of waste. That's just crazy - someone actually left a poor baby in the diaper for 14 hours waiting for a leak or rash. These have extra UltraAbsorb pockets that wick away moisture faster. I just found that they made Milo's diapers sag and threaten to fall off. These are offered in Size 3 through Size 6. Also - Expensive!

Cruisers ($0.46/ea) are the one style which we haven't tried yet, as they only come in Size 3 through Size 7, as they are meant for crawling and activity - claiming to be the strongest diaper to withstand even the most acrobatic and aerobic of toddlers. These run a little on the big side, so we weren't comfortable leaving him in them and risking a rash, so we have some on standby for when he's a little bigger. 

Drawbacks: They are a little short in the stride for the transition sizes, and that can lead to leaks. They also have extremely fragile closure tabs, which lead to wasting diapers, or the diaper coming unfastened during wear. 

2. Huggies - Sizes Newborn, 1, & 2

The 2nd most popular brand of disposable diapers for mainstream moms, Huggies is marketed by Kimberly-Clark, and offers five different styles: Little Snugglers, Little Movers, Snug & Dry, Overnites, and Pure & Naturals. 

Little Snugglers ($0.30/ea): formerly Gentle Care and originally Supreme, these diapers are designed for newborn infants. These are the answer to Pampers Swaddlers, and function much the same way. These offer an umbilical cord cut-out specifically for newborns, & sport Winnie the Pooh characters on the waist and butt. These diapers are definitely more fluffy & cottony than their Pampers competitor, but they do not seem to be as absorbent. The leg holes are much wider than Pampers, and we suffered many leaks with this style. Also, they give off a very strange smell when Milo would urinate, and you could pretty much smell it the moment he did. There was no odor protection to speak of, unfortunately, because they were cute. I also found that the fasteners were not tacky and sticky like the Pampers diapers, but were more like a Velcro closure with the fuzzy waistband. These are offered in sizes Preemie through Size 5. 

Little Movers ($0.57/ea):  formerly known as Natural Fit and Supreme, were originally designed for infants who have outgrown Little Snugglers. However, once they upped the sizing on the Snugglers, they reformulated this style and market them now toward the crawling, active baby. They even have a slip on version for potty-training toddlers. They have double-grip strips for a stronger fit, as well as Leak-Lock for up to 12 hours of protection. They also claim that they are the only diaper on the market with the SnugFit waistband that grows and moves with baby for extra flexibility. These are offered in Size 3 through Size 6. 

Snug & Dry ($0.26/ea): Formerly known as Ultratrim, these are marketed with the "LeakLock" feature, which is claimed to capture higher volumes of urine to prevent leaks. These are very similar to Little Snugglers, but have a different design and are not quite as cottony to the touch. These are the equivalent to Pampers Baby Dry, and are the better diaper for overnight protection. They are offered in Size 1 through Size 6.

Overnites ($0.39/ea): These are designed to absorb nighttime leaks, an upgrade from Snug & Dry. They also happen to be the #1 overnight diaper on the market, as they are definitely a super-absorbent diaper compared to the others. The only drawback is that these are only offered in Size 3 through Size 6, so they are not accessible to the Newborn crowd. 

Pure & Naturals ($0.36/ea): this style was introduced in 2009, and marketed as an environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional Huggies diaper. Hypoallergenic with a touch of Aloe & Vitamin E, the liners are made from all renewable materials. These are offered in Size Newborn through Size 5, & are a great version of the G-diaper for those crunchy moms out there. 

Drawbacks: They have a strange odor with wet diapers; the leg holes are too wide for my taste, and the ruffles stick out of clothes, since they are so big!

3. Luvs: Size 1 & 2 - ($0.20/ea)

Also created by Proctor & Gamble, Luvs was sold as a "deluxe" brand in the late 1980's. Since 1994, however, it's been sold as a budget brand, nearly a dollar cheaper than their sister brand, Pampers. Unlike the other brands, Luvs is only offered in one style, which comes in sizes Newborn through Size 6. Despite this lack of options, they remain the #1 budget brand of diaper on the market, as well as the #3 overall in popularity in the disposable category. Their claim to fame, besides being cheaper, is their 'refastenable' closure tabs. They also have absorbency pockets, leak-guard, and a soft, cottony feel - and claim to be more absorbent than Huggies. They are very light-weight, have a cute purple design on the outside, and are definitely easy on your bank account. They also have a 30 day money-back guarantee, in case they aren't for you. They have a ton of coupons, sweepstakes, and offers constantly ongoing through their website. 

Drawbacks: There is no wetness indicator, and these are definitely not overnight diapers. They are too flimsy, and, though very absorbent, had a tendency to get heavy and fall off in the night if Milo urinated a lot. 

4. Babyganics: Size 1 - ($0.44/ea)

Babyganics is a moderately-priced "green" diaper that prides itself on being "baby safe" and 100% organic. Coming in sizes Newborn through Size 6, they stuff a ton of them in one pack, so you are definitely getting a lot of diapers for your buck. However, these diapers are notoriously leaky and extremely short in the stride. I could not find a size that fit Milo correctly - he leaked out the legs, back, and front. I couldn't even use all the diapers, as they surprisingly made him break out in a rash. This was the ONLY brand that did this to him - and it claims to be organic, chlorine-free, plant-based, and latex-free. In my opinion, you could definitely find a better g-diaper in this price range that doesn't have the same leakage issues. 

Drawbacks: It has a very weak leak score, and very average absorption. Babyganics failed to impress me. It is a wonderful idea that is poorly executed. Babyganics is a diaper I do not recommend.

5. Earth's Best: Size 1  - ($0.36/ea)

Marketed by The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Earth's Best are marketed as being made with renewable resources and fewer petro-chemicals to reduce your baby's environmental footprint. Chlorine, latex, perfume, and dye-free, and they have a good price for quality green diaper. The diapers have a slightly waxy feel to outer cover, and they have lower absorbency score than many other brands, but thy are definitely on the cheaper end of g-diapers, if that is a deal-breaker for you. They are offered from Newborn through Size 6. 

Drawbacks: I am not a huge fan, as they have a very papery feel to them, and are very starchy - not flexible enough for my wiggly baby. They are okay as far as absorbency goes, but they leak pretty badly, since they aren't flexible. This is everything I don't like about g-diapers. 

6. Up & Up: Size 1 - ($0.14/ea)

Target's off-brand disposable is actually one of my favorites. They are extremely cheap, eco-friendly, chlorine and latex-free, & have cute little patterns on the waistbands. They are very similar to Luv's, however, they are a little bit lower absorbency. But hey, you get what you pay for! These are definitely the best for the price you are paying. They were just the right size for Milo and are a great transition between sizes. They are my favorite off-brand diaper, by far. Containing aloe and Vitamin D, they are made from pure cotton and wood fluff pulp, and are free of all petroleum-based agents - so are completely hypoallergenic. These are the best if you are on a budget! They are offered in size Newborn through Size 6. 

Drawbacks: Due to the thin nature of them, they are a little more prone to leaks than the average name-brand disposable diaper, but I didn't find them any more leaky than Luv's or Huggies. And...no wetness indicator. 

7. White Cloud: Size Newborn & 1 - ($0.17/ea)

White Cloud is an inexpensive diaper that it did not score well for me. Marketed by Wal-Mart, though they are perfume-free, there wasn't a whole lot to be desired from these diapers. Much like Babyganics, the sizing was all wrong, and they leaked like crazy. They didn't seem to be too comfortable either - very flimsy and cheap. Available in sizes Newborn through Size 6. 

Drawbacks: Pretty much everything about this diaper is a con, except for the price. Good if you are in emergency need of a pack of diapers and all the other stores are closed, I guess. 

8. Seventh Generation: Size Newborn & 1 - ($0.38/ea)

While Seventh Generation Free & Clear is a green diaper with well-known brand name recognition, it wasn't a huge favorite of mine. Given the popularity of the brand, I thought the diaper would perform better than it did. While the core of these diapers is bleach and chlorine-free, the rest of the diaper is no more green that a Pampers Swaddler. Hypoallergenic they may be, they give off a funny smell with urine. 

Drawbacks: Leaks all over the place, more expensive than competitor g-diapers, gives off a funny smell, & not as green as they claim to be. No wetness indicators, either. 

9. Honest Company: Size 1 & 2 - ($0.41/ea)

I am completely on-board with the stated mission that Honest Company markets, and consider their diapers to be a legitimately green brand. The Honest diaper offers adorable graphics of your choice, and are legitimately a health-friendly, and eco-friendly, brand. They even have a free-trial period where they send you 1 package of wipes and 8 diapers to test out. I will say one thing, the extra cash you pay for these is definitely worth the amazing absorbency these diapers have. They hold more than any other diaper we have ever tried, and they fit so well. They have maximum coverage on the hip, so you avoid leaks through the leg and out the front. The absorbency strip is longer than any other diaper we have sampled, as well. These are the diapers that Milo currently uses, as you can order a 6-8 weeks supply online, and it comes in the print and size of your choice, and comes in a bundle with 4 packages of wipes. 

Drawbacks: They are a bit pricier than the other diapers, though not the train-wreck that is Babyganics. They do take a little getting used to, as they are a true green diaper and have odor control based from the natural citrus scents. A lot of people complain about the "honesty" of the company, as their free-trial requires you sign up for the auto-order program, but if you read the fine print you would know that. Just call them up and cancel it before your next order. The customer service does have very long wait times, depending on when you try to call, but they are always very helpful once you do get someone on the line. Also, no wetness indicator on these, either. 

Whatever the brand you choose - these are just a few of the more popular picks that I sampled on my journey to find that balance between low price and high quality. If I had to choose my top 3, they would be Honest Company, Pampers Swaddlers, and Up & Up. 

New in Town

Hey there - the name's Raven. Welcome to Mommy Honza's first blog post. Not sure if this blogging thing will ever really take off, but it's definitely something to fill the time between feedings, naps, diaper changes, and the never ending cycle of laundry.

This will probably end up being a huge anthology of lists - because that's something I know I rock at - making lists. It's therapeutic and helps me collect all those stray thoughts that keep me from losing my marbles every day. I am probably a tad OCD, but really, what can you do?

So, if you know me, heard about me from a friend, or just happened to be someone who stumbled upon my trove of mindless babble, I hope you find at least something that might be useful to your time. God bless!