Parent like a pediatrician: What stood out to us
Vaccines have (unfortunately) become a highly politicized topic, but Dr. Diamond does not waver from her fact-based approach in discussing the scientific benefits of the current immunization schedule for children. Importantly, she encourages parents to ask critical questions about what goes into their childrens’ bodies, especially with the wealth of misinformation and confusion surrounding vaccines. This is not the place for shame or guilt; her intent is to present accurate information so that parents can feel empowered in the decisions they’re making.
Here are the two most important key takeaways:
1. Vaccines are the safest and most important public health intervention since clean drinking water and citywide sanitation. [Editor’s note - it’s a bold claim. She pays it off.]
2. They are given at times when it makes the most sense for little baby bodies to get them: before they are likely to see the disease and at a time when their body can mount a sufficient response, with boosters as needed to keep them protected. All the components are safe. There is no risk of overwhelming your baby’s immune system. There is nothing “better” about getting terrible and preventable diseases “naturally.”
Dr. Diamond takes the opportunity to address commonly held vaccine myths and misconceptions one at a time, relying on statistically significant research and data to explain why these beliefs are untrue or misleading. In her response to the belief that “Natural Is Better” (parents are concerned that vaccinations are “chemical,” “toxic,” and “artificial”), she breaks down the components of vaccines to explain what they do and why they’re not harmful. I nerded out on this part.
As she says in the book, “there continues to be a criminal amount of compelling but false propaganda out there that is only growing in volume; and this…is the rare example of when we, as doctors, do have a great, straightforward, 100% evidence-based answer where one option is actually the only right one.”
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Of all the (many) parenting books we’ve read, this one stands out as a digestible, actionable, and realistic source of information. As Dr. Diamond writes, it’s “all the facts, none of the fear”. She even provides an interactive version of all the citations and sources she references throughout the book, so if you’re feeling iffy or curious about any of the information, you can check it out for yourself.
In short, we highly recommend reading, bookmarking, and referencing often. Dr. Diamond has a toddler book coming out in 2024, and we can’t WAIT to read her take on potty training….
Disclaimer: The information contained in the book does not represent medical advice. The views expressed belong to the authors alone and do not represent the views of any of the authors' employers or other affiliations.
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