To ask what a 'natural approach to health and immunity' means

[Discopanda]

I'm part of a FB group for attachment parents where we arrange playdates, share interesting articles, ask questions. When a new member is added they introduce themselves, child's name and age and say a bit about themselves (group is private). One of the newest members has put in her blurb that they practice a 'natural approach to health and immunity', does that mean she's an anti-vaxxer? WIBU to ask her what it means?

[MitzyLeFrouf]

Yep, certainly sounds like an anti vaccinator phrase.

[stargirl1701]

It does indeed mean no vax.

[bumbleymummy]

It might mean that. Probably best to ask but she may want to keep it to herself.

[Wellthen]

It may well also mean that they don't use health care as a general rule, perhaps preferring natural remedies. Definitely ask, just for us!

[Discopanda]

I appreciate it's a parent's choice but if you're arranging playdates with other mums with babies shouldn't you be clear?

[TheCatsMeow]

It sounds woo.

If your kids are vaccinated though I don't see how it would affect you

[Topsy34]

Yes i would agree, non vaxer and non medicator.

Her reasoning might be interesting, even if you don't agree

[araiba]

when it comes to kids playdates, on matters like this, literally life and death, she needs to be explicit in what she means so that other parents can make informed choices

[bumbleymummy]

Araiba, as CatsMeow pointed out, if your own child is vaccinated then what would you be worried about?

[hiddenhome2]

Presumably this parent is enjoying the fact that smallpox has been eradicated and polio is on the way to being eradicated

Just as well we're not all anti vaccination isn't it?

[araiba]

my child might be at their house on a play date and accidentally set fire to themselves. this new parent might treat the burns with cinnamon oil and some wind chimes instead of calling an ambulance.

[leedy]

" if your own child is vaccinated then what would you be worried about?"

You might have children too young to be vaccinated, for one? BIL's nephew got measles when he was just under a year so hadn't had his MMR yet.

[YeOldeTrout]

I wouldn't be worried, but then I don't have a child who can't be vaxxed for Medical reasons.

[EdithWeston]

I'd think it meant she flogs Forever Living stuff

[katienana]

I would be concerned if I had a baby that hadn't had the full course yet.

[TheCatsMeow]

Fair enough.

I'm not planning on vaccinating any further because my son reacts to vaccines but it wouldn't bother me and it wouldn't have occurred to me to tell anyone.

Each to their own.

[Discopanda]

I asked and, yes, no vaccinations!

[TheCatsMeow]

Did she say why?

[Gottagetmoving]

I know a couple of people who believe that vaccinations are positively harmful and cause illness, they also think vaccinations allow some sort of government control over the population...There are a whole lot of conspiracy theories about this topic.
I did read some of them but decided they were too ridiculous and gave up.

[bumbleymummy]

araiba, I thought your 'life and death' comment referred to the vaccines, not potential fire risks...

katie, I guess it depends on which ones they hadn't had yet. It's not like unvaccinated children are all walking around carrying all these diseases.

Gotta, I'm sure there are conspiracy theories etc but some people do have genuine reasons for not vaccinating/delaying vaccination/selectively vaccinating e.g. history of reactions/other underlying health conditions. I wouldn't be so quick to judge tbh.

[CombineBananaFister]

Not all anti-vaxx ers are tinfoil-hat-wearing weirdos, there is some research out there that isn't scaremongering and quite interesting. And I say that as a pro-vaccine person but with a compromised iimmune system so have had to look at it in depth to be able to make informed choices about DS and the live vaccine/alternatives.

I would say it's good you asked Op because it might be good to have that information if anyone's child is ill and might want to limit contact with her.

[DeoGratias]

I believe in vaccinations but have a fairly natural approach to health and life - your gut and what you eat gives you your immunity - eg vit D from sun helps too as does moving around and eating only good foods, not junk, getting a lot of sleep, drinking water - all those things help your immune system. Avoiding calpol and anti biotics when you can is also wise.

[PunkrockerGirl]

I couldn't have any contact with an antivaccer.
They are putting so many people at risk, including their own children.

[JizzyStradlin]

Weird to put something in a blurb if you want to keep it to yourself. I'm not surprised she didn't mind discussing it.

[Didactylos]

I would translate that phrase as 'avoidable disease vector who practices evidence free dietary supplementation'
what is a natural approach to immunity anyway?