When Ivy was born, I refused the Hep B vaccine that they routinely give in the hospital.  My reasons were two-fold - first, I thought it unnecessary.  How would my newborn baby possibly contract Hep B, which is passed by blood or sex?  Secondly, I didn't want one of my newborn baby's first experiences to be a painful vaccine.  (I had also refused the vaccine with Claire, and wish I'd been more knowledgeable and stronger in my convictions when the twins were born.)
So when the nurse came in to get a little blood for the newborn screen, I was a little hesitant, because once again, it's causing pain to my precious baby, less than 24 hours after birth.  So I asked the nurse if I could at least nurse her while she pricked her heel and squeezed the blood out.  The nurse looked at me, surprised by my request, and then said, "Uh, well, I guess that would be okay."  I said that I'd read that nursing helps with pain management for infants.  She said she'd read that, too, and thought it was a good idea, but admitted she'd never been asked that before.  I still can't believe it, especially knowing the area I live in - we tend to be very crunchy here.
So when I read this blog post, it reminded me of my experience.  I thought I must have sounded silly when I explained to the doctor that it seemed cruel to subject a baby to unnecessary pain so soon after birth.  But if I had it to do over, I would have refused the vaccine at the 2 week visit, as well.  (Unless someone can explain to me how my 2-week old could be at risk of contracting Hep B.)