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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any breastfeeding mums had the vaccine?

90 replies

Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 10:28

I'm sorry; I'm shamelessly posting here for traffic. Could anyone who has had the vaccine whilst breastfeeding share their experience? I'm currently feeding my 5 month old and am considering booking my 1st vaccine. While The Breastfeeding Network have stated there is no known mechanism through which the vaccine ingredients can pass into breastmilk, they have said that there are some limited anecdotal reports that some women have noticed symptoms of mastitis or altered milk supply following the vaccine. I'd love to hear the experiences of other mums here, if possible. Trying to make my mind up!

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 11:12

@DoubleHelix79

I'd be very weary of anecdotal evidence - blocked ducts for example are quite common, so the fact that some women had them after being vaccinated is hardly surprising.
Yes, very true! I was thinking the same about mastitis. I was particularly interested in hearing any experiences at all with altered supply. And while anecdata should always be taken for exactly what it is, we have little else to go on currently.
OP posts:
Fitforforty · 26/05/2021 11:14

Yep, although I’m feeding a toddler. I’m 38 but had the AZ. No impact on milk or feeding. I felt like shit for 12 to 24 hours after the vaccine.

Yokey · 26/05/2021 11:21

I had my 2nd AZ on Saturday. Funnily enough, I have currently got mastitis but I didn't make a connection with the vaccine, and to be honest, I still don't think it's connected (though I'd be interested to see evidence to the contrary of course). I've had mastitis once before (pre any vaccines). It's quite common. No side effects from first jab. Supply is fine. DS is 11 months.

JessicaFletcher16 · 26/05/2021 11:21

Just had my vaccine yesterday morning (Pfizer), no side effects yet apart from a slightly sore arm and my four month old has been feeding as normal. I’ll let you know if anything changes, hopefully not!

Ginfilledcats · 26/05/2021 11:27

Hi I had Pfizer in January and April, DD is still feeding 2-3 times a day at 11 months old. No side effects for either of us in anyway. Other than a sore arm for me for about 24 hours

eachtigertires · 26/05/2021 11:29

Yes! BF 6m old here and had my first dose of Pfizer on Saturday. Absolutely no issues here with blocked ducts or supply. I had a sore arm for a few hours but that’s it. I have previously had a blocked duct though weeks before my vaccine - I think it’s pretty common regardless of getting the vaccine.

MindyStClaire · 26/05/2021 11:29

I had the first dose of AZ at the end of march when DD would've been about 9 months. No problems, will happily have my second dose in a couple of weeks.

I've had a fair few blocked ducts and fevers since DD2 was born (weird as it was very rare for me with DD1) and don't remember having any such problems when I had the vaccine.

Thegirlhasnoname · 26/05/2021 11:30

Had my first dose of AZ when my little boy was 5 weeks old and having my second dose on Saturday.

Have experienced zero side effects (apart from a dodgy tummy for 24 hours) and milk supply hasn’t been impacted in the slightest if my little chunky boy is anything to go by

dopeyduck · 26/05/2021 11:33

Hi,

I've had both doses of my AZ vaccine and I have been breastfeeding throughout. Absolutely nothing to report. All fine.

Your milk supply is very secure at 5 months and I don't think you have anything to worry about.

ChampionOfTheSun · 26/05/2021 11:33

Have had both doses of AZ and feeding my 16mo. I had the chills for a few hours after the 1st and nothing after the 2nd, DD was/is completely fine and no after effects for me either Smile

Roseability18 · 26/05/2021 11:42

Had Pfizer a week after LO arrived - no noticeable side effects. I did worry a little that milk supply might be affected since it is early days breastfeeding, but no issues noticed.

AnnaBegins · 26/05/2021 12:03

I had AZ and I'm under 35. I had chills and flu like symptoms that night and following day. I bf my 21 month old and interestingly she had a mild fever (negative for covid) for a few days, I did wonder if some immunity was passed on but it could have been a totally unrelated mild virus. I had no reduction in milk supply, if anything the opposite as she feeds more when under the weather and added in a night feed (oh joy). So I was pretty happy with that experience and would encourage any other bf mum to go for it.

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 12:47

This is very encouraging, so far.

OP posts:
Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 13:45

Thank you very for sharing experiences.

OP posts:
Sideofnoreturn · 26/05/2021 13:48

Had AZ in April. I had awful side effects but my 5 month old had none, and though I was really ill for 10 days my supply wasn’t affected. I’m 34 if relevant!

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 14:10

@Sideofnoreturn I'm sorry you felt so awful yourself. What were your own symptoms?

OP posts:
CheesePleaseLoueese · 26/05/2021 14:12

Breastfeeding a 9 month old.

I had Moderna two weeks ago. There were no real side effects. Mildly sore arm.

Baby was completely unaffected.

(NB for full disclosure - I had tested positive for coronavirus earlier this year, so I had already had a "natural" infection.)

PinkDaffodil2 · 26/05/2021 14:17

I had both doses of Pfizer while breastfeeding and was absolutely fine. Anecdotally amongst doctors I haven’t heard any serious feeding related effects from the jabs but several people whose breastfeeding journey ended prematurely after they contracted covid and either stopped because the illness affected their milk supply, they were just too poorly to keep breastfeeding round the clock / hospitalised, or to try and shield little one they stopped or reduced contact / skin to skin which dropped supply and they couldn’t get back on track.

DownWhichOfLate · 26/05/2021 14:22

I had AZ, breastfeeding my two year old. All fine. But on the day of vaccination when I was asked if I was breastfeeding and said I was, they had to go and check I was still allowed to have it without speaking to an on-site doctor first. Found out I could go ahead anyhow. But just to be prepared that the person asking you might not know immediately if you can have it and might need to check higher up.

Roundandballlike · 26/05/2021 14:39

Ive had both doses of Pfizer in Feb and May. BF my now 11 month old. Other than a sore are for a few days, had no side effect and BF was completely unaffected. I'm so pleased to have had it as I have a couple of health issues, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 15:10

@PinkDaffodil2 thank you, that's definitely another perspective worth considering!

OP posts:
017HF · 26/05/2021 15:27

Following as I’m in a similar position to OP. EBF my 3 month old and have been thinking about the vaccine lately and whether or not to get it. Haven’t been invited yet (

MikeWozniaksGloriousTache · 26/05/2021 15:31

Not myself but best friend had had both doses now and had not had any negative effects and still breastfeeding as normal. I believe she had az

Ozanj · 26/05/2021 15:35

Yes both doses. After the first one DS did seem to have symptoms but like mine they were gone within 12 hours.

Hilarias · 26/05/2021 16:37

Had first Astra 9 weeks ago. Bfing my 2+ year old DS. No issues at all once I stopped feeling rubbish and fluey.

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