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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:
Noauthorityhere · 26/05/2021 16:43

Just had my first dose of Pfizer this morning, and EBF DD who is 5 months. Really good to read all these positive outcomes. The guy doling out the jab said it was absolutely fine. My SIL has had both of hers and has continued BF her daughter no problems at all too.

EIRA3 · 26/05/2021 16:48

Had my first dose few weeks ago, moderna. I BF my 5 month old still about 10 times in 24hrs. I didn't notice anything at all, no issues with milk supply just my painful arm for few days. DS was happy and content feeding since.

ftm202020 · 26/05/2021 17:09

Sorry to jump on the thread to ask a slightly unrelated question.

Did you take your breastfed babies with you for the jab? Did they let you have baby with you in say a wrap or buggy?

Doublechocolatetiffin · 26/05/2021 17:16

@ftm202020

Sorry to jump on the thread to ask a slightly unrelated question.

Did you take your breastfed babies with you for the jab? Did they let you have baby with you in say a wrap or buggy?

Good question, I'm planning on taking my bf baby to mine on Friday. I hope that'll be OK, I don't feel happy leaving her though in case she needs to feed (the vaccine centre isn't that close).
NameChange30 · 26/05/2021 17:20

@ftm202020

Sorry to jump on the thread to ask a slightly unrelated question.

Did you take your breastfed babies with you for the jab? Did they let you have baby with you in say a wrap or buggy?

Yes I took DD and they were fine with it. I drove there and took the ergobaby to carry her in. Buggy might have been trickier in terms of navigating around people, chairs etc but probably would have been fine.
Starlight39 · 26/05/2021 17:22

I had my first AZ a few weeks ago, DD was 3 months and exclusively breastfed. I felt a little cold/hot and tired for a day but DD seemed fine and my milk supply seemed fine too.

NameChange30 · 26/05/2021 17:22

There was a long queue when I went, which is not ideal if you have a baby or toddler in tow, so I think ideally you'd go alone but obviously not always an option!

DuvetCaterpillar · 26/05/2021 17:23

Hiya, had my second AZ jab back in April, still breastfeeding my 15 month old, no discernable effects on her or my milk supply at all. I was a bit knackered and achy for a day or so after the first dose, no side effects at all from the second. Good luck with your jab!

EishetChayil · 26/05/2021 17:45

I've had my first dose, BFing 9 month old DD. No adverse reactions or changes to report.

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 17:49

I really appreciate people taking the time to reply. It's all very reassuring x

OP posts:
ftm202020 · 26/05/2021 18:13

Thanks @NameChange30 and @Doublechocolatetiffin.

I was planning to take my EBF baby on Saturday as quite a journey to the vaccine centre and back. Was going to babywear and have arm uncovered so should be easy enough hopefully. I hadn't seen any rules saying not to, but thought a good thread to ask on Smile.

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 26/05/2021 18:47

I was interested in your question too!

OP posts:
Sideofnoreturn · 27/05/2021 07:35

@Somethingsnappy I had fever and chills the first night then nausea, headaches, stiff neck and swollen lymph nodes for the next 10 days. Really awful tbh. Wish I’d held out as I wouldn’t be offered AZ if I were to get it now as I’m in my 30s. My GP surgery had spares so I was offered it early.

Pieinthesky11 · 27/05/2021 09:37

I have, all good, no side effects for me or baby

Pieinthesky11 · 27/05/2021 09:38

Also I took baby, it's v quick process

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 27/05/2021 12:18

That sounds rubbish, @Sideofnoreturn. I hope you feel better now.

OP posts:
Booksandtea84 · 27/05/2021 12:32

I had the Pfizer and my supply did reduce by about 100ml a week later (am exclusively pumping). Wasn't doing anything different, drank slightly less on day I first noticed supply dip but I've done that before and it never reduced so markedly.
It seems to be going up again now (been a week).
I filled in a yellow card report just in case they can spot a pattern. Also I would definitely have the vaccine again, it's a mild irritant but thankfully I was an oversupplier and I'm glad I am protected and can pass on antibodies.

Original poster
Somethingsnappy · 27/05/2021 12:39

@Booksandtea84. That's interesting especially since you are exclusively pumping, so would notice. When you say reduced by 100ml, is that per day?

OP posts:
FinksMeNot · 27/05/2021 12:40

@AnneLovesGilbert

Yes. I trust Wendy. Had both doses of AZ. All good.

Who's Wendy?

Booksandtea84 · 27/05/2021 12:42

No, just 100 overall. So I was pumping around 950 a day, it went down to 850 a day. Yesterday back up to 900 and today seems more too so far, so I think its going back up now.

Jasmine245 · 27/05/2021 12:43

I have been breastfeeding my LO through both covid and the two Pfizer vaccines. I have not noticed any side effects. Hopefully he has good immunity now.

FinksMeNot · 27/05/2021 12:49

DS is almost 4 now and I haven't noticed any issues with him. He's happy. I felt hot/cold and shivery after first vaccine, with a bad headache. I thought I had sepsis again BUT the symptoms disappeared like a switch, and within 12 hours.

Second dose was a few weeks ago - didn't even get a sore arm.

NameChange30 · 27/05/2021 12:58

@FinksMeNot
Dr Wendy Jones, Breastfeeding Network (I believe she produces the fact sheets at www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/)

weirdphobia · 27/05/2021 14:04

Yes. I am still breastfeeding my toddler and had the vaccine. Slightly different situation to you as wasn't worried if supply dropped. But didn't notice any issues. Of note they didn't ask me about BF at the vaccine Centre. I'd go and talk to them at the Centre. I found them very nice and helpful.

newmumfeb21 · 27/05/2021 14:15

Had my first Pfizer dose 3 weeks ago - very lucky to have no side effects & EBF DS (12 weeks at the time) seemed fine, didnt notice any changes to milk supply or anything Smile