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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Battling between bfing and covid vaccine.

56 replies

Lullaby88 · 21/05/2021 18:08

I have a 2 week old baby, I've been bfing. In my area we have been offered to get a covid vaccine.

I want to continue bfing but also think getting the vaccine can protect my family and baby.
The only issue is that if i get the vaccine i would give up on bfing as I feel the research is way to new and new things keep cropping up after things have deemed to be safe. And i would not be comfortable at all not fully knowing the long term effects.
Im really confused. Has anyone been in a similar situation ? What did u decide to do? Im thinking maybe bf for 4 months atleast and then get a vaccine. Or just bf for as long as I can and be at potential risk of getting the virus naturally. It might not effect me that much? Advice me please.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 21/05/2021 18:14

I thought advice was that it was safe to get the vaccine while breastfeeding

Hardiharhar · 21/05/2021 20:26

If anything, getting the vaccine will allow your baby to benefit from your antibodies and provide some level of immunity for them too

Enidcat5 · 21/05/2021 20:28

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/coronavirus/

You do not need to stop breastfeeding to have the covid19 vaccine.

FtmNov22 · 21/05/2021 20:32

I'm not stopping breastfeeding until at least 3 months after my covid vaccine so my little can benefit from the antibodies! I'm patiently waiting for mine, I'm only 22 so got a while to wait 😔

miltonj · 21/05/2021 20:32

I would just wait till you've stopped breastfeeding and then get the vaccine.

musicalfrog · 21/05/2021 20:38

You're safe to get the vaccine and keep feeding, no need to delay!

Enidcat5 · 21/05/2021 20:38

Can't get link to post. Google 'breastfeeding network covid vaccine'. It's fine to breastfeed when you get the vaccine

OddshoesOddsocks · 21/05/2021 20:38

I was battling with this too although my baby is older than yours which I think changes things a little.
I’ve been reading more now that my call up is drawing closer and have decided to still have it and won’t stop BF. Apparently, the amount that will be passed to baby is absolutely minuscule (I couldn’t give an exact figure!) and several breastfeeding advisors have come out in favour of us doing it.

I am wary of the lack of long term research but that would stand whether I was BF or not and I am much more worried about long COVID and the potential impact of that on myself and my family.

Ultimately it’s up to you OP and I don’t think you should be judged for questioning or even refusing. I know there are very strong opinions either way but it’s your body and your baby.

LucyCC · 21/05/2021 20:47

I’ve just had my first vaccine and I’m bf my 10 month old. The medic at the vaccination centre who did my assessment said if my baby had been less than 6 weeks and I was bf, she would have suggested waiting to be vaccinated til then.

IslandGirl5 · 21/05/2021 21:31

Everyone I’ve spoken too medically about it has said it is believed to be safe but nothing can be guaranteed so that was enough to make me decide to wait until I’ve stopped breastfeeding and then get the vaccine, however long that is. However I am in a position where I am not vulnerable or around many vulnerable people and don’t need it for work or anything so I’m aware others might have different concerns! But it’s your choice and do what feels most comfortable to you

Gembie · 22/05/2021 00:39

I had the vaccine when DS was 2 weeks old, he’s now 4 months and I’m still BF now.

There is no reason not to. Not contraindicated. It’s one dose of the vaccine (at any one time) that triggers an immune response in your body - so implausible that any of the vaccine will transfer into your milk. The antibodies however will, which means baby has protection from covid

PastaLaVistaBBY · 22/05/2021 01:49

I’m breastfeeding and had the vaccine. Evidence suggests that vaccinated breastfeeding mothers pass some antibodies to their babies. I was delighted to be able to give mine some potential protection he wouldn’t have otherwise had.

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/05/2021 01:52

You don't actually know if your child has any underlying conditions. So you're swapping an unknown risk for an unknown risk.

You know BFing is good. you know vaccines have almost always been almost entirely beneficial. I'd do both.

AegonT · 22/05/2021 02:14

I'm breastfeeding a two week old and having the vaccine tomorrow. I am hoping I pass some of my new immunity through the milk.

NameChange30 · 22/05/2021 02:19

I'm breastfeeding my 8 month old, no intention of stopping. Booked my vaccine for next week. Didn't even occur to me not to!

Is there any scientific evidence that any vaccines have ever been harmful to breastfed babies when given to the mother?

It would need to be pretty solid evidence to justify going against official medical advice.

KatieKat88 · 22/05/2021 02:30

I've been hanging on bfing my 18 month old to get the vaccine and pass on some immunity! Finally get it next week.

Macauley · 22/05/2021 05:55

I've had both doses of vaccine and not stopped breastfeeding.

Eightmagpies · 22/05/2021 05:58

I bf and am getting the vaccine next week. No need to delay

Roonerspismed · 22/05/2021 06:10

Why do people want to pass antibodies for covid to their babies at two weeks? Babies are rarely effected by covid surely

OP I would wait. We will get more data. We don’t actually know what an mRNA vaccine does longer term to anyone, let alone via breast milk to a newborn

Ginfilledcats · 22/05/2021 06:33

High op, I work for the NHS and am bf - I had my 2nd vaccine about 4 weeks ago. Many of my medic/nursing colleagues had it too who are still bf or are pregnant x

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 22/05/2021 07:10

There is already research - it’s safe for breastfeeding

Megan2018 · 22/05/2021 07:12

I am breastfeeding and had the AZ vaccine. Get the vaccine and continue feeding. There’s literally no good reason to stop BF and no good reason to not have the vaccine.

MindyStClaire · 22/05/2021 07:40

@PastaLaVistaBBY

I’m breastfeeding and had the vaccine. Evidence suggests that vaccinated breastfeeding mothers pass some antibodies to their babies. I was delighted to be able to give mine some potential protection he wouldn’t have otherwise had.
This, word for word.
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 22/05/2021 08:00

I’m breastfeeding and not having the vaccine until I’ve finished- same info told us AstraZenica was safe for all, same info told us to vaccinate pregnant women then not to vaccinate pregnant women. It’s way too early to know for sure and whilst it would likely be fine I’m not vulnerable and don’t think it’s worth the risk. I wouldn’t vaccinate my child at present so why when I’m breastfeeding.