Trying not to get caught up in the hysteria around swine flu, but with news that the vaccines will begin to be offered in Sept I am trying to give some thought now...
Am currently BFing DD2 (15 weeks) and for various reasons (long story) was not anticipating going as long with DD1 (about a year), however, given swine flu am reconsidering.
Couple of Qs for the BFing experts on MN:
- Does BFing offer any additional protection, or is it just in the first few feeds that antibodies are passing from mother to baby?
- If antibodies are continually passed from mother to baby, if I were to be vaccinated, presumably my body would create antibodies that would pass into the breast milk and DD would receive? thus precluding the need for my DD to be vaccinated with a vaccine that, lets face it, has not been tested over the long term?
- If either of hte above are true, would it benefit DD1 to have some EBM?
Of course, if DD2 were to get ill there is the comfort factor of BF alone, but I am wondering what health benefits can be proven.
I know the merits/risks of the vaccine itself has/is being debated elsewhere on MN but I havent seen anything yet on BF and would like to hear if anyone has any information. Many thanks.