Vaccine / breastfeeding - any experts?

[namechange5575]

I'm a frontline NHS worker, likely to be offered the vaccine soon. I'm also (fairly casually) breastfeeding my 2.5 year old, mostly just at bedtime. You aren't supposed to have the vaccine if you are breastfeeding, but I can stop breastfeeding for a while - a few days, a week or so. Or at least I'd like to know how long I'd have to stop for, to inform a decision. Knowledge is power. Any knowledgeable experts around? Or where I can find the right person to ask? Thanks :)

*quandary even!

@Nicknamegoeshere - oh we could. At this very moment in time I’m not planning on having two children too close in age, and ds might wean at 12 months for all I know. But like you say, it could be anytime between 1-3+ years. So if the latter I might be ready.
Of course we may stick with one child. But it would be nice if guidelines and research allow people to choose this decision themselves based on evidence.

At the moment, it must be tricky for those working in healthcare and either breastfeeding or ttc shortly. Is there any research being done on effects of fertility btw?

@Caspianberg I'm not completely au fait with it, but I know some question marks have been raised re effects on fertility.

Yes, I agree with you. I'm a primary teacher in a huge school and will be returning in May, still breasfeeding. Obviously I'm concerned from that pov.

I think it's probably worth mentioning that the advice for many well established drugs like antibiotics, which are cleared for use in actual babies if needed, is not to use them in breastfeeding mothers because they don't have the data.

Best to go to actual breastfeeding experts here. Thomas Hale is good 'Medications and mother's milk' is his book. But don't know if it has anything in it about vaccines.

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@Sertchgi123 Not a chance. Breast is best. For both mother and baby. Fact. I won't be stopping.[/quote]
I respect your decision but I would question your logic. Yes breast is best. All three of mine were breast fed for 12 months. However, at 2.5 years old a child is getting all the nutrition it needs and breastfeeding at this age is more about comfort.

I personally would weigh up the risks and benefits of having the vaccine, or possibly catching the virus. Your risk is pretty high, as you are a frontline NHS worker. I would wean and get vaccinated, in your shoes. Your family want you to be well.

@Sertchgi123 Extended breastfeeding continues to have many benefits for both mother and baby.

[quote Nicknamegoeshere]@Sertchgi123 Extended breastfeeding continues to have many benefits for both mother and baby.[/quote]
Yes but if you catch the virus, what could the consequences be, for you and your toddler?

@Sertchgi123 in all likelihood, pretty minimal. I'm almost certain I had it when I was quite heavily pregnant.

Information is changing almost daily. Have a look at Wendy Jones' work through the Breastfeeding Network, Dr Natalie Shenker's research and this article in the BMJ blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/12/21/healthcare-workers-who-breastfeed-should-be-offered-the-covid-19-vaccine/

I think we migt move more in line with EU and USA guidance in the next month or two so worth holding fire if at all possible imo.