Extended breastfeeding and vaccine

[JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson]

I see that at present the UK regulator is advising breastfeeding women not to be vaccinated. This is understandable given the very new nature of the vaccine and is presumably aimed at women who are exclusively breastfeeding small babies.

This blog by two breastfeeding doctors makes a strong case for bfing HCPs to have the choice to take the vaccine if they wish. I am breastfeeding a toddler, one feed per day, and ideally would continue feeding for another 6-12 months. I wondered if there are any others who are breastfeeding toddlers or pre-schoolers and are considering the same issue? I am resolutely pro-vaccination and would not hesitate otherwise.

Watching with interest! Not HCP but very keen to have the vaccine when offered. Breastfeeding my toddler so could give up if absolutely necessary but would prefer to be able to continue.

Yes, my daughter is almost one, and has allergies, so hope to feed her for a good while yet. She's not a boob monster like her brother was, and only has about 4/5 brief feeds throughout the day. I assume I won't be offered the vaccine for a good few months yet, so would likely be feeding even less. I don't know what to do for the best. I want the vaccine but, of course, don't want to harm my daughter. It's tricky.

Yes, my toddler is 20 months and still bf-ing a couple of times a day (and night!). I plan to keep my eye on it as things develop but to be honest I'm leaning towards having the vaccine at present, I think the risks would be pretty low of my immune response to a vaccine causing an issue for my toddler.

Wendy at the breastfeeding network is usually pretty good on this sort of thing so I'm hoping for some info from there at some point!

I’m breastfeeding a 2 year old. Would like to stop in the relatively near future anyway, but I want to stop on his timetable not one when I’d be vaccinated. If they are still advising against it I probably won’t get it, but I’m unlikely personally to be at high risk. I get the whole her immunity thing but not really willing to stop breastfeeding before I and DS ready for the ‘greater good’

HERD not her

I work in infant feeding and have been advised that there is a "strong indication" that the guidance around breastfeeding and the vaccine will change in the next week or two. Hopefully it will be a bit clearer by the time you are offered it.

Given the immunological benefits of extended breastfeeding it seems very short-sighted that under current guidance women have to choose between vaccination or breastfeeding.

Like PP I’m also leaning towards having the vaccine although I would prefer not to have to lie about the breastfeeding.

DD is 3 in 2 weeks and still feeds multiple times a day. I really don't want to wean yet as she has had a rough time with some huge changes and bf is her safe place. I am sorely tempted to lie about breastfeeding and normally I wouldn't ever consider it. I know that some of the vaccines in testing now are being tested on bf mum's as well, so hopefully I will have the option of one of those. I am in my 40s and healthy, so well down the list for vaccination.

@Fortheloveoficecream

I work in infant feeding and have been advised that there is a "strong indication" that the guidance around breastfeeding and the vaccine will change in the next week or two. Hopefully it will be a bit clearer by the time you are offered it.

That’s fantastic news - thank you.

DD is 2.5 and I'm breastfeeding twice a day so I don't expect to have the vaccine any time soon (DD will self-wean). I'm also ttc so I'm not allowed to have the vaccine on those grounds anyway - it could be years before I'd be allowed it as I'd breastfeed my next dc until they self-weaned too. I'm not at high risk/exposure so I'm content with waiting for the vaccine.

I am so glad someone else has posted this. I am a HCP and due to return back to work in Feb to quite a high risk job (dentistry) and I was undecided about declaring if I was still BF. My baby will only be 10 months next week. I fed my first till she was 4 and was hoping to feed my last baby till he was ready to self wean or till I'd had enough.
I hope they change the rules soon.

My DD is only 16 weeks old and I plan to breastfeed her for a good while yet (I breastfed her brother until after his second birthday when I stopped gradually).

I won't be getting the vaccine soon as I'm not a HCP or in any vulnerable categories, but as and when it becomes an option, I'll see whether there is any advice on the Breastfeeding Network website, as the drugs in breastmilk factsheets are so helpful.

My completely unscientific and unresearched opinion is that it's probably fine to have the vaccine when breastfeeding but they have to err on the side of caution in the official advice.

I would hesitate more about having the vaccine in pregnancy.

2.9yo. And hoping the Oxford vaccine which doesn’t have the arn change is considered safe to bf mums as it’s not so much a new vaccine as the Pfizer / moderna ones.

Breastfeeding network has been posting info about it

Breastfeeding network has updated the information after the government.

PfiZer as well as Oxford are now both approved
www.gov.uk/government/news/oxford-universityastrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-approved?fbclid=IwAR0LYfanfJgh9TUjiS2MoTJGtP5tzJNRtyvra-WRix5MFanot_QXK7CFRLk

[quote EasterIssland]Breastfeeding network has updated the information after the government.

PfiZer as well as Oxford are now both approved
www.gov.uk/government/news/oxford-universityastrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-approved?fbclid=IwAR0LYfanfJgh9TUjiS2MoTJGtP5tzJNRtyvra-WRix5MFanot_QXK7CFRLk[/quote]
Thank you for the update x