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Covid

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Original poster

Breastfeeding newborn - get vaccine

41 replies

iloveicelollies · 05/08/2021 12:56

Just that really, looking for experiences of those who got vaccine while breastfeeding newborn. Worried about side effects like period returning too quick, losing milk production or baby getting unwell and the general unknown. Not anti vac and do want protection, but anxious.

Baby is 3 weeks and 2 days and was born 37 weeks. He's quite little. Less than 7lbs.

Husband very skeptical of MNRA vaccines (he's not anti vacc, just worried of long term effects). He won't object to me getting vaccinated or stop me as he's pro my choice. But I'm sure he'd prefer I wait.

My dad saying he won't visit till I'm vaccinated at least with one jab. Though don't know how long he will have to wait for dh to have his. Dh convinced novavax will be approved in Q4 and wants to have that.

Please be gentle with me. Don't want thread to turn into anti vacc bashing of dh. Just providing a context.

Looking specifically for experienced as stated in opening paragraph. Thanks in advance

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whatswithtodaytoday · 05/08/2021 13:07

They've been saying Novavax will be approved soon since Q2 and it's all gone very quiet, I'm really not sure what's going on there but I wouldn't bank on it at this point. It was looking great and I do hope it will be used as a booster if/when it gets approved as I'd like it myself, but who knows when that will be.

What does your husband think the long term side effects of mRNA vaccines might be? They've been in small-scale trial use for some years now, I think we'd know of anything that's not going to be incredibly rare.

Personally I would want protection for be and my baby as soon as possible, and the added benefit of knowing I'm reducing the risk of passing it to more vulnerable family members.

whoknew23 · 05/08/2021 13:14

I had my first jag when my baby was 3 weeks old , no issues with my milk supply dropping I'm pumping it's easy to track volumes so I would have noticed.

Baby has been fine.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/08/2021 13:27

Forgive my ignorance but wouldn’t it actually be good to pass antibodies via your milk?

Original poster

iloveicelollies · 05/08/2021 13:31

Yes that's one of things I think would be great. Re. Antibodies. If that definitely happens

OP posts:

Hyppogriff · 05/08/2021 13:32

I had mine when Breastfeeding - no ill effects at all. All good. Get it done !

dindot · 05/08/2021 13:32

I looked at the research and spoke to a medic colleague before deciding to get the vaccine when my baby was 8 weeks old. I had no side effects at all and was keen for baby to get antibodies.

Original poster

iloveicelollies · 05/08/2021 14:37

Thanks @Hyppogriff @whoknew23 and @dindot. @dindot did you wait till 8 weeks as that was what medic friend and research advised or was that just when you were ready? Good to hear no ill effects.

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Original poster

iloveicelollies · 05/08/2021 14:44

@whatswithtodaytoday I think he has read far too much and has really convinced himself the risk of vaccine for him outweighs risk of covid. I respect his opinion. I'm not sure what he thinks the long terms are. We avoid discussions on it as they don't end well. He is Less skeptical about non MNRA but under 40 so can't get Astra and continues to count on nova. He said their shares have gone up in last 24 hours and thinks this is a good sign. Also Europe have ordered lots of doses in last couple days. I can't really worry about what he does. I also can't push him or try change his mind or vent frustration at him not getting vaccinated. He is careful and sensible in terms of covid but very stubborn and stuck in ways. Have to just respect his opinion and wait for him to make a choice. Currently he keeps saying I'm not not getting it, I'm not anti vacc (he really isn't), I'm just not ready. Need to focus on right thing for baby and I to do and let him do him.

OP posts:

Ozanj · 05/08/2021 14:48

@iloveicelollies

Baby is 3 weeks and 2 days and was born 37 weeks. He's quite little. Less than 7lbs.

Please be gentle with me. Don't want thread to turn into anti vacc bashing of dh. Just providing a context.

Looking specifically for experienced as stated in opening paragraph. Thanks in advance

I am breastfeeding an 18 mth old and joined a study about vaccine side effects for breastfed children. It only a lasted a few months but it was abandoned because the benefits of having the vaccine were much, much higher than going without. By breastfeeding you pass on any and all antibodies you have - you getting the vaccine means that your child may effectively be immune to the virus until you wean. This is a huge deal when you consider the covid risk to healthy babies are in terms of post-infection side effects rather than the infection itself. So you would be protecting them from that.

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 05/08/2021 14:52

I found this article very helpful and reassuring: www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01680-x

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 05/08/2021 14:54

I got my second dose when DS was around 2 weeks old. I had a slightly sore arm and a very low grade fever for about a day afterwards and no other issues whatsoever. I also had a huge sense of relief! Vaccines are our way out of this 1.5-year nightmare.

Bloatstoat · 05/08/2021 15:09

I had my first dose at 34 weeks pregnant and second last week when baby was 7 weeks. I had Pfizer. I was lucky enough to have no real side effects apart from sore arm, baby has been fine and no effects on milk production so far, I appreciate it's only been a week though! I am also hoping baby will benefit from antibodies as I have older children and worry about them picking up the virus although not as much at the moment as on school holidays.

VoyageInTheDark · 05/08/2021 15:28

I had pfizer first dose 2 weeks after giving birth and was fine, no effect on breastfeeding or baby

MRex · 05/08/2021 15:29

I breastfeed an older child. Some advice though that I needed a LOT of water after vaccination, not uncommon to need it to avoid dehydration headache, which is fine but you already need lots more water to breastfeed or it can affect your supply. So when you do decide to vaccinate, make sure you consciously drink a lot more water the week after.

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 05/08/2021 16:29

I had my first when dc was a week and my second when they were 9 weeks. No I’ll effects for either of us and if checked with the midwife before hand. It passes antibodies through your milk, why wouldn’t you have the jab and protect your baby?

Brabraboo · 05/08/2021 20:58

Second dose Moderna while breastfeeding my three week old.

No concerns whatsoever here. Far more frightened of ending up with actual Covid and struggling to look after two under two. Also quite keen to pass on the antibodies via milk.

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 05/08/2021 21:57

First dose Pfizer when baby was five weeks old, now fully vaxxed. Absolutely no side effects whatsoever either time for myself or my baby, expect a slightly achy arm for 24 hrs after second jab.

I just can’t get on board with anyone who’s not getting vaccinated to be honest. Unless you have a medical reason not to, what exactly do people think is going to happen? Your husband needs to get a grip. And a jab.

SaveWaterDrinkGin · 05/08/2021 21:58

Sorry- except a slightly achy arm. Also should add I’m exclusively breastfeeding.

Chillychili · 06/08/2021 08:20

I had the Pfizer although my dd was a little older but still exclusively breast feeding, the only side effect I had was a very sore arm for 24 hours (not as bad as whooping cough though). This led me to sleep on one side all night causing a blocked duct.

dindot · 06/08/2021 12:23

@iloveicelollies

Thanks *@Hyppogriff* *@whoknew23 and *@dindot*. *@dindot** did you wait till 8 weeks as that was what medic friend and research advised or was that just when you were ready? Good to hear no ill effects.

My baby was around 8 weeks old when I was invited for the jab.

JemNo66 · 06/08/2021 15:00

Im exclusively breastfeeding and baby was six weeks old when I had my first jab, seventeen weeks old when I had my second. No negative impact on breastfeeding or milk production that I was aware of, and an achy arm and a bit of tiredness were the only side effects that I had (Pfizer)

ThatScottishLass · 06/08/2021 16:20

I’ve had the mixed regime (I’m British but live in Italy) with AstraZeneca first then Pfizer as AZ was banned here for my age group.

My period did return after the AZ vaccine but I doubt that had much to do with it, I could feel it gearing up to come back before then. Didn’t notice any impact on my breastmilk supply or on baby. My daughter’s pediatrician advised me to get the vaccine at the time as research suggests that babies get some protection that way. I was very nervous but ultimately am glad I had the jabs. Understand why people who are breastfeeding or pregnant are reticent though and I do think that it’s a very individual decision in those circumstances.

JaggedLittlePilI · 07/08/2021 07:17

Baby was about 3m and had no problem BF after. Nor did anyone I know (in that stage of life of knowing lots of people with babies!). I have an unvaccinated friend who caught covid with a 2 week old baby at home and passed it to another unvaccinated friend with a similarly newborn baby and it was a very worrying time for them all. Everyone was fine in the end and I completely understand why they waited for the end of their pregnancies before getting the vaccine but it's worth considering what would feel more risky to you - the vaccine or having covid and knowing you could pass it to your tiny baby.

Original poster

iloveicelollies · 07/08/2021 10:58

@ThatScottishLass thanks for understanding. I feel under a lot of pressure. I've had friends message me last couple days and this morning asking if I've had it yet. Feel very pressured.

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Original poster

iloveicelollies · 07/08/2021 11:02

@JaggedLittlePilI yes the worth of passing to baby is a total worry. Did your friends' newborns get ill? Hope all are fully recovered now.

I have two school age children and both have had colds (not covid -tested neg) one while i was pregnant and one while baby was just born and i was a nervous wreck.
I'm generally health paranoid anyway when have babies. Probably why I'm slightly worried about Pfizer or moderna while feeding. He's also a very unsettled baby who barely sleeps so I think my mh in general is a bit off, affecting decision making.

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