Covid Vaccine, Newborn and Breastfeeding

[KittyKatChunky21]

Hi everyone. I am currently ebf my 6 week old baby. Feeding is going well. However I have an appointment to get the covid vaccine and would prefer prefer stop breastfeeding rather than carry on due to not knowing what risks could affect the baby I years to come. I've read what I can online and all points to no indication it causes harm.. but how can they know this? So I'm thinking of stopping. Just wondered if anyone else has stopped feeding their newborn? Also, bf is making me anxious about going out, as it did do with my first born, so both are pointing me to stop. I am sad to stop because of the bond and the health benefits benefits baby and feel he will struggle without the boob? How did your baby find find transition of not having the boob to bottle? Thanks

If you want to stop it’s best to do it one feed at a time slowly so that your breasts adjust and you don’t get blocked ducts or mastitis. If you stop too quickly you could end up feeling very poorly.

I know that certain cold medicines can cause a drop in supply so you could look into that if you want to stop more quickly?

In terms of how they know about the risk the vaccine poses to the baby I believe it’s based on how similar vaccines that have been around longer behave in breast milk. I’ve also seen a study that they’ve found COVID antibodies in the breast milk of vaccinated mothers as it’s being researched to see if immunity / protection can be passed to the baby.

It’s completely up to you to make your own decision about the risk and if/when to stop feeding.

I chose to have the vaccine and keep feeding but it’s your choice to make, you’ve got to do what’s right for you.

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I've been picking up that it's said that the antibodies in me will pass through my milk to baby so that's a bonus if its true but I still worry about the unknown. I'm just sceptical I suppose.

I will keep thinking it over and if anyone else has any other experiences?

I am breastfeeding and got the vaccine asap once baby was born (this is several months ago when vaccine was not given in pregnancy). I didn't even think about possible side effects / consequences for baby tbh, just wanted to protect myself against covid.

Same here - I had baby 2 months ago, got the vaccine ASAP, happily BF and hoping the antibodies will protect her somewhat too. I had covid when pregnant too which should protect her as well. Anything to protect the baby, vaccine is the best protection I can give her at her age.

I think they've proven now that vaccinated mothers are passing antibodies through breastmilk and the placenta (if vaccinated during pregnancy). Check out the RCOG website - that's where my midwife directed me. I'm pregnant and have had the vaccine. If you do decide to stop bf-ing then that's fine too - plenty of babies formula feed and are perfectly happy and healthy.

You truly don't need to stop breastfeeding for the jab- it would be really sad to stop over something unnecessary.

I can’t advise on the vaccine and breastfeeding, I also have concerns over the lack of time to discover any long term effects from this new vaccine technology. But on your point of breastfeeding making you nervous to go out…if you decide to stop and bottle feed that’s totally fine, but if you are enjoying doing it and like the bond, it seems a shame to stop for this reason. I think the world is much more accepting of it being done in public now, I’ve breastfed both my kids past 1yr and will do it wherever I need. I suspect you could get some breastfeeding support to talk through your concern. Also I’d say if you’re out and about, whipping a boob out is so much easier than making up formula, finding somewhere to heat it up, all the cleaning required!! But whatever you choose you will still have a great bond with your baby and they’ll develop fine x

Thanks ladies. Feeding is going well, and it does sound alot easier than bottle feeding when you put it like that! I just find myself getting anxious everytime we are out, incase he wakes or stirs and I have to find somewhere to stop and feed him. When did you all find feeding got less and a bit more predicatable if it did? Obviously at 6 weeks old, there's no pattern yet, so it's wherever whenever, which is why I'm spending more time at home which I'm fine with for now. I think with the antibodies... that definitely sounds good, goes hand in hand with why we breastfeed really doesn't it with all the goodness and protection. Hmm... I will keep thinking on that one. Thanks again everyone.

Did you get the vaccine? I have a 9 week old and bf, I absolutely love bf but I’m worried sick that it will effect the baby in years to come

If you do your research thoroughly, you will find an explanation as to how/why the jab doesn’t cross into breast milk. The jab is quickly broken down in your arm and doesn’t go any further than that. What does cross into breast milk is antibodies against COVID. I had my first jab while pregnant and it works the same way - doesn’t cross the placenta as broken down quickly, but antibodies do cross the placenta. I had my second jab when DS was 10 days and am breast feeding. Of course do your own research and don’t take my word for it, but personally I feel much better knowing I’m protected and DS should have some protection too ☺️

Hi. Yes I did get the vaccine. I spoke to my health visitor (who didn't provide much help to be honest) but she put me in touch with a breastfeeding specialist who sent me lots of links all of which I could only see was positive. No one could give me an answer, it was down to me make it. My partner didn't want me to get it because of the possible effects on baby, but I did the research and didn't find anything that worried me. Only my own worries. I was nervous about going, but I went and kind of didn't give it a seconds thought afterwards. Baby has been absolutely fine. I feel better for having it and being protected, knowing that hopefully I am protecting my children and myself and others. I did worry about the effects in years to come, but having read its not a live vaccine and was only going to pass antibodies through I went ahead. It is a tough decision and I battled over it. I bought formula and bottles.. but i just couldn't do it! I didn't want to stop breastfeeding and give formula when nothing I had read backed up my thinking. He is 3 months old now and breastfeeding is going well, weight gain is good so im happy I carried on and happy i got the vaccine. Obviously it's your decision but doing your research is the right thing x