Which vaccine - breastfeeding

[Mummyofthree80]

Hi, I have a 3 weeks old baby and need to get the covid vaccine before my older kids go back to school but am extremely nervous about this. Most walk in clinics are doing Pfizer at the moment although I think I could also get AZ. I am so nervous about the mRNA technology in Pfizer but more breastfeeding women have had Pfizer than AZ. I find the amount of research I’ve done has only added to my anxiety. I know that the ingredients should not pass to breastmilk but there have been documented cases of the breast milk colour being temporarily affected and the baby being irritable afterwards. If ingredients don’t pass through then how can this be the case.
Also my other concern is the mRNA antibodies in the milk coating the babies airways offering some passive protection from covid which is an amazing benefit but what is the mRNA specific antibodies aren’t good for the baby.
I am so scared of having anything that could harm my little one and if the advice changes in a few weeks I’ll be so scared if I’ve done the wrong thing.
Is anyone else over thinking it like me and has anyone been stressed about it and felt better once vaccinated?
I do have some health anxiety at the best of times so realise my worries are probably quite extreme but still valid given it’s all so new.
Also I wonder if anyone expressed milk in advance to use for a few hours after the jab just to minimise any “unlikely” risks and if so how long did you use expressed milk for?
Thank you

Apologies if this is patronising but the antibodies produced by the mRNA vaccine are the same as produced by the non-mRNA vaccine. The difference with the mRNA vaccine is that your body produces the antigens that trigger the production of the antibodies, rather than you being directly injected with the antigens. The mRNA is broken down far too quickly to be passed on to the baby.

Pfizer is advised due to the (very small, less than the pill) risk of rare blood clots in younger individuals.

Also, I've no idea where you've read about 'antibodies coating the babies airways' but that's simply not possible. You transfer antibodies in your breast milk which enters your babies digestive system, helping prevent microbes crossing the mucus membrane in the intestinal tract and also triggering the babies own immune system.

I'm breastfeeding and had Moderna. Have had both doses now with no issues.
Discussed it at the vaccine centre and happy with my choice.

Moderna for me. No issues for baby.

I had AZ and both baby and me were fine.

@T0rt0ise thanks for your replies. I read in an nhs document and they referred to it as mRNA antibodies in the milk so I took it to mean they’d be different for this specific vaccine but yes it makes sense what you’re saying that the antibodies would be the same regardless of vaccine type - thanks!
Also yes sorry think that’s what I meant the digestive tract so mouth and throat would be coated in antibodies so might help protect baby from catching covid - hopefully!
I just find it all abit overwhelming with a newborn to think about to ensure I’m doing the right thing.
The mRNA can take a day or more (from what I’ve read) to break down so I am still concerned that it could pass to milk in that time and the studies done have been tiny so far on this. I am eligible for the AZ due to my age so I could get that one but I suppose Im
none the wiser on that one either except it seems closer to traditional vaccines that I’ve had before in pregnancy

@Youcanchangeyournamebut
@DuggeeHugPlease
@Greenbuttonsbluebuttons
Thank you, that’s great to hear you’ve had m issues with your vaccinations.
I feel like if my little one were a bit older I’d be less scared for some reason as he’s cluster feeding at the moment, but I don’t have the luxury of time with schools going back and rates likely to increase in autumn

I had Moderna but didn't get a choice because where I went was only offering that and Astra Zeneca and I can't have AZ because of my age. I felt a bit rubbish after the second dose but my baby has been absolutely fine.

Even if the mRNA does pass on to your baby all it will mean is that your baby will also develop immunity - win, win!

With regards to it affecting colour of breast milk etc, if may well do, in the same way it can affect menstrual cycles - these are not bad things, these are normal immune responses the same as you would have if you caught a cold and your bodies immune system was activated naturally.

You can always ask your GP which they'd recommend but in all honesty, if your out of the 'risk' group for AZ then either will do you fine! (And I use 'risk' group with the same caveat as before that the actual risk is very, very tiny compared to medicines people use everyday without thinking).

@T0rt0ise I wonder if you know how could the immune system of the baby be triggered. Would it be triggered to make the spike protein from the antibodies from breastmilk, even though it’s never had the mRNA? It’s all
very clever and I should just be thankful that baby might get some protection but can’t help worrying about unknown adverse impacts on a newborns immune system

I had AZ, am BF but DD is a toddler and I’m 43.
If I was under 40 I’d have had Pfizer/Moderna

@T0rt0ise thank you, good to know and understand more about why colour might change etc..

When you are exposed to a virus or bacteria or have a vaccine your body has an immune response. In breastfeeding mothers this response includes and increase in antibodies in your breast milk (this also happens when your baby is unwell) which makes bm looks slightly blue in colour.

The babies immune system will only be triggered if the mRNA is passed across in the placenta and thus your baby produces the antigens (spike proteins), which due to the speed at which mRNA is broken down is incredibly unlikely, in reality it won't even leave your arm. Research is showing that the baby may gain some 'passive immunity' due to the antibodies your body produces entering breast milk and therefore being ingested by your baby.

@AphroditeGoddessOfLove
Thanks, glad your baby was fine with it all.

@Megan2018 yes I think a big factor for me is with a newborn - before had any other jabs or exposure to any colds or viruses and this is the first thing had. Timing wise I suppose that’s just the way is it though. Glad your little one was okay.

I’m tempted to go AZ just because its not a completely new concept. There’s a Pfizer walk in tomorrow so it’s just whether I bite the bullet and just get it and stop going six and forth worrying!

I had Pfizer first vaccine when my DD was 2 months old and then second vaccine when she was 5 months old - She was completely fine both times and BF within an hour of both jabs.
I on the other hand got blocked ducts in the breast on the side I had the vaccine on, I think my lymph nodes swelled and caused this but only painful for a day or so and I don’t think it’s overly common but thought I’d mention

I'm breastfeeding a toddler and also pregnant and I've had both doses of Pfizer. My daughter has been absolutely fine and baby is growing well.

There's a really horrifying VAERS report (US yellow card) on Pfizer and breastfeeding. Warning this is upsetting... medalerts.org/vaersdb/findfield.php?IDNUMBER=1166062

Personally I would not have the Vax and breastfeed.

While breastfeeding a toddler and a newborn, I had both doses of Pfizer. Was absolutely fine.

@scatterolight that's one (very sad) case where the baby developed TTP and the mother had happened to have had the vaccine. This isn't a risk specific to the phizer vaccine, it can occur (unfortunately) from a variety of vaccines (and due to a variety of non-vaccine related causes) but is very, very rare. Please don't use that report to scaremonger.

I’m bf and had AZ (before the age guidelines changed).

Thank you everyone. I got the vaccine and feel less in turmoil now. Hopefully baby won’t have side effects and I’ll hopefully protect her better by having it!

@T0rt0ise I'm not sure I this is where op read it but I read an interesting study that also mentions the antibodies coating the airways- www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01680-x
It's a pretty interesting read for anyone in turmoil as I was from a Dr who got her milk tested post jab.

I've been bf my 4.5 month old baby and have also been really questioning not only which vax to get but whether to get it at all. However after much research I decided to get the jab and am going tomorrow, I'm not sure which one I'll get but I think Pfizer is what will be offered, but I will speak to them about it.

I was also worried about the effects on my milk, I think it's a very small risk so hoping I'm all ok. I guess this could be down to our bodies working to produce antibodies and slowing down milk production?

@Fleetw00d interesting article and from a reputable source, but unless I've missed it (possible, I'm currently speed reading in a tent) it says throat (as in oesophagus, the tube connected to the stomach), not airway (as in trachea, the tube connected to the lungs). Please do correct me if I've missed it though!

@T0rt0ise ah yes you are right:
"Antibodies in the breast milk do not make it into a baby’s bloodstream, but coat the mouth, throat and gut before they’re ultimately digested4. Nonetheless, these antibodies seem to provide protection. It could be that they work at the body’s entrances to fend off infection before it takes root."
Speed reading in a tent sounds interesting haha!