Vaccination and Breastfeeding Question

[sammyloo]

I am curious if anyone knows the answer to this question: If I am vaccinated (not immune from getting the "wild" virus, such as chicken pox), will I pass on any immunity to my child? I am specifically thinking about the H1N1 virus, but am curious if this is true of any vaccination. I am due to give birth this month and plan to delay vaccinations like I did with my son, but am nervous because my 2.75 year old just started preschool and will be bringing home germs. My toddler just self weaned about 2 weeks ago, but I feel fairly confident I could get him to drink pumped milk if it would make a difference. If I subject myself to the vaccine next month or when it is available, will I be able to protect my toddler and newborn through breastmilk?

[Marnica]

No..vaccine induced immunity is not passed on via breastmilk, only naturally derived immunity. With that being said, breastmilk has a ton of protective qualities in general in terms of immune fucntion and if you can get your toddler to drink pumped milk through this swine flu scare, I would def do that!

If you do get the H1N1 vax I would be more concerned about passing on traces of the toxic chemicals to your newborn via the BM. This vaccine is experimental and already being rushed through safety trials. I can assure you that there will be NO data on breastfeeding mothers.

[sammyloo]

thanks for the reply! I will just have to keep our hands clean and my fingers crossed, I guess!

[crunchie1]

I concur, and want to add that if you're exposed to H1N1 (or any other illness you're not immune to), whether you get sick or not, you'll develop antibodies that will be passed through your breastmilk to your children. In fact, being exposed to an illness you ARE immune to helps provide a natural "booster shot" and may also provide more protection to your kids through your breastmilk!

[MangoMommy]

This actually happened to us about 2 weeks ago. I got H1N1 (as did my 2 older kids) and my then 2 month old did not. And she was in my face (nursing LOL) every 2 hrs and coslept with me the whole time I was really sick with the flu. So the immunities did work for us!

[KoalaMommy]

I wouldn't be too worried about the H1N1 virus with a BF infant. The statistics are showing that it's older children that are most at risk for flu related hospitalization. This is contrary to normal seasonal flu in which infants and toddlers tend to be more at risk. Also, flu seasons hit a peak at a very predictable rate, and this one is getting very close to that peak time, which means that the chances your babe would come in contact with this virus are going to start decreasing fairly soon.

BTW we had H1N1 in our house and it was no big deal. And I am pregnant and it was still no big deal.