Newborn Vaccines and Breastfeeding

[gingergrltea]

My LO has 2 months shots coming up I am breastfeeding....... I have read your book but wondering how to get the vitamin A,and C in baby through my BM?

My 5 year old is going to get the MMR...... My child had to have a penicillin ingection 2 weeks ago due to strep. We travel and want to be safe. SO I plan on getting this when baby gets shots. I usually give older child Carlsons cod liver oil or fish oil. Child loves sodium asorbate will eat it off the spoon.

Do you see many reactions in older children getting the MMR?

Now as for the breastfeeding I have PCOS polycystic ovarian syndrome. I am feeding all the time but due to the crazy hormones and underdeveloped breast its hard to nurse. Nursing also makes my hormones out of control I have gained 10lbs since post pregnancy.

I know breastmilk is way better then formula ever can be,I just want to know is there really that many risks from formula feeding in the US?

I will keep on nursing as long as I possibly can.... I have two step kids in daycare and baby has already had a cold twice and is barely 2 months. Is it normal to see exclusively breastfed newborns getting colds this early in a big house? Its like the brady bunch over here.

Thank You 

[DrBobSears]

Vit A and C - you can buy drops and just give them by mouth - I don't have a favorite brand.

I wouldn't do the MMR that close to strep and the penicillin shot - I'd wait a couple months on that - strep can cause some strange immune issues, so I'd wait.  Older kids can have tough MMR reactions just like babies can.

Breastfed babies will still catch colds, especially with other kids around.  But the breastfeeding can help keep the colds from getting worse and turning into complications - so, that's a benefit.

i don't know enough about PCOS and breastfeeding to comment - maybe someone in La Leche League would have some useful tips to make it easier on you?

I do believe that there is a lot a baby will miss out on nutritionally if formula-fed instead of breastfed. You used the words "danger" - the danger would mostly be babies in 3rd world countries who may die if they don't breastfeed.  So, we don't have that danger here in the U.S..  I'd say the worry and risk of not breastfeeding is more in the area of neurological and intellectual development and immune health.