Breastfeeding and travel vax advice?

1051 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by PatioGardener, Apr 8, 2009

welsh

Discussion Starter · Apr 6, 2009

I was just reading an article about travelling with children and read the following:

Ask about travel vaccinations. Mothers may have to stop breast-feeding if both mother and child are vaccinated. Take plenty of baby milk and buy only bottled water (check the seal is still intact), sometimes even for cleaning teeth, if you're traveling in less-developed countries

Is this true? I've never heard it before and wanted to write to them if it's incorrect (it's a local expat website and the community isn't bf friendly to begin with)

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alegna

· #2 · Apr 6, 2009

Well, I don't think any vaccines are tested in nursing women. Personally I would avoid vaxes while nursing, but I don't vax at all currently.

-Angela

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AutumnAir

· #3 · Apr 7, 2009

I very much doubt it, though I'm not a medical expert. Personally I don't vax either, but if both mom and babe are being vaxed for the same disease I can't imagine why you would need to stop nursing - it would be similar-ish to both mom and babe having the same tummy bug. Though I'm sure there are places where it might be best to only buy bottled water, even for teeth brushing.

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jocelynr

· #4 · Apr 7, 2009

If BOTH mother and child receive the same vax, there is no reason for the mother to stop nursing. The baby is getting the exact same thing as the mother directly, so if anything gets passed through the milk the baby already has it.

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calpurnia

· #5 · Apr 7, 2009

i have heard that the mother's vax would pass to the baby... but i don't remember where i heard it. it was recommended to me for travel vaxes that baby is too young to receive directly.

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alegna

· #6 · Apr 8, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by calpurnia

i have heard that the mother's vax would pass to the baby... but i don't remember where i heard it. it was recommended to me for travel vaxes that baby is too young to receive directly.

Highly unlikely- but would depend on the vax. Not even possible except for live vaxes.

-Angela

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calpurnia

· #7 · Apr 8, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna

Highly unlikely- but would depend on the vax. Not even possible except for live vaxes.

-Angela

i think it was typhoid or tetanus? or hep a? i can't remember. it wasn't a medical professional who told me this btw, it was in conversation with someone about travel plans.

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PatioGardener

· #8 · Apr 8, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by welsh

Take plenty of baby milk and buy only bottled water (check the seal is still intact),

This is really disturbing, as the best way to keep baby safe during travel is to CONTINUE breastfeeding! In many countries bottled water is not safe, and in no countries is baby milk (formula) as safe as breastfeeding!

Plus, there are no vaccines that I know of that are contraindicated during breastfeeding.

I'd hate to think a mother weaned her baby in order to travel 'safely'!

Great to hear that you are going to write to them.

Sending along the WHO infant feeding recommendations may help too...

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