As a new or expecting mom, you likely have many questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and its effects on you and your baby. Dr. Lauren Smith, a pediatrician and maternal health expert, provides the latest insights to address your concerns.
Can Nursing Mothers Get Vaccinated?
Absolutely! Major health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, all support the vaccination of breastfeeding mothers whenever the vaccine becomes available. Initial studies have not indicated any safety issues for pregnant women or their babies.
It’s important to note that while lactating individuals weren’t included in early vaccine trials, current guidance suggests that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks. You can continue breastfeeding after getting vaccinated; in fact, research shows that nursing mothers may pass protective antibodies to their infants post-vaccination.
Both mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do not contain live virus, which means neither mothers nor their breastfed babies are at risk of contracting COVID-19 from the vaccine. These vaccines work by prompting the body to produce antibodies against the coronavirus, which may also be transmitted through breast milk.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which uses a modified adenovirus to deliver the coronavirus spike protein, also poses no risk of infection for mothers or their breastfed infants. According to Dr. Emily Carter, a leading expert in maternal health, “The components of these vaccines are unlikely to reach breast milk and, if they do, would simply be digested like any other food protein by the baby.”
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To Summarize:
Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for breastfeeding mothers, with no evidence of risk to either the mother or child. The benefits of vaccination are significant, and mothers can continue breastfeeding without concern. For those considering home insemination, there are valuable resources available to assist on your journey to parenthood.