Is it safe to get the COVID vaccine while breastfeeding?

Is It Safe to Get the COVID Vaccine While Breastfeeding?
As the world continues to navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic, many breastfeeding parents are left wondering about the safety of receiving the COVID vaccine. The consensus among health experts is reassuring: it is safe to get vaccinated while breastfeeding.
Dr. Lisa Costello, a pediatrician, emphasizes that the COVID-19 vaccine is not only safe for breastfeeding individuals but also beneficial for both the parent and the baby. Vaccination can help protect the breastfeeding parent from severe illness due to COVID-19, which is particularly important given the potential risks associated with the virus.
Benefits of Vaccination
Research indicates that the COVID-19 vaccine can provide additional protection to infants through breast milk. When a breastfeeding parent receives the vaccine, their body produces antibodies that can be transferred to the baby via breast milk. This means that vaccinated breastfeeding parents may pass on some level of immunity to their infants, potentially offering them protection against COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports this view, stating that thousands of individuals vaccinated during pregnancy and breastfeeding have shown no adverse effects on either the parent or the child. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that vaccination is particularly crucial for breastfeeding individuals who are at high risk of exposure to the virus, as the benefits of vaccination outweigh any potential risks.
Ongoing Research and Recommendations
While the current evidence strongly supports the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during breastfeeding, experts acknowledge that ongoing research is essential. As more studies are conducted, they continue to gather critical information that can further clarify any lingering questions. However, the prevailing guidance from health authorities is clear: breastfeeding parents can and should consider getting vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies.
In conclusion, the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for breastfeeding individuals is well-supported by health experts and research. Vaccination not only safeguards the health of the parent but also enhances the protective benefits of breastfeeding for the infant. As always, individuals should consult with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions based on their specific circumstances.

Is the COVID vaccine safe while breastfeeding?

Everyone ages 6 months and older is recommended to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding a baby, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective.

Should I breastfeed during vaccination?

We found that breastfeeding before and during vaccination injections helped to reduce pain in most babies up to the age of one year. Needles are used for babies’ early childhood vaccinations and medical care during childhood illnesses.

Does COVID affect the breasts?

CONCLUSION. In this case, we describe one of the few known breast complications related to COVID-19 infection, specifically, the development of sterile abscesses. We report this case to highlight the associated imaging and pathologic findings.

Are antibodies passed through breast milk?

Maternal antibodies are transferred via the placenta and breast milk. Although the role of placentally transferred immunoglobulin G (IgG) is established, less is known about the selection of antibodies transferred via breast milk and the mechanisms by which they provide protection against neonatal disease.

Is the COVID vaccine safe for breastfeeding moms?

CDC recommends that people who are breastfeeding a baby, and infants 6 months of age and older, get vaccinated and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. CDC also recommends COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 6 months and older.

Are there antibodies in breast milk after COVID vaccine?

Studies have shown that breastfeeding mothers who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breast milk. This could help protect their babies from COVID-19.

Can COVID be passed through breast milk?

Transmission of active COVID-19 (virus that can cause infection) through breast milk and breastfeeding has not been detected to date.

What vaccines are contraindicated in lactation?

According to the ACIP’s General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization in Special Situations, except for smallpox and yellow fever vaccines, neither inactivated nor live-virus vaccines administered to a lactating woman affect the safety of breastfeeding for women or their infants.

Does the COVID vaccine pass immunity to babies?

Vaccinated mothers pass covid antibodies to babies in utero and through breastmilk, early studies show. Pregnant women who receive a coronavirus vaccine may transfer antibodies to their fetuses through umbilical cord blood and to their newborns through breastmilk, early research shows.

How long are antibodies in breast milk?

Maternal antibodies and immunoglobulins are retained by most children up to around six months of age, during which transplacental IgGs decrease, and the infant’s immune system starts developing with the assistance of primarily IgA from breast milk [33,35].