Breastfeeding and Flu Shot

The flu shot can make some breastfeeding moms wary because they wonder if the vaccine will affect their baby. As a parent, we all worry about the choices we make especially when we are pregnant and breastfeeding because we are providing nourishment to our babies. The vaccines we obtain during pregnancy and breastfeeding and the vaccines we allow our babies to receive has become a controversial issue among many mothers.

photo credit: rocknroll_guitar

The Center of Disease Control reports that breastfeeding mom can safely get the flu shot without harm to their babies. You can view a chart on their website here.

Many breastfeeding mothers believe that if they receive the flu shot, their baby will receive the antibodies through breast milk. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

However, any viruses mommy encounters, will trigger her body to produce antibodies in the breast milk to help baby fight off an infection. This happens even during the same nursing! So if someone with a cold sneezes on you and you happen to be breastfeeding your baby, your body will start producing antibodies in that same feeding. Amazing huh?!

Of course, many people are reconsidering the idea of the flu shot altogether. Deaths from flu do occur even today with modern medical treatments, but deaths have also been reported from the flu shot. Some opponents of the flu shot and other vaccines say that the focus should be on keeping yourself healthy enough to avoid the flu altogether, or if you do get it, having an immune system healthy enough to respond appropriately and avoid complications. Certainly it’s not a simple decision to make and further research is a good idea.

Tags: breastfeeding and health care