Baby

Donating my vaccinated breastmilk gave me hope during lockdown





This simple act helps researchers learn more about breastmilk antibodies and makes me feel like I’m doing something that matters.

I love maternity leave, but staying home during a pandemic with my baby and preschooler for more than a year left me with a weird sense of nearly-constant helplessness. Playing with my kids and binging Netflix after bedtime was lovely, sure, but I didn’t feel like I was contributing to the larger world. It was not until I had my “Covid baby,” got vaccinated, and had the chance to donate my breast milk to an antibody study that I finally felt hope. 

I got my first dose of a COVID mRNA vaccine in April, when my son was 10 months old. I was so heartened to see so many new parents lining up for their vaccines, with their babies in tow. These tired young moms and dads were getting vaccinated for their own protection and for the public good, even when it wasn’t an easy system for anyone to figure out, and even when the lines were long. 

The second that vaccine was in me, I felt like I had a superpower. I could finally do something to keep my baby safe. Soon after, I jumped at the chance to participate in a post-vaccine breastmilk antibody study through Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

The milk study I joined was geared towards finding out if antibodies to SARS-COV-2 are secreted into the breastmilk of those who are recently vaccinated. They’re also interested in understanding when antibodies first appear in a nursing mom’s breastmilk, and how long they continue to be present. 

After receiving my first dose of vaccine, I hand-expressed (I hate pumping) 15ml once a day for seven days. I used the provided droppers and vials to split up each 15ml, then did this once a week until four weeks after my second dose. It’s all in the freezer in marked orange biohazard bags (appetizing!) and they’ve provided a UPS label to speed ship it all back to the milk bank when I’m done.

Honestly, participating has been liberating. For the first time, I finally feel like I’m doing something concrete—something that matters. 

a mom holds her child outside while posing for a photo

Photo: Courtesy of Laura Cockburn-Tulk

I did see lots of judgement and uninformed comments online, criticizing nursing moms for getting vaccinated at all, and suggesting donors and study participants like me are using their children as “test babies.” While those fear-mongering types were judging other moms, spreading misinformation and prolonging the pandemic, I felt like I was literally squeezing out a little hope each time I sat down to hand-express. I was finally making a tangible contribution to this global crisis, instead of just following the news and infection rates.

And now we know—spoiler alert!—from all the other studies going on that the emerging evidence is encouraging. Vaccine ingredients are NOT found in breastmilk, but antibodies ARE. And it’s accepted that getting the vaccine while pregnant or nursing is safe, and even recommended: babies of vaccinated moms have been born with antibodies, and babies breastfed by vaccinated moms may gain some protection, too. 

In fact, I know some vaccinated parents are even pumping in order to restart lactation, so they can give their child their post-vaccination milk. Some moms on maternity leave are delaying weaning to offer some sort of protection to their babies. And I’ve heard of others regularly giving their older children pumped milk mixed with chocolate milk, to give them the only protection (other than masks and isolation) they can, until vaccines for kids are available. 

Contributing to science in this confusing time—helping us find answers and the path out of this pandemic—was very cool, in a science-nerd way, and it was comforting. It was a way to do my part for the common good, and it gave me a sense of momentum during the miserable third wave this past spring. I also felt a little less scared nursing my sweet-smelling baby in the middle of the night, thinking of new variants and their unknown impacts or long-haul ramifications, knowing he was a little more protected. And it felt like together, we were getting one step closer to returning to normal life. 

Read More

View source article.

Barbie: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Creativity
Psychological Insights: Unraveling the Core of Challenging Children – Exploring their Formative Years
The Two Main Challenges of Adolescence for Parents
The Mysteries of Extended Breastfeeding: From Family Irritation to Mother-to-Mother Comparisons
The Mysteries of Extended Breastfeeding: From Family Irritation to Mother-to-Mother Comparisons
Prince Harry Opens Up About When He Knew Meghan Markle
Rich Pregnant vs Broke Pregnant
How To Watch The Perseid Meteor Shower With Your Family
Baby Care Tips
How to Care a newborn kitten
Main Tota Hare Rang Ka
Drug Free Kids
Barbie: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Creativity
The Importance of a Comfort Blanket for Children: A Crucial Psychological Comfort
Fostering Self-Confidence in Early Childhood: Insights from Maria Montessori and Françoise Dolto
Addressing Nightmares with Your Child: A Step towards Alleviating Fears
The Profound Nexus of Dreams and Sleep Disturbances in Juveniles: A Comprehensive Psychological and Biological Analysis
The Mysteries of Extended Breastfeeding: From Family Irritation to Mother-to-Mother Comparisons
Addressing Nightmares with Your Child: A Step towards Alleviating Fears
Essential Items Every Mom Should Carry in Her Bag for Handling Minor Mishaps
Child Development: Are You Anxious About Autistic Risks?
Autism: Tools To Adapt Yourself To Your Child’s Emotions And Unexpressed Requests
Essential Items Every Mom Should Carry in Her Bag for Handling Minor Mishaps
Why You Should Take Your Kid to Charity Shops Even If You are Wealthy
Mindfulness with Your Kids
The Psychological Contents of Halloween