Vaxxed is best: The power of the COVID-19 vaccine and breast milk

I love working with new moms. Every mom just wants to do what’s best for their babies. As a mom of a 1 and 4 year old, I know sometimes figuring out what is “best” for your baby and your family isn’t always straightforward. One subject that comes up often is breastfeeding.

First off, I understand some moms are unable or don’t want to breastfeed, and I always support moms in doing what they feel is best for themselves and their baby. 

For those moms who do either breastfeed, or pump and use a bottle, breast milk provides many benefits to the baby. Children’s Wisconsin has an incredible team of lactation consultants who have written blog posts on the benefits of breast milk, including preventing diarrhea and constipation, lower rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, certain types of meningitis, and fewer ear infections. Breast milk has probiotic factors, too, which helps to both support the immune system and serve as a nutrient source for healthy bacteria in the body. This helps in decreasing the risk of allergies, asthma, obesity and other chronic diseases. Research also shows that children who nurse for more than six months are less likely to develop childhood leukemia and lymphoma. 

Protecting our most vulnerable

Safe and effective 

The leaders at Children’s Wisconsin have worked tirelessly to understand and communicate the data that has come out over the last year about the COVID-19 vaccine. We know it is safe and our best tool in the fight against this pandemic. You can read and watch a video answering questions about the safety and efficacy of this life-saving vaccine. 

If you are pregnant and unvaccinated, the COVID-19 vaccine has been determined safe for pregnant moms and their babies. Erika Peterson, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with the Children’s Wisconsin Fetal Concerns Center, further explains risks of COVID-19 in pregnant women and the safety of the vaccine in this blog post. If you are unable to breast feed or simply don’t want to, you can still help protect your baby by getting the COVID-19 vaccine yourself and wearing a mask while out in public. 

I know parents have so many questions when it comes to their newborns. Your child’s pediatrician is a great place to start when you have questions concerning vaccines or anything else related to your baby’s safety and well-being. 

Lisa Chowdhury, MD Pediatrician Next Door Pediatrics

Our high standard of care has always required an uncompromising approach to safety. And during this COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to ensure every visit, appointment, procedure and surgery offered across all our Children's Wisconsin locations is safe. Learn more on our COVID-19 web page.