Flu Shots?

[mrsdee1982]

I am super afraid of my LO getting the flu.  We go in for her 4 month appointment on October 2nd, and she'll get her 4 month shots then.  I believe, though I could be totally wrong, that she'll get her first flu shot dose then too.  I know babies need 2 doses though.  And I don't know when she would get her 2nd dose.  Maybe at the end of November at her 6 month appointment?

Anyways, what I am wondering, and this is probably a SSQ, is if I get the flu shot now, and I am EBF, would the antibodies my body produces in response to the shot transfer through my milk to her, allowing her to gain a little extra immunity?  

[mrsmonogrammed]

I don't think she would get the full immunity like if she had her own shot, but yes, through breast milk she should get some of the benefits of your personal flu shot.

My job requires us to get them, so DD would have mine + her actual vaccine as well. It makes me glad to get it, since like you said, theirs is 2 parts!

ETA- if she were actually old enough for the vaccine. Whoops!

[Widget123]

Our LO's aren't old enough to get the flu shot yet.  ETA and still won't be at 4 months.

That's why it is important for all family members to get it.  Yes, vaccine benefits can pass to baby through breastmilk.

[mrsdee1982]

Crap…Did not know that. Ugh. Ok, looks like it is off to Walgreens today for DH and I to get our flu shots.

[billyhorrible]

mrsdee1982, she'll probably get the shot at her 6 month appointment. I don't know if your doctor is like mine, but mine asked me to schedule the appointment as close to his 6 month birthday as possible so he could get it as soon as he was able.

[dmoney]

So I was going to ask my LO's pediatrician when we went in three weeks for her 4 month check up. But then after some googling I found this from Baby Center (So take it for what its worth)

"What's the recommended schedule for getting the flu vaccine?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone, including babies who are at least 6 months old. (Infants younger than 6 months aren't old enough to get vaccinated.) For other exceptions, see "Who shouldn't get the flu vaccine" below.

It's most effective to get the vaccine as soon as it's available in the fall to allow time for immunity to build up before flu season is in full swing. But if your child turns 6 months old during the winter, it's not too late to get it in January or even February."

I was planning on getting it because last year with the shot I got the flu in January and was almost sent to the hospital. I would really rather that not happen again this year. Plus if she got it and her fever spiked from my not getting it, I think I would never forgive my self. I have heard that when we are sick its still good to nurse because it passes the antibodies to our LO's.

[erbear]

I always get a flu shot and I was planning on getting mine in the next week or two. I teach and H teaches, so we're constantly around germs.

I do think LOs get some immunity from breastmilk though.

[dmoney]

Sept 15, 2015 19:32:06 GMT -5 budders said:

Sept 15, 2015 13:13:15 GMT -5 @imapenguin said:

I got the flu shot rigt before I found out I was pregnant last year and I'll be getting it soon this year as well. MHs office offers them for anyone covered by their insurance the last week in September. I've also texted all family members with reminders. DNW the flu in my house.

I need to tell MIL and FIL to get it. Is it really terrible that part of me hopes she fights me on it so that I have grounds to avoid her?

This made me LOL.  Please let us know how that conversation goes!

[hannahl201477]

Sept 15, 2015 19:32:06 GMT -5 budders said:

Sept 15, 2015 13:13:15 GMT -5 @imapenguin said:

I got the flu shot rigt before I found out I was pregnant last year and I'll be getting it soon this year as well. MHs office offers them for anyone covered by their insurance the last week in September. I've also texted all family members with reminders. DNW the flu in my house.

I need to tell MIL and FIL to get it. Is it really terrible that part of me hopes she fights me on it so that I have grounds to avoid her?

Nope. Mine are anti flu vaccine I woukd feel bad suggesting they get it since I'm not a fan of the in laws. But I would be pissed if he gets the flu from them. But wait who am I kidding. He is not the favorite they don't care if they see him. LOL

[hannahl201477]

Sept 16, 2015 19:10:16 GMT -5 budders said:

Sept 16, 2015 17:26:47 GMT -5 hannahl201477 said:

Nope. Mine are anti flu vaccine I woukd feel bad suggesting they get it since I'm not a fan of the in laws. But I would be pissed if he gets the flu from them. But wait who am I kidding. He is not the favorite they don't care if they see him. LOL

That's sad, I'm sorry. My MIL is passive aggressive, narcissistic and loves keeping score on how often she sees V compared to my parents. I don't think she actually wants to spend time with him, but just wants to be able to say that she saw him and have the pictures to prove it.

Gotta love when they take tons of pics to share on Facebook, but are never actually around. My FIL works out of town a lot.. He had been gone for a week and a half tonight would be the only night for him to see LO before we left for vacation. He called our nephew and sister in law over and we still have yet to hear from them. My feelings have been so hurt by that type of thing by them tonight was the last straw!!