Flu and unvaccinated infants

[Anonymous]

Just got back from the Dr and found out I have the flu. I got the vaccine, so it is relatively mild (like a very very bad cold), but still not fun. Too late for me to take tamiflu- been sick for 6 days now.

I have a five month old, exclusively breastfed infant. Obviously she hasn’t had the flu vaccine yet. Yesterday, she started sounding a little congested and has a runny nose. But is otherwise acting normal and has no fever.

Has anyone had the flu while nursing an unvaccinated infant? I am nervous she will get really sick, but hopeful my breastmilk is helping her.

[Anonymous]

We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

Really? I thought they got antibodies from the moms breastmilk? My kids are older so I really don’t care about formula vs. breast milk but am genuinely curious if it only helps with gi infections

[Anonymous]

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/influenza.html

[Anonymous]

Op here. It definitely helps. It’s why I keep nursing even though I am sick. You should see my pumped milk this week. A totally different color than usual. Glad to hear others have had the flu and their infants have been ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

No, the antibodies in breastmilk change from day to day depending on the pathogens that the mom/baby are exposed to. You ALSO give the babies antibodies to things like measles at birth (more if you’ve had the actual diseases) but stuff like the flu changes from season to season so the protection against those things happens as you’re exposed to them.

Newborns actually have very weak immune systems - that’s why they’re so particular about hand washing in the hospital and they automatically admit babies under a month to the NICU if they present with any fever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

Why do you say this when all the available info contradicts it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

Why do you say this when all the available info contradicts it?

+1.This person is obviously a troll. No one thinks babies are born with very strong immune systems. Wtf do you think so many precautions are taken with newborns? Why do you think babies are especially vulnerable to RSV, the flu, etc? Do you think people’s immune systems just get continuously worse as they age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

No, the antibodies in breastmilk change from day to day depending on the pathogens that the mom/baby are exposed to. You ALSO give the babies antibodies to things like measles at birth (more if you’ve had the actual diseases) but stuff like the flu changes from season to season so the protection against those things happens as you’re exposed to them.

Newborns actually have very weak immune systems - that’s why they’re so particular about hand washing in the hospital and they automatically admit babies under a month to the NICU if they present with any fever.

This x 1000. I laughed when I read “newborns have very strong immune systems.” Um, what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

Why do you say this when all the available info contradicts it?

+1.This person is obviously a troll. No one thinks babies are born with very strong immune systems. Wtf do you think so many precautions are taken with newborns? Why do you think babies are especially vulnerable to RSV, the flu, etc? Do you think people’s immune systems just get continuously worse as they age?

Yup. Or someone who is self-conscious that they didn’t breastfeed.

[Anonymous]

Hope you all feel better soon. Breastfeed as much as possible. There will be higher concentrations of antibodies in your breastmilk than your blood!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just had the flu. Kids had high grade fevers but my then 2 month old just had a stuffy nose for a couple days, actually did far better than the kids. Breastmilk is incredible.

this has nothing to do with breastmilk. newborns have very strong immune systems due to antibodies they got through placenta. breastmilk has nothing to do with it - it can only help prevent GI infections.

Why do you say this when all the available info contradicts it?

+1.This person is obviously a troll. No one thinks babies are born with very strong immune systems. Wtf do you think so many precautions are taken with newborns? Why do you think babies are especially vulnerable to RSV, the flu, etc? Do you think people’s immune systems just get continuously worse as they age?

Yup. Or someone who is self-conscious that they didn’t breastfeed.

I’m a NP, and I breastfed 2 kids for 12+ months each for the record, and from all I’ve read, it’s true that breastmilk does essentially nothing for a virus like the flu as the baby can’t absorb any of the antibodies into their bloodstream through the gut. Breastmilk does provide antibodies that protect against gastrointestinal illnesses where they can operate directly in the gut. This is one summary of the science on this: https://thescientificparent.org/passive-immunity-101-will-breast-milk-protect-my-baby-from-getting-sick/. (Also, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12850343/). There are definitely benefits to breastfeeding, but science doesn’t show that it will help your baby avoid getting the flu. If you got the flu shot before the baby was born, it would provide some significant protection.

[Anonymous]

We all got the flu when my son was 6 months old exclusively breastfed. My husband and I were really miserable but my son surprisingly only have a very mild case. I think I breastfeeding a lot helped him. Good luck! Try to rest as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Didn't you get the flu shot when you were pregnant? If baby is 5 months old, then that would mean they were exposed to the shot from last fall.