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home insemination kits with syringes
I always knew I would receive the Covid vaccine as soon as I became eligible. I was ready to sign up and help put an end to this nightmare as quickly as possible. I also anticipated still breastfeeding my little boy when I got vaccinated, and I was fully committed to that choice. My sweet boy, born on April 2, 2020, has grown into an energetic one-year-old. He arrived during a chaotic time, and I felt immense relief and joy when I received my final dose of the Pfizer vaccine on April 1, 2021. It wasn’t lost on me that my last shot coincided with the day I went into labor and just a day before his first birthday – it truly felt like a full circle moment.
I opted for the vaccine not just for my own protection but for his as well. That adorable little boy is now receiving antibodies, as early studies suggest that antibodies from the Covid vaccine can be transferred through breast milk. This news has me thrilled!
But what about my two older children? At just five and three years old, they’re too young to receive the vaccine. We hope they’ll be eligible soon, but until that day comes, they remain unprotected. Given the persistent nature of this pandemic (which is all I’ve known, being my first), I decided to take some unconventional steps. It occurred to me that they too could benefit from those amazing antibodies found in my breast milk.
I can’t take full credit for this idea; my wonderful sister-in-law suggested during a conversation about the vaccine that I should share my surplus breast milk with my older kids. It was a lightbulb moment! I quickly grabbed their milk cups and mixed an ounce of my breast milk into each. While it’s not a huge amount, I believe it’s better than nothing.
I feel fortunate that I can continue to breastfeed my baby boy while also providing some extra milk to my older children. Instead of beginning the weaning process, I’m nursing him as usual, pumping when I can, and doing a bit extra to ensure all three of my kids receive some breast milk. So, every morning, I sneak an ounce of breast milk into their cups without them knowing. I’m not even sure they would care if they did, but if it means giving them any protection against this virus that has disrupted their lives, I’m all in.
It’s interesting how quickly our perspectives and parenting decisions can shift. Just over a year ago, if someone had told me I would be giving my two older kids breast milk, I would have laughed at the idea. Desperate times call for unexpected measures!
If you’re interested in learning more about at-home insemination, check out this other blog post. For more on home insemination kits, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, this link provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
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Summary: In a unique approach to protect her children during the pandemic, a mother shares her experience of mixing breast milk into her older kids’ drinks to pass on Covid antibodies. Despite initial reservations, she embraces this unconventional method to keep her family safe while continuing to breastfeed her youngest child.