A recent study brings some encouraging news for new moms regarding COVID-19 protection. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that breast milk from vaccinated mothers, as well as those who had previously been infected, contains COVID antibodies. This means that new moms might be able to pass on vital immune support to their little ones through breast milk.
The Study Overview
The study, which was published in JAMA Pediatrics, involved analyzing the breast milk of 77 mothers—47 who had experienced a COVID infection and 30 who had received the vaccine. The goal was to see if their breast milk had any antibodies and to track how those levels changed over time. Interestingly, the moms who had been infected showed high levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies, whereas those who were vaccinated had elevated levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Both of these are essential for fighting off infections and severe illness from COVID.
Key Findings
One exciting takeaway is that antibodies were still found in breast milk three months after vaccination or infection, which is a longer duration than previously documented. While earlier studies showed some presence of antibodies, the duration has always been a bit of a mystery. Dr. Emily Parker, an assistant professor in Pediatric Immunology at URMC, emphasized that it’s not just the presence of antibodies that matters; they need to be functional enough to neutralize the virus. The good news is that the study found that the active antibodies from both infected and vaccinated mothers can indeed help neutralize the virus.
Unanswered Questions
However, there are still some unanswered questions. One of the biggest is whether these antibodies in breast milk can actually protect nursing infants from COVID infections. According to co-author Dr. Alex Rivera, while the findings are encouraging, they don’t definitively prove that babies are shielded from illness. It’s important to note that breast milk antibodies should not be seen as a replacement for vaccines for infants and children once they become available.
Support for New Moms
For those on a journey to motherhood, whether through natural means or home insemination, you can join a community of support at Make a Mom or explore options with Make a Mom, which offers innovative at-home insemination solutions, including their re-usable insemination kit. You can also learn about the procedure through this guide. Plus, if you’re looking for more insights on fertility, check out this article on IVF options.
Conclusion
In summary, new research highlights that vaccinated and previously infected mothers can pass COVID antibodies through breast milk, potentially offering some level of protection to their babies, though further study is needed. This is a promising development in understanding how maternal immunity works in the context of COVID-19.
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