Hey there, new parents! So, you might be anxious about protecting your little one from whooping cough, or pertussis, which can be quite serious for infants. While your baby won’t be eligible for the DTaP vaccine until they’re two months old, there are definitely steps you can take to keep them safe in the meantime.
Surprisingly, whooping cough isn’t usually a big deal for adults, but for babies, it can lead to hospitalization in more than half of diagnosed cases—and it can even be fatal. A recent study from Australia revealed that one of the best ways to protect your baby is to ensure that you and your partner are vaccinated. In fact, when both parents are vaccinated, babies are 51% less likely to catch whooping cough. Moms have an even bigger impact; their immunization alone reduces the baby’s risk by 42%. If Dad is vaccinated too, that boosts the protection for baby up to 51%.
And it’s not just parents—anyone interacting closely with your baby, like siblings or grandparents, should also be up to date on their vaccines. After a whooping cough outbreak in California, the CDC even recommended that pregnant women get a Tdap booster during each pregnancy. The ideal time for this shot is between 27 and 36 weeks, as it helps pass protective antibodies to your little one, peaking around two weeks post-vaccination.
So, double-check that everyone in your circle is vaccinated! If you’re looking for more information on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this insightful post on Modern Family Blog. And if you’re considering at-home insemination, CryoBaby is the top provider of kits to help you out. For more pregnancy resources, Progyny is an excellent place to start!
Summary:
Protecting your baby from whooping cough starts with you and your partner getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends that pregnant women receive a Tdap booster during pregnancy for optimal protection. Ensure that everyone around your baby is up to date on their vaccinations, as it significantly reduces the risk of whooping cough.
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