Donating Vaccinated Breast Milk Gave Me Hope During the Lockdown

During the pandemic, staying at home with my baby and preschooler for over a year left me with a strange feeling of helplessness. While playing with my kids at bedtime and binge-watching Netflix was certainly fun, I couldn’t shake the sense that I wasn’t contributing to the wider world. That all changed after I had my “COVID baby,” got vaccinated, and had the opportunity to donate my breast milk for antibody research. Finally, I felt like I was doing something meaningful.

The Moment I Felt Like I Was Making a Difference

In April of this year, when my son was 10 months old, I received my first dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Seeing so many other young parents lining up with their children to get vaccinated was incredibly reassuring. These tired but determined parents were doing their part to protect themselves and the public, even though the process was far from easy and the lines were long.

The moment I received the vaccine, I felt like I had superpowers. For the first time, I felt like I was doing something to protect my child. Shortly afterward, I took the opportunity to participate in a study at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, focused on breast milk antibodies following vaccination.

Breast Milk Antibody Research: A Way to Contribute

The goal of the research I joined was to investigate whether vaccinated mothers produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in their breast milk. The study also aimed to track when these antibodies appear in milk and how long they last.

After receiving my first dose, I manually expressed 15 milliliters of breast milk every day (I really dislike pumping) for seven consecutive days. I used the provided pipettes and small bottles to store the milk in 15ml increments, and repeated the process each week until four weeks after my second dose. Everything was stored in my fridge in orange biohazard bags (not the most appetizing sight!), and I was given a UPS label to quickly send the samples to the breast milk bank after each session.

Honestly, being a part of this made me feel liberated. For the first time, I felt like I was doing something tangible—something important. I wasn’t just a bystander in the pandemic; I was contributing to something bigger.

Facing Judgment and Misinformation

Of course, I encountered plenty of judgment and ignorance online. Some critics accused breastfeeding mothers like me who got vaccinated of using our babies as “test subjects.” It was frustrating, especially when these fear-mongers spread misinformation and extended the pandemic. But every time I sat down to pump, I knew I was helping to create hope. I wasn’t just absorbing news and infection rates—I was actively contributing to combating this global crisis.

Encouraging Results from Breast Milk Research

Now, we know from all the ongoing research—spoiler alert!—the evidence is promising. While breast milk doesn’t contain vaccine ingredients, it does contain antibodies. It’s now widely accepted that getting vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is not only safe but recommended. Vaccinated mothers pass on antibodies to their newborns at birth, and their breastfed babies may also receive some protection.

In fact, I know of some vaccinated parents who have even resumed breastfeeding to provide their babies with post-vaccine milk. Some mothers on maternity leave have delayed weaning, knowing that their milk now provides a certain level of protection. I’ve also heard of parents offering pumped milk to older children as a protective measure until the pediatric vaccine is available.

Feeling Empowered Through Scientific Contribution

Contributing to science during such a confusing time has been incredibly rewarding—not just as a science enthusiast, but also as a mother. It felt good to know I was doing my part to help us find answers and pave the way out of this pandemic. This contribution gave me purpose, especially during the grim third wave of the pandemic last spring. It also gave me peace of mind when taking care of my sweet-smelling baby in the middle of the night. Knowing that he had an extra layer of protection made me feel less afraid of the unknown long-term consequences of emerging variants. It felt like we were one step closer to returning to normal life.