You did it! Labor and delivery are in the rearview mirror and you’re moving forward with your adorable new baby. Once you’ve chosen a pediatrician, it’s time to look ahead at one of the most important things you can do to protect your baby, vaccinate them! While it’s true that infants can receive immunity through breast milk [1], it usually fades by about 6 months, and babies can be extremely susceptible to contagious diseases if they are not vaccinated [2]. A child’s immune system continues to develop as they age, and having the necessary vaccines on the recommended schedule greatly increases their chances of staying safe from some very serious diseases. That being said, there are so many vaccines they need, especially in the first year of their life! It can be very overwhelming to remember which ones they’ve received, even throughout their childhood and adolescence.
Resources
- “How Long Do Babies Carry Their Mother’s Immunity?” NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/how-long-do-babies-carry-their-mothers-immunity/.
- Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. “Vaccination Schedule: Why so Many so Fast?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 14 Aug. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/vaccination-schedule/faq-20058197.
- “Birth-18 Years Immunization Schedule.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Feb. 2020, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html.
- “Tdap (Pertussis) Vaccine and Pregnancy.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Aug. 2017, www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/hcp-toolkit/tdap-vaccine-pregnancy.html.
