I'm Sick... Can I Still Breastfeed? =(

It sounds like you are well past the congageous stage. Get that baby back to breast! :) Hope you feel better soon!

Hi S.-

It's a bummer that you are sick. I hope you feel better soon. I always breastfed when I was sick. I was told that the milk has antibodies in it that will protect the baby. Formulas don't have that protection so you should stay away from them.

Feel batter and I hope you have a happy new year!

The only time you shouldn't BF your child is if you are taking medications which pass to the breastmilk and are harmful to the baby!

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS breastfeed when you're sick. It's the best protection for your baby. That's why breastfed babies are sick less often and less severely than formula fed babies. Seriously, formula should only be given by prescription for mothers who can't produce milk and have no other means of getting breastmilk into their children!

I 2nd the other mums who are saying Yes!! (as long as you're not taking meds that say "do not take while breastfeeding")

Not only will you be giving him antibodies to your cold...but it's actually MUCH MUCH MUCH better for him to catch YOUR cold then the one from someone at the grocery store. Because, of course, he'll be full of the antibodies for your cold. Our bodies aren't very fair...we stay sick longer when we're nursing because a significant portion of the antibodies we're creating are exiting through our milk.

Remember to be eating extra protein & fats (darn)...like chicken soup, or turkey & extra gravy, or nuts and chocolate, etc., since those (the lipids and proteins, not the bonbons) are the building blocks for our immune system... & Nurse away!

Yes. I've been breastfeeding my now 10 month-old since birth and have weathered several illnesses (colds, stomach flu, etc.) and my doctor tells me that continuing to nurse him while I'm sick actually helps him build antibodies to whatever I'm battling to help his immune system guard against it. At first it sounded kinda crazy but I've followed that advice and he's been fine through everything. We've both had our fair share of germs passed from one another but I'm happier knowing I'm helping him to ward off bigger germs later on. Good luck!

B. D.

Nurse away, S.! It's the best thing you can do. As a matter of fact, while your body is fighting this cold, the antibodies you make are passed to your baby in the milk, so nursing him is actually a better protection from your germs than staying away from him!
Feel better soon! :)

You should ALWAYS breastfeed when you are sick. Just make sure you wash your hands really well before. He needs those antibodies and fresh milk is the best, as opposed to frozen or refrigerated. The only time you shouldnt bf is when you are on medication that is harmful to the baby when passed thru your milk. Some medications are fine tho.

Breastfeed! Your body is making immunities to what you're fighting and you'll pass those on to your baby. It's the best thing you can do for your baby!

I have heard that the baby needs the antibiotics from your breast milk, so I suggest you still give the milk. I actually nursed when I was sick and my little girl didn't get sick. Good luck!

Best thing to do is keep on breastfeeding. Your little one has already been exposed so you are giving him your antibodies to fight it off. Oh and take a bunch of vitamin C for yourself to fight it off. : )

Definitely breastfeed - one of the best things you can do is pass on the immunities your body is building against your illness so your little one doesn't get sick.

From what I've learned, it's actually MORE important to breastfeed when you're sick. That's because you pass on all the white blood cells your body has produced to fight your virus onto your baby. My doctor told me that even before the mother has the symptoms of the virus, the breastmilk already contains the cells to help the baby fight it off. Pretty amazing! Feel better!!

Definitely give him the breastmilk - he will get your antibodies and be less likely to get sick. You can't pass the virus to him via breastmilk.

Yes, absolutely, keep on nursing that baby. I nursed for 21 months, through sickness and not, and my duaghter is the healthiest child I know. You pass along your bodies' antibodies through your milk when your body is fighting something off, so keep on keeping on! :)

Hi S., Great question! When you're sick your body creates antibodies which your baby will get from your milk. You should definitely keep nursing as even if he gets a cold, it will mild (it IS okay for them to get sick, even good for them, as it builds their immune system. It does not mean you're a bad mom). The formula does not have the antibodies in it and will not help him if he does get sick. Nursing is the best thing you can do for your baby, because he gets antibodies from your milk whether you are sick or not. Even the pumped milk is better than the formula. Feel better soon, and don't worry about taking care of your son the way you think is best!

Hope this helps!

A.

Don't stop breastfeeding. 1) You can get an a breast infection from stopping suddenly. 2 Your body is making immunity to the sickness. That is what protects your baby. Breastmilk is the best thing for him.

The onlytime you should stop if is if you were on a dangerous medicine that isn't safe.

YES, don't stop!

Hope you feel better soon!

Your breastmilk gives him the antibodies from your illness! Breastfeed him!!!!!!!!

By nursing while you have a cold or virus you actually pass on the antibodies that your body creates to fight off the bug. This gives your baby the ammunition to fight it off and helps to build his immune system. So YES, definately breastfeed when you have a cold! It's the best preventative medicine possible :-)

Yes, he won't catch your cold. I've been sick before and nursed and my son has never caught my colds or anything else. Actually, he is rarely sick and I really feel it is because of the breastmilk. Plus, I feel when I breastfeed it makes me stronger and my cold does not linger that way it use to in the past.
best of luck,
ceci

Here's a great website on breastfeeding. The first link will give you Kelly's credentials.
http://www.kellymom.com/about/kelly-bio.html

If you read down on this page you will come across the following excerpt-
http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html

"The best thing you can do for your baby when you're sick is to continue to breastfeed. When you have a contagious illness such as a cold, flu, or other mild virus, your baby was exposed to the illness before you even knew you were sick. Your milk will not transmit your illness to baby, but it does have antibodies in it that are specific to your illness (plus anything else you or baby have been exposed to) - they'll help prevent baby from getting sick, or if he does get sick, he'll probably not be as sick as you.

Withholding your breastmilk during an illness increases
the possibility that baby will get sick, and deprives baby
of the comfort and superior nutrition of nursing."

I hope you find this helpful. Normally I am a big proponent of oil of oregano to knock out any viral infection. It is NOT recommended when breastfeeding. Drink lots of water, limit sugar intake, including juices. Steam, get your Neti pot out and use it. I hope you feel better soon.

You can still breastfeed if you're sick. Your body produces antibodies that gets passed onto your infant when you breastfeed. So, it's actually protecting your baby!
The only time a mom should not breastfeed is if she has HIV, AIDS, or is using illegal drugs.
Good job on the breastfeeding. Keep it up!!

Absolutely keep breast feeding! This is better than a flu shot. A small small strain of the virus is present in the breast milk when you are sick, not enough to negatively impact your infant or make him sick, but enought to build his immune system. I breast fed my 14 year old for 14 months and only breast fed my 9 year old for 4 months and the health difference between the two is uncanny. I swear it si because of the breast feeding.

Please give the baby your milk! It contains a lot of antibodies that will help protect him from your cold and other illnesses.

Start breastfeeding him now! He could get sick, even if you are keeping your distance, but you absolutly should still be nursing. YOur antibodies will be passed to him through the breastmilk so he will start to get them even before he gets sick. Breastfed babies are sick less and for less time than formula babies for that reason. Even if you baby got sick before you, he would pass some of the germs to you through nursing, and your body would start making the antibodies for it, even before syptoms occur in the baby! It's great, so get your little one back to you, and have some special snuggle time while giving him "mother's medicine" ! :-)

I'm joining everyone in saying YES, go ahead. It's safe. You'll pass your antibodies (not the illness) through your milk.

When my son was about 5 months old (he's 8.5 yrs old now) I had the WORSE flu. I was on the couch for 3 days because of muscle aches and fatigue. I kept nursing. He wasn't on any formula. He didn't get sick at all.

I haven't read your other replies, but yes, you can. viruses don't get transferred in the milk, in fact it gives the antibodies to your baby to prevent him from getting it....very amazing indeed.
I hope you feel better. It's always hard to be sick and be mom.

All the more reason to breastfeed. She will get your antibodies through your milk. I was very ill twice when my daughter was a newborn and she never got sick. Keep it up and feel better soon!

dear S.,
your baby was already exposed before you got sick; your milk offers protection, as it creates antibodies on demand, even to things you haven't had. breastfeeding gives you an opportunity to rest with your baby so you can recuperate faster. your baby needs all of you, so enjoy this special time together!
N.

Give him your milk, no matter what it's the best thing for him and it doesn't havfe your germs in it.

Dear S.,
One of the best things about breastfeeding is that you pass along immunities to your baby through your breast milk. While understandably we would naturally thing that it's best to keep out distance, you should keep your baby close to you. As your body fights the cold, so will your baby's body. Now if your doctor has put you on antibiotics, you'd want to check if it was okay to continue to breastfeed but I would definitely continue to breastfeed throughout your cold. You're helping your baby develop an immunity to a cold that he won't have to fight on his own in the future. :)
Good Luck and hope you feel better!
K.

yes, can and should. your body is fighgting the infection right now and your baby'immune system will benefit from exposure to that fight.
Wishindg your fast and full recovery,
V

I have a 16 month old and have nursed him thru my own bout of bronchitis and the stomach flu. You have antibodies in your milk that will build his immune system, rather than hurt him. My son never got sick from any of my illnesses,
and I exclusively breast fed. Congratulations on your beautiful boy! Feel better!

Hope you get better soon. Your milk should be fine...the infection is not in the bloodstream and not in the milk. Wear a mask when you breast feed him. Also like others said your antibodies that you develop will be passed on and help him if he does get sick.
H.

S.,
Congrats on your new babe. Yes, you can still breastfeed. For the most part, your baby is immune, but, even if he gets a cold, he'll be okay; it's all part of the growing and strengthening of his immune system. If you get to the point where you have to take medicine, just ask your doc for a baby-safe med. I had several medicine-requiring infections when I was breastfeeding and as long as the doc knew and prescribed the appropriate med, it didn't phase either of my children. There is a whole book that docs have of meds that are acceptable and unacceptable for pregnant and nursing moms. =0) Drink lots of fluid, increase your vitamins (esp. C), and get as much rest as you can.
Hope this helps! Also, if you don't have the book, What to Expect: The First Year (I think that's the title....it's the partner to What to Expect When You're Expecting), it's a very helpful book with these types of questions.
Be well and happy new year,
L. =0)

Oh S.! Sorry to hear you are sick. Yes! you can still breastfeed! Don't give formla! Formula has no healing properties. You can not pass the virus through the breastmilk. In fact, the breastmilk has healing antibiodies in it that will help protect your baby. Chances are the baby was exposed when you were. The baby needs breastmilk more than ever.

S. W. LM, CPM, RN
homebirthwaterbirth.com

yes u can breastfeed...when you're sick you have antibodies that are good for baby that helps fight whatever illness u have..so it's perfectly fine to give baby your breast milk..she will get your antibodies.

Hello S.,
I breastfed my daughter until she was close to 18 months old. She is now 5. I just continued breast feeding her when I was sick. I never had a stomach flu or anything extremely bad, but I would think a cold and/or sore throat would be ok. I never thought about it at that time. Well, I'm not a doctor or nurse, but I would think it is ok to continue if you have just a cold.
You could put in a quick call to your pediatritian.
I'm interested in what others say! Good luck!
L.

Yes, just be careful if you are taking any medications for the cold - you should check with your doctor (or check the medication label) to make sure you can take it while breastfeeding. If it says "do not take while breastfeeding" then either discard the milk you may have pumped while on it, or just don't take it at all. Good luck!! :)

Hi S.,

I'm glad this crisis is past and your breastfeeding continues to go well. I commend you for you for doing what is best for your baby. You got some great advice from the mamas! I just wanted to add that I market a product that provides superior nutrition in the form of concentrated fruits and veggies in a capsule for adults and gummie treats for kids. It is great for pregnant and nursing moms, especially since they sometimes don't have time to eat properly. You can view my Mamasource profile for more info.

God bless you,

M.

Your breastmilk has very strong antibodies from the virus/flu so giving your baby the breastmilk is the best antibiotic medicine out there to the bug you have. It is in the Breastfeeding Book by Martha Sears. I was in the same situation you are, sick and nursing my 4 month old daugther. She did end up getting my bug but she got better in 2 days and she was a lot stronger than I could have ever imagined and it was because the nursing comforted and strengthened her. Your baby will be exposed to lots of bugs and get sick, but the best thing to do is nurse through it all, you create the antibody and give that immunity to your baby.
Best of luck and feel better soon!!!
E.

Yes! You should, you will be passing all the antibodies to protect your child. It helps build the child immune system. One of the great benefits to breast feeding.

it's not necessary to stay away from your baby. i never did with my 3 kids, the breastmilk is great for their immune systems, and helps, you can't really prevent your baby getting your cold if he/she is around you all the time, just boost their immune system by nursing as much as possible. i came down with the flu when my lil one was 2 mos and she didn't get anything from me, maybe a little runny nose, if that, and i nursed her the whole time. good luck!

Congrats on your baby!

Yes, still breastfeed. The antibodies should help him fight whatever you have so he doesn't get it too.

By all means give him the breast milk! He also is getting the antibodies in it so it'll help him even if he does get sick. The virus won't get to him through the milk, it comes from water droplets from you nose and mouth, from sneezing, coughing, etc. and then him touching what you touched (door handles, etc.) so wash, wash, wash your hands! Hope you feel better soon!

YES!!! You can and should still breastfeed!! You don't need to pump, you don't need to supplement. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for him while you or he is sick.

Also, don't worry if he does get sick - breastfeeding is the best thing you can do to keep him from getting sick or if he does, lessening the severity of it.

I hope you are feeling better soon and congrats on your baby boy!!
M.

S.,

You should breastfeed. Your body is producing antibodies that will pass through your baby through your milk. You are contagious at least 2 days before you have symptoms so your baby has already been exposed. There is no point staying away from him. But your milk may prevent him from getting sick or make his sickness much more mild if he does get sick. The answer to pretty much almost any question on whether to breastfeed or give formula is "breastfeed." Mother nature had all of this stuff worked out long before mankind invented formula. Breast is almost always best (there are some drugs incompatible with breastfeeding but even with most meds, the answer is still breastfeed). All of that milk you've pumped? Feed it to him or freeze it.

T.

Your milk will not pass on the virus/infection. Even if you have a breast infection it will not be passed on. Drugs you take may be passed on in small doses. Get advice from your doc on those. Your milk is your son's immune system at this point in his life. He needs your milk.

Sorry for being late on this reply but I had to say that I am getting over a very bad cold that has lasted for almost 2 weeks. I did not stop breastfeeding and I cosleep with my 7 week old baby, so she is around me all the time. Everyone in this household caught this bug but her.

My husband missed work, and my 4 year old also felt bad also.

I slept alot to help heal from this illness and she was right by my side, resting with me or nursing.

Breastmilk is the absolute best! Do not ever stop unless you are advised to by a Dr, which is usually the case if you are taking a strong medicine.

I did not take any OTCs, I just drank a lot of fluid and rested alot, and now I am close to feeling healthy again.

I just wanted to add that I had food poisoning when my son who is now almost three was two months old. I chose not to breastfeed him and tried to give him formula; which we kept around the house just in case.

You were blessed that your child took the formula; my son would not eat all day. After my vomiting and diarrhea subsided, we felt that it was safe to breastfeed him again.

It was very scary.

I have to say that that was the only time that I was sick. Breastfeeding helps both the mother and the child from getting sick. It is the best/breast drug. My son still breastfeeds once a day as I have terrible morning sickness so I had to cut him way back.

I want him to wean himself as it truly is the best for them. I have read study after study. When I first started, I took one day at a time. However, long he wanted to breastfeed was up to him. I think three is a good number.

Also, for the future, if your child is sick and throwing up as they get older and are around more children, obviously, they have a tendency to get sick. Keep breastfeeding. My son would throw up and want what he calls the boo. He'd be good for a while and then throw up again. This virus lasted two weeks in most kids; with my son, it didn't last 23 hours. Once I saw this, I decided not to push the weaning.

G-D Bless you and yours,

R.

You and your baby have the same germs or share DNA. Your breastmilk will keep him healthy. That's great that you are pumping to keep your supply up. If you can skip the formula- I would. Also babies DO get sick sometimes and this builds their immunity.Feel better soon! Best, H.