When you’re a mom with a cold, you worry about getting your kids sick, and this is especially true if you’re breastfeeding. Dozens of questions run through your mind: Should you continue to nurse your baby? Will breastfeeding while sick make your child sick? Will you be able to handle the challenges of breastfeeding while under the weather?
However, there’s good news: A run-of-the-mill illness (such as a cold, flu or stomach bug) doesn’t mean the end of your breastfeeding relationship. “Since the baby is in contact with the mother long before she shows symptoms of an illness, there isn’t any reason to stop breastfeeding,” says Irene Zoppi, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and clinical education specialist at Medela. In fact, both you and your baby will benefit if you continue to breastfeed. Here’s everything you need to know about breastfeeding while sick.
The Benefits for Your Baby
Continuing to breastfeed through an illness can actually help protect your baby from the infection. When you get sick, your body produces antibodies, and you pass these on to your baby in your breast milk. “Antibodies to the germs moms are exposed to are in their milk within forty minutes,” says Jennifer Ritchie, an IBCLC, owner of Milkalicious and author of “I Make Milk! What’s Your Superpower?”
For instance, if you come in contact with germs on a shopping cart, your body will have already produced antibodies in your breast milk by the time you come home from your grocery trip.
Breast milk also creates a coating in your baby’s nose and throat to prevent germs from entering her body. “Breast milk is powerful,” says Ritchie. “One drop of breast milk contains one million living white blood cells.” Often, a breastfed baby will be the only member of your household who doesn’t come down with a virus. If your baby does get sick, the antibodies in your breast milk will prevent the illness from progressing into something more serious.
Breastfeeding While Sick
Here are some tips to help you continue breastfeeding, even if you don’t feel well:
- Keep Germs at Bay
Even though your breast milk contains strong antibodies, you should still attempt to take measures that can prevent your little one from getting sick. Be sure to wash your hands often, limit face-to-face contact and avoid coughing or sneezing near your baby.
- Get Plenty of Rest
Breastfeeding can be exhausting when you feel under the weather. “The biggest challenge with being a nursing mother that is sick is that moms tend to put themselves last and not take any time to get better,” says Ritchie. You should stay in bed as much as possible. When it’s time to nurse, you can simply tuck your little one in bed with you and enjoy some cuddle time.
- Have Someone Take Care of You
According to Zoppi, one of the best things you can do is get a caregiver for yourself. Recruit your partner, family member or friend to help out while you’re sick. He or she can bring your baby to you to nurse and take care of household chores, while you focus on getting better.
- Drink Plenty of Fluids and Eat Well
Be sure to take in plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Also, follow a healthy diet so you can ensure that both you and your baby are getting all the nutrients you need. According to Ritchie, going long periods of time without eating or drinking can affect your prolactin levels and lower your milk supply.
- Use Natural Remedies
In order to limit the amount of medications you take while breastfeeding, Zoppi recommends that you try natural remedies to help you get back on your feet. “Use a vaporizer, a neti pot or inhale the steam from warm salt water,” she says.
- Feed As Usual
Withholding feedings can decrease your milk supply, so try to keep up with your regular schedule. Likewise, weaning abruptly could put you at risk for mastitis or engorgement. Weaning isn’t a good idea when you’re already under the weather.
If you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding while you’re sick, don’t hesitate to contact your baby’s pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
And of course, if you need some time to recover, consider hiring a mother’s helper on Care.com to keep an eye on your little one while you rest up.
Rebecca Desfosse is a freelance writer specializing in parenting and family topics.
* This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be providing medical advice and is not a substitute for such advice. The reader should always consult a health care provider concerning any medical condition or treatment plan. Neither Care.com nor the author assumes any responsibility or liability with respect to use of any information contained herein.
