Breastfeeding When You're Sick

If you are a new mother and are under the weather, things can get a bit tricky. There is no taking a day off from parenting. If you have a cold, you don’t have anything to worry about, when it comes to breastfeeding. Viruses such as the common cold don’t pass into the breast milk. So, breastfeeding your baby is safe and extremely beneficial. For other concerns, you may want to find a breast check up clinic near me. It’s a good idea to get all the information you need regarding breastfeeding while being sick.

Is it safe?
Yes, breastfeeding is still safe when you are under the weather. For a newborn, breast milk remains the healthiest nourishment source. Not just that, breast milk provides the baby with immunological benefits and antibodies which protect them from falling sick. If you feel too sick for breastfeeding, you can feed your baby expressed milk and it will offer the same benefits. Just make sure a healthy caregiver is bottle-feeding your baby.

Even when it comes to the COVID-19 disease, all the evidence suggests that the safest way of feeding babies is breast milk. If you have an active infection or are symptomatic, you can pump breast milk and have your baby fed by a healthy caregiver until it is safe for you to breastfeed directly. You should consult with your doctor regarding when and if you can breastfeed and also ask for some breastfeeding tips when you are sick.

Can you pass the illness through breast milk?
It is not possible to pass flu and cold viruses through breast milk. However, certain ailments that are more serious like brucellosis, HLTV-1, or HIV can be passed through breast milk. If you are diagnosed with such an illness, you need to consult with your health provider.

Will your milk supply be affected?
Yes, your milk supply can be affected by your illness. This can particularly happen if you are not pumping or breastfeeding as much as you should because you aren’t feeling well. However, a reduced milk supply is likely to be only temporary. You should breastfeed your child for months and fall sick for a few days is not too big of an issue. So, the best advice would be to continue breastfeeding and pump as frequently as you can.

Precautions to take to avoid your child from falling sick
When you are sick, it is recommended to take certain steps to avoid passing your illness to your baby. Some of them include:

• While you are sick, you should consider arranging for a caregiver to help take care of your baby. There is no need to try and do it all yourself. Have your partner or family members help with bathing, diapering, bedtime, and playtime. Getting some rest would be worth it as it will help you recover faster.
• When you are holding your baby, it would be a good idea to wear a mask. Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
• After coughing or sneezing, wash your hands with water and soap. You should also wash your hands before handling the breast pump.
• Using disinfectants on surfaces helps in avoiding the spread of diseases.
• Stay observant and try to notice if your child shows symptoms like fever, respiratory problems like slow or shallow breathing, or less responsiveness. If you do notice these signs, it's better to consult your doctor straight away.

One of the best ways of maintaining the health of the entire household is the flu vaccine. Expecting mothers should get the flu vaccine when they are pregnant to protect their baby and themselves. The flu vaccine is also recommended for the baby after six months. People around the baby, like partners, family members, and caregivers should get the vaccine as well. Regular clinical breast exam near you is also recommended for mothers.

What medicines are safe to take while nursing?
For most over-the-counter medications, there are warnings for breastfeeding mothers. So, before you take any medication, you should talk with your doctor. Having said that, there are a few medications that can be safely taken while breastfeeding such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Antihistamines, etc.
Lactation consultant at BirthRight by Rainbow will help you know and learn all about breastfeeding. Consult our experts now by calling 1800 2122.