If you are too sick to breastfeed or care for your baby, pump your milk and have a healthy caregiver feed your baby until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to nurse again.
Being sick for a few days is just a small bump in the road when it comes to the long breastfeeding game, so continue to breastfeed if you feel up to it and pump as often as you can.
When you have a cold, it is recommended you continue feeding your baby as you normally would, including breastfeeding or pumping. Your baby has already been exposed to the cold virus before you started to develop symptoms.
Seasonal illnesses can be especially tough on kids, but they can also be tough on breastfeeding mothers who nurse or pump. Being sick and taking care of little ones who may also be under the weather can take a toll, especially on mom's milk supply.
Breastfeeding mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should follow information on isolation and take these precautions: Wash their hands using soap and water before touching their child or expressing breast milk either by hand expression or with a breast pump.
If you have a cold or flu, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting, or mastitis, keep breastfeeding as normal. Your baby won't catch the illness through your breast milk – in fact, it will contain antibodies to reduce her risk of getting the same bug. “Not only is it safe, breastfeeding while sick is a good idea.
Should mothers continue breastfeeding if they have flu or come in contact with someone with flu? Yes. A mother's breast milk contains antibodies and other immunological factors that can help protect her infant from flu and is the recommended source of nutrition for the infant, even while the mother is ill.
Your body will still produce breast milk even if you are sick and it's important to rest and keep up your milk supply. If one is available, talk to a lactation support provider about how to keep up your milk supply if you have to stop breastfeeding for a while.
The truth about viruses is that they are usually pretty contagious even before you have symptoms. That's why viral illnesses are always going around. And even if you know you're sick, you still have to care for your baby, so there's definitely a chance you'll pass it along.
If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk: Use your own breast pump (one not shared with anyone else), if possible. Wear a mask as you express breast milk. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts, and before expressing breast milk.
Evidence shows that breastfed babies have considerable protection from such illnesses, and when they do become ill, relief can come directly from mother's milk. Colostrum, the early milk a breastfed newborn receives for a few days after birth, contains highly concentrated antibodies that protect against many diseases.
It may take a few days to a few weeks to see an increase, but the consistency should help.
Someone with a cold who touches your baby's hand can spread the cold virus to your baby, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Contaminated surfaces. Some viruses live on surfaces for two hours or longer. Your baby may catch a virus by touching a contaminated surface, such as a toy.
Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. This helps lower a baby's chances of getting many infections, including: ear infections.
Changes in Nursing Habits
Some babies want to nurse more when they're sick, while others nurse less (especially if they have a sore throat). If a baby refuses to nurse, pump to keep up your supply, and keep offering the breast at every feeding.
Often, babies will want to feed constantly while they have a cold. Their bodies know that they need the valuable milk that you are producing for an antibody hit to help them recover.
Sore throat
Throat lozenges containing local anaesthetic, antibacterial agents or benzydamine may be used while breastfeeding. Avoid excessive use as it may cause unwanted side effects such as diarrhoea. Gargling salt water or drinking lemon and honey products may also help to ease a sore throat.
Breastfeeding is known to be associated with better health outcomes in infancy and throughout adulthood, and previous research has shown that babies receiving breastmilk are less likely to develop asthma, obesity, and autoimmune diseases later in life compared to those who are exclusively formula fed.
In fact, there is some research that indicates that even as little as 50 ml of breastmilk per day may help prevent disease in breastfed babies. Additionally, our body recognizes the importance of this protection and increases the concentration of SigA as our milk supply begins to decrease.
Many babies with the virus will not show signs of illness and will recover fully. Some can develop an unstable temperature and/or a cough. Babies with infections do not always develop a fever.