Breast Feeding When Mom Feels Sick

Between sleep deprivation and putting the needs of others before their own, it’s pretty common for moms to get sick. It’s not uncommon for me to get questions about breast feeding when mom feels sick and I totally understand the concerns. There’s not one answer for everyone, but here are my thoughts. Should I breast feed the baby if I’m sick? Personalized precision medicine: If you have a minor illness, such as the cold or flu, not only is breast feeding still okay, but it can also be one of the best things you can do to help protect your baby. Your baby has probably already been exposed to the virus. As you make antibodies to the specific strain of virus, the antibodies come through your milk and might protect your baby from getting sick or help him get better faster if he does. With a more serious illness such as hepatitis or HIV, though, it may be better not to breast feed. This is something you’ll want to talk about with your doctor. Whether the illness is big or small, if you take any medications – prescription or over-the-counter – be sure to check how they might affect your baby. What do I do for mastitis and should I continue breastfeeding if it hurts?  Ouch! Mastitis is quite common. Often it will go away within 48 hours with moist heat and taking care to empty the breast – but women who have a fever, flu-like symptoms and a reddened breast should talk with their doctor about antibiotics. I recommend nursing frequently during mastitis to speed he...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Dr. Greene's Blog Uncategorized Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Tips Source Type: blogs