Should breastfeeding continue when mama is sick? Under many scenarios, the answer is yes. If you have a basic cold, influenza, or stomach infection– even if you have a fever– it’s fine to breastfeed. It is really, very uncommon for a mom to have to stop breastfeeding for any health problem.
There are only a few extremely serious illnesses that may need a mother stop breastfeeding for a period of time or permanently. HIV (HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus) and HTLV-1 (human T-cell lymphotropic virus) are the only contagious diseases that are thought about absolute contraindications to breastfeeding in developed countries.
Can I Breastfeed With A Fever
During any “common” disease such as a cold, sore throat, influenza, belly bug, fever, mastitis, etc. you must continue to breastfeed. Just advise your doctor you are nursing so that if medications are needed he can recommend something that works with breastfeeding.
A lot of medications are safe to take while breastfeeding, and for those that are not advised there is generally an alternative medication that is safe.
If mother has food poisoning, breastfeeding need to continue. As long as the symptoms are restricted to the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps), breastfeeding need to continue without interruption as there is no risk to the baby.
This is the case with a lot of occurences of food poisoning. If the food poisoning progresses to septicemia, meaning the bacteria has entered mother’s blood stream and mother would probably be hospitalized.
Maternal infections of the genitourinary or intestinal tract do not pose a risk to babies other than in the unusual situations when septicemia occurs and bacteria might reach the milk.
Even in this occasion, continued breastfeeding while the mom gets suitable antibiotic therapy that works with breastfeeding is the most safe course for the baby.
If the contaminating organism is especially virulent or contagious (e.g., an invasive group A streptococcal infection causing severe disease in the mom), breastfeeding ought to continue after a temporary suspension during the first 24 hours of maternal therapy.
Prophylactic or empiric therapy for the infant, against the same organism, might be indicated.
The best thing you can do for your baby when you’re ill is to continue to breastfeed. When you have a contagious disease such as a cold, flu, or other mild virus, your baby was exposed to the illness before you even understood you were sick.
Your milk will not transmit your health problem to baby, however it does have antibodies in it that specify to your health problem (plus anything else you or baby have been exposed to)– they’ll help avoid baby from getting ill, or if he does get ill, he’ll most likely not be as sick as you.
Keeping your breastmilk during a disease increases the possibility that baby will get sick, and denies baby of the comfort and remarkable nutrition of nursing.
You can also take steps to prevent baby from getting ill by doing the normal things to prevent the spread of disease: washing hands frequently, prevent sneezing/coughing on baby, restricting in person contact, and so on.
When you’re sick, it can help to simply tuck baby into bed beside you and nurse lying down whenever baby gets starving.
Often times mamas do not nurse frequently enough and do not get enough fluids to keep the milk supply going. Often medications can cause your milk supply to lessen, as well.
To prevent a reduced milk supply, drink a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration, continue to nurse typically and avoid/limit any medications that have the tendency to reduce milk supply.
Mommy Answers
In truth, you most likely exposed the baby to your disease the day before you began revealing symptoms. And given that your body is installing an immune reaction, you pass those illness-fighting antibodies to your baby when you breastfeed, which will help protect him.
If you have a fever for more than three days, it’s best to visit your doctor to obtain the treatment you have to keep yourself healthy. If it turns out you have a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics, ensure to ask your doctor for an antibiotic that’s safe for breastfeeding.
If your only choice is to go on a medication that’s not suitable with breastfeeding, you can pump and dispose your milk while you’re on the medication. This will keep your milk provide up, and you can offer your baby saved breast milk or formula in the meantime.
While you’re ill, remember to drink lots of fluids. The more hydrated you are, the much better your milk supply will be and the more powerful your body will be. And always clean your hands prior to getting your baby and before breastfeeding.
Good luck! Have a nice weekend!
