Breastfeeding - South Bend,IN

Go for it! Your body will make antibodies to whatever bug you've been exposed to and by breastfeeding you are passing those antibodies to your 3 month old. That way even if your baby gets sick, it'll be a lot milder than what you and others are going through.
Hope all of you feel better soon!

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I was told when I was sick to continue breastfeeding but stay out of her face, no kissing, etc. Illness can't be passed thru breast milk. Hope you're feeling better soon!

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Feed your baby!! Even while you are sick.. Just be sure to wash your hands often. I got super sick when my daughter was 4 months old and my Dr's office told me to keep nursing. Make sure you stay extra hydrated.
I hope your family gets on the mend soon!

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It's ok to breastfeed. In fact, it would be a very good thing so you can pass on your antibodies. Whatever germs you come in contact with you will make antibodies for and pass on to your baby. There's a good chance she won't catch it or if she does it will be way less severe than what the rest of the family has. Please make sure you get plenty of fluids to keep your milk supply up and I hope everyone feels better quickly!!!

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Nurse the baby. The baby will get the antibodies through your milk to what you are exposed to. Do wash your hands and attempt to not sneeze/cough on the baby BUT it is the best thing for the baby while everyone else is ill!

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DO IT! Anything your body is fighting will produce antibodies which gets into your milk. The BEST thing for her is to continue breastfeeding.

Breastfeed as much as you feel up to it, it's good for everyone. Even if the babe starts throwing up, having breastmilk (a little bit to see if she can keep it down) in there helps.

Breastmilk is considered "living food" because it's components will change to meet the baby's needs at that time. If the mom is sick, her body will make antibodies against the illness to protect the baby. so go ahead and keep nursing. It is best for baby if you are able.

Hope everyone gets well in your family soon. That is never fun!

Keep it up! It's actually very good for the baby due to the antibodies and such passed through the milk. As always, good handwashing/hygeine is the key to keep baby from getting it...good luck

I'll throw my 2cents in too... we are facing the same thing here at our house and I am still BF'ing my 6mo son. Anything your body is fighting off won't be passed through the milk (as in the flu bugs) but the antibodies will. Plus all the normal immune boosting good stuff. :-)

DO IT! Your baby needs nourishment and nothing is better than YOUR milk :) That baby is around all the germs in your house even if you stay away... IN the house is close enough she has been exposed already... Breastfeed her :)

If you were her, would you want breast milk or something else?

Also breast milk is passing on your immunities to her

She has already been exposed to the germs. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for her as your body is producing the antibodies to the flu you have. She is likely to not get it at all or get a much more minor illness than you.

Plus it is stressful to not nurse all of a sudden, you don't need additional stress when you are ill, not to mention the extra effort it takes to bottle feed. AND if you stop nursing your body will still be making milk, which you will have to pump if you aren't nursing, or you will get engorged and be at risk for mastitis.

So go to bed and nurse that baby! Feel better.

Sounds like you've gotten lots of good advice about breastfeeding, but be sure to take care of yourself, too! Drink lots of fluids and get as much rest as you can! It's so hard to be the mom when you're sick! Hang in there!!!

This happened to us last winter! Our doctor said to continue to breastfeed our son since 1) he needs to eat & 2) it has antibodies that will help him. He never did get the flu even though he was i the same room with me all day

From what I know you should still nurse because the babies will get he antibodies it needs to keep/fight off illness.

Like everyone said DO IT, it's most likely why she isn't sick yet and could keep her that way. Feel better soon (and make sure you up your fluid intake more than normal if you aren't feeling well).

Please do. It will keep her from getting the same strain of whatever virus you have as she will get your antibodies. Wash hands well before her feeding. Also, if you do not breastfeed during this time, your milk supply will dcrease and you will never get it back fully. Also note that if you have a fever, you may not produce enough for her and may HAVE to supplement with frozen milk or formula AFTER her feeding. Please breastfeed though, or you will be back in a week asking how to increase your milk supply. Good Luck. Hope you feel better soon.

Do it! The antibodies she's getting form your milk will help her. If she gets teh flu, it's going to be from being around everyone that's sick, not from you breastfeeding her.

ABSOLUTELY do it!!! I got so sick when my 1st child was 6 months old that I, in a 24 hour period, quit producing! She was the only one not to get sick and the doctors (mine and hers both) agreed it was because I nursed her in the very beginning- giving her the immunities she needed. If she had gotten sick she would have had to have been put in the NICU (I had to be hospitalized) so keep on and give her what she needs. If you feel self conscious just cover your nose and mouth with either a mask or handkerchief/bandanna.

keep doing it. Practice good hand washing practices.

I see it has already been sufficiently answered, but wanted to add my emphatic KEEP BREASTFEEDING to the consensus! My husband and I both got a terrible stomach flu a while back, and I was literally breastfeeding and diaper changing between being hung over the toilet for 2 days. My daughter did not get sick at all! For most illnesses (colds, flu, etc.) it is perfectly acceptable and even preferable to continue breastfeeding. Baby gets the antibodies that your body is creating and can get more protection that way than if you switched to formula.

I'm so happy that everyone answered your question the same. I am sick in bed right now with a stomach bug and am nursing my 2mo old still. Relieved to hear my instincts were correct! Hope you feel better soon and have someone to help you. (I owe my mom big time!!)