Breastmilk with Upset Stomach

From being involved in local breastfeeding support groups, we were always encouraged to nurse our little ones even while we were feeling "under the weather" due to our bodies creating defensive cells that were helpful in protecting them. Even when I was with a cold or not feeling up to it, my little one never suffered the symptoms I had. I still nurse her and she is two and a half! Granted you know your body and your baby better than anyone else. If you notice that your ten week old begins to develop certain symtoms then you need to monitor what you have eaten earlier that day. But remember that the milk produced after you ate your meal may not be as affected as the milk produced after you have nursed and replenished your supply. I hope I explained that ok. So remember if you got sick a few days ago, the food illnesses will not be a worry for your little one.

T.,

I breastfed whether I was well or sick. Your breast milk has special antibodies and nutrients that will help protect your baby. Keep breastfeeding and save that milk!

M.

your breast milk is high in antibodies for the baby, no matter what give the baby your breast milk, I have been ill a few times in the last year while breast feeding and my son has never contracted any illness from me.

http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/f/foodpoisoning.htm

I hope this link helps. When I am in doubt about something I just type the question in my web browser and usually find the answers! Good luck!

A couple of good breastfeeding sites are:

www.kellymom.com
www.breastfeeding.com

T.
Founder
www.theparentpack.org

Your breast milk should be fine. The body is a wonderful thing and will usually filter the harmful stuff out. In fact if you have a viral or bacterial infection, the baby should get the antibodies in your system which will protect him from your illness. I found this web site to be most helpful when I was breast feeding: http://www.breastfeeding.com

If are not sure if it could be food poisoning or not then I would pump. Its better to be safe than sorry. The most important thing is your babies health. you are going to pump try and take some Pepto Bismo or something then after a while pump before you feed him. that is what I would do

Hello T.,
I'm a mother of a 7 month old baby boy. The first three months were horrible, he had colic really bad. After talking with other moms and family members I came to the conclusion that what ever I was eating did have some affect with my sons colic. I also experienced that when I was feeling upset stomach symptoms, he was too. So what I would do is pump out all the milk and wait to use the restroom before feeding him again, not sure if it made much of a difference but it did work a bit or so I felt it did. Also doctors say not to stop nursing that the antibodies will take care of baby and help him develop his own. I still went with my own gut feeling and if I had any doubts, I would just not continue till I felt better. Well good luck with your little one!

No I was told by advice nurse ot keep nursing and keep drinking water.

Never risk it, always take precaution and wait until symptoms go away.

I would not give to my baby, she might get sick too.

Neither should affect your milk. If your "stomach problems" turn out to be a cold you child may catch that from you just with contact. However, remember if your stomach problem involve diarrhea or vomiting, drink lots of water. When we get to dehydrated in can lower our milk supply and your kid may fuss just from frustration. With food poisoning the contaminated food isn't passed thru the milk... So keep all the pumped milk!! You worked to hard to waste it now.

Hi T., I nursed both my kids til they were 15 & 16 months old and I never found an upset stomach to effect my babies. I don't know about food poisoning, I think that may be in the blood stream. You can call your pediatrician, they'll be able to tell you.
When our first child, our daughter was born I called the peditrician for EVERYTHING. I was sure I was going to make those poor nurses crazy, but they actually don't mind. They love to help, that is what they are there for.
Good luck!

When I had the stomach flu when my daughter was 3 months old, my dr. told me to continue breastfeeding and that she would not be affected. Good Luck!

the things I have read and researched say to keep breastfeeding even during illness, your body is good at keeping your milk healthy and in addition puts some of your immunity and antibodies to the illness in your milk to help protect your baby - so keep the pumped milk and keep breastfeeding your little one
feel better

not a problem. your milk is fine. in fact, one of the cool things about breastfeeding is that your milk will give your child some of the immunities that your body is building up by fighting whatever bug you have. s/he is likely to either not get sick or have a milder case as a result.

I totally understand your fear! I had food poisoning while on vacation when my daughter was just about 10 wks old as well. My pediatrician said to not worry about it, as my daughter was probably already been exposed to anything that would have transferred into my milk supply and would benefit from the antibodies my body was by then creating. Call your advice nurse or pediatician if you want a second opinion. Hope you feel better soon!

Keep nursing! You will certainly not pass on the illness, but rather the antibodies will help keep your little one healthy, and maintain your milk supply while you're at it. Be sure to drink as much as you can to help your body deal with producing milk and surviving food poisioning - ugh, you poor thing. Feel better!

The vast majority of responses agree to keep breastfeeding your baby! If in doubt, call your doctor. I was encouraged by my OB to call with any questions and I am sure the Pediatrician would be glad to answer any questions as well.
Hope you feel better soon!

Hi there! This is a great question and very common concern for breast feeding mothers.

Our breast milk is not affected at all by commom viruses, flus, or upset stomaches we may have. Your doctor can give you a list of serious illnesses that can be passed via breast milk (i.e. HIV) but in general you can always breast feed your baby safely even if you have an upset stomach. You may want to ask your advice nurse about possible food poisoning since I know our food translates into our milk. I had to stop drinking cows milk the entire time I was nursing both my kids because it gave them colic.

If you stop breast feeding while you are sick you will stop giving your child the immunities that will keep him/her from getting what you have. I am a mother of 3 and have never gotten my kid sick by breast feeding when sick. In fact, I've breast fed all my children and none of them ever got sick at that age/during breast feeding. When I stopped breast feeding is when they would actually catch things from me. Good luck.

As far as I know you can continue to breastfeed with an upset stomach, but keep yourself hydrated with alot of water. As far as food poisoning I am not sure. If it is food poisoning you suspect you should get checked out ASAP. However, don't throw out your milk until you have spokenb with a doctor.

Think of your boobs as the world's best filters in that regard. Lots of modern meds get through, but not that sort of thing. My kids never got the upset tummy or anything, even when I did!!!

Its my understanding that even when youa re sick yo still want to breast feed or pump. Our bodies are so miraculous that the breast milk doesn't make the baby sick, if anything it gives them good antibodies. Even when you have a fever, a horrible cold, etc. Give your baby your milk!!

as luck would have it i was reading this n asked my huspand your question cause i was courious too... he says an up set stummic no, but food poisoning yes cause he says it enters your blood stream witch is where the milk gets the nutrentsit need...so ty n i hope this help you.. i was lucky i never had food posioning while being pregnet or brestfeeding.. my stephen. your friend, P. E. R.

I was always told it is ok to nurse or pump when you are sick because it gives the baby antibodies...

i had food poisoning when my daughter was about 3 months old and was told it was not a problem. you should have a local la leche leader(s) in your area...or at least close by that you can call also..hope you feel better soon!

My experience has been that certain foods like broccoli gave my babies gas and drinking coffee seemed to irritate them also. It is only natural that what you eat goes into your milk. If I had food poisoning, I'd dump the milk. You can always produce more. Good luck!