Food Poisoning & Breast Feeding.

Updated on November 02, 2008
S.H. asks from Irving, TX
5 answers

Ok, I'm a horrible cook. What can I say? I should not be in the kitchen. I food poisoned myself & my two year old. She's over it. I'm not quite, but I'm getting there. Can I still breastfeed my 3month old? Or should I just pump? And for how long?

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So What Happened?

thanks everyone! I didn't BF for the first 8 hours, mostly bc I had to have someone come take care of the babies for me while I got some sleep. I BFd the rest of the time though & everyone is fine!

More Answers

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C.A.

answers from Dallas on

Um, the advice you have received here is excellent!

And this post has cracked me up. I would just like to say the same thing happened to me last week, it got me and my husband and the next day he cheerfully volunteered to cook! I too should not be in the kitchen, thank you, I no longer feel so lonely!!!

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L.S.

answers from Dallas on

Poor you! That's the worst. I hope you get better soon.

I got this off of kellymom (a GREAT resource for you btw). http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html

If mom has food poisoning, breastfeeding should continue. As long as the symptoms are confined to the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps), breastfeeding should continue without interruption as there is no risk to the baby. This is the case with most occurences of food poisoning. If the food poisoning progresses to septicemia, meaning the bacteria has passed into mom's bloodstream (mom would most likely be hospitalized), see this guidance from Dr. Ruth Lawrence:

"Maternal infections of the genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract do not pose a risk to infants except in the rare circumstances when septicemia occurs and bacteria might reach the milk. Even in this event, continued breastfeeding while the mother receives appropriate antibiotic therapy that is compatible with breastfeeding is the safest course for the infant. If the infecting organism is especially virulent or contagious (e.g., an invasive group A streptococcal infection causing severe disease in the mother), breastfeeding should continue after a temporary suspension during the first 24 hours of maternal therapy. Prophylactic or empiric therapy for the infant, against the same organism, may be indicated." [source: Lawrence RM & Lawrence RA. Given the Benefits of Breastfeeding, what Contraindications Exist?
Pediatric Clinics of North America 2001 (February);48(1): 235-51.]

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

I breastfed when I had food poisoning. I had never had it before, but sure enough I did while nursing, and I carried on.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

My son had food poisoning when he was 6 months old and ended up in the hospital. I asked the Dr. how he could have gotten it since I only breastfed him. She said he could have gotten it from me. So I would talk to your ped. to make sure they think it's safe!

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

It shouldn't be a problem. check out www.kellymom.com It is a great breastfeeding site with lots of info. There may be more info. there. Hope you feel better soon!

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