Hi out there! I have a quick question for all of you moms that breastfeed. Tessa (my little girl) is 4months old and I am still breastfeeding. I am starting to come down with a cold. Every year around this time I seem to get bronchitis. This is actually a 2 part question. Question one: is it ok to continue to breastfeed while I am sick (it is just a cold right now, but I am starting to get a sore throat). Question 2: does anyone have any suggestions on anything that I could take while I'm breastfeeding to help get over my cold. I'm tired enough as is when I'm healthy, so you can only imagine how I feel now that I'm sick. Please help with some suggestions to get me over this cold quick. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
yes you can breastfeed while you're sick.. I've been sick a few times since my son's been breastfeeding. he sometimes gets it, but often not. He'll have some extra immunities I believe cause you are sick.
Have you ever tried a netty pot? I'm afraid to do it, but my husband tried it and it really worked. I actually had a few people tell me to try it out.
Hope you feel better soon.. it stinks being sick and having to take care of someone else.
I was sick once with food poisoning and was nursing.. it was not so pleasant.
I should mention that I have taken Benadyl while nursing.. I just take one dosage and I buy the one without dyes (it's hard to find, but I found it). I drink LOTS of water so that it doesn't affect my milk supply. I checked with our Dr. and that's what he said as well.. drink lots of water if I take it.
yes you should still BF while you are sick otherwise your milk supply could go down. You also give the baby immunities with your milk to help them if they get sick. Try this website tells you all the medications approved while BF http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html
Hi Kari,
Yes, it is totally safe to breastfeed while you are sick. If you do get a fever you may lose some milk supply, but keep breastfeeding through it all and it will come back. There isn't much you can take for a cold except tylenol. I would suggest drinking chicken broth and getting a lot of extra rest. The cold will have to take its course. I remember getting a sinus infection while nursing and I am sure I had a cold one time or another too. Its hard to tell the difference sometimes, but I breastfed through it all. Its tough, but just keep thinking it will not last forever.. :) Take care!! - Marci
Yes the best thing for your baby is for you to breastfeed. That way if she does catch your cold, then you are passing on the antibodies too and it won't be as bad for her. If she gets it and you're not bf then it will be a lot harder on her.
Just wash your hands often and try not to sneeze on her :) I wish I knew something that would actually help you get over the cold faster... be sure to get LOTS of fluids and as much rest as possible.
Hope you feel better soon!
Karen
Yes, you can bf while you are sick. I have even nursed when I have had the stomach flu. My husband would bring me the baby between trips to the bathroom and then take her again when I was done nursing. Just drink lots of fluids and get lots of rest. Just to warn you any meds that will dry up mucus suck as sudafed will aslo decrease your milk supply.
blessings, Katrina
The antibodies your body makes to combat the cold will be passed on to the baby...
I have a list of approved OTC meds that are safe to take while breast feeding...
Its really too long to type out on here... So if there is a specific med that you are wondering about, just send me a message and I'll look it up on the list. :-)
One day I will have to type it all out and save it on the computer so I can e-mail it easier...
Hope your feeling better soon!
my guy is 12 months I have had
Stomach flu
a cold
the FLU :(
only thing I can say is pump up the water cause if you get dehydrated you dont make milk... the stomach flu was the worse - I had to break out a pumped bag or two....
Drink loads, that will help with milk production and also help you get over the cold. Also eat foods rich in vitamin C, which will also help you get over the cold. All citrus fruits and kiwi fruit, and green vegetables are rich in vit C.
Always breast feed if you're ill unless your doctor tells you not to! It will help baby from getting sick too. Trust me I know. My husband and I soon after we brought our first child home got very ill with a flu or some other virus, something Grandma brought with her unintentionallly. She came to spend the week and came down with this thing on her way back home and we had symptoms and full blown down for the count ill for several days after. Having one parent sick with a newborn at home is bad enough but the 2 of us I don't wish on anyone. Good luck.
Absolutely you can breastfeed! Your daughter gets your antibodies when you breastfeed her, so if she even does get sick she'll have a weakened strain of whatever you have. She may not even get sick at all, because you've been giving her your antibodies all along before you even knew you were sick.
As for helping get rid of the cold, drink lots and lots of fluids. You can take Motrin or Tylenol to help with body aches and pains as well.
Good Morning Kari,
I applaud your committment to continue breastfeeding! What a gift you are giving your child. I have a great CD made by a mom who breastfed successfully 3 children and it's about how she navigated the very things you're asking about. Is that something you'd like to listen to?
Hope you feel better very soon!
Marian
Unless you have a very high fever with an infection, breastfeeding is the best thing to KEEP doing. Just a bit of a cold or bronchitis shouldn't affect anything. Just be careful of OTC drugs that could affect your milk supply. Baby gets all the immunity benefits from the breastmilk. You need to find a way to keep healthy and not get the bronchitis to begin with. You might have an allergy to something in the air this time of year. If your system is fighting with that, your immune system gets compromised. Keeping your immune system in check is imperative. Go to www.ahccenter.com
This is a group of chiropractors/nutritionists who through whole food supplements and a great diet "keep all systems running". Since I have been going there, I have only had one cold that lasted all of 2 days. Good luck!
Yup, you can keep on breastfeeding Tessa. :o) I have a list recieved from a hospital on safe medications during pregnancy, so I thought of them as safe during nursing as well. If you are unsure I'd just give a quick call to your gyno's office.
Tylenol (reg. or ext. strength)in the normal adult dosage, TUMS, Rolaids, Zantac, Robitussin (not sure which one), Sudafed, Benadryl, Imodium, Preparation H and Tucks.
Get well soon!
Hi Kari,
Sorry to hear you have a cold. Yes, it is miserable. Yes,you can still breastfeed while you are sick, even though you may pas the germs, you are also passing antibodies. The germs you will pass through your hands and respiratory secretions, so wash up and cover up your mouth/nose when youare close to her. Many decongestants, like Sudafed, will be passed onto her, and it can slow your milk production, so it is better to stick to nasal sprays that are not systemically absorbed. as much. I hope you feel better soon!
I would call your Doctor's office or your baby's doctor's office to see what OTC meds. they recommend. I know there was a list of OTCs that I could take while breast-feeding which I did for 11 1/2 mos , 14 mos , and 13 mos. so I know there were a few colds and/or allergies in those years of feeding. I hope this helps because it is the best thing you can do for your kids.--Marissa
Yes, you can still breastfeed while you are sick. I did for both my boys.
As for suggestions to soothe your throat, I always have a stock of lemons or limes and make honey tea. Just squeeze half of a lemon, add some honey, and hot water. It soothes my throat a lot!
Hi Kari,
I think it's wonderful that you're breastfeeding your little one. In answer to your question, yes you can continue to breastfeed your baby while you're sick. You were producing antibodies to your cold, even before you knew you were getting it, and passing it on to your daughter. So, if by chance she gets the cold also, she's less likely to get really sick from it. You'll continue to pass the antibodies on to her while you have this cold.
I am a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC, RLC) and can answer your question about medications you can take, if you email me privately and ask me to look up specific meds. I can't tell you to take this or that. Because that would be considered prescribing. You can also call a local LC in your town. To find a local LC go to: www.ilca.org or to find a local La Leche League Leader go to: www.llli.org
I hope you're feeling better soon.
Sue
YES!!! Breastfeed baby whether you are sick or not!!! Breastfeeding will actually HELP baby to either avoid getting what you have or not getting it as severe. By breastfeeding you are giving baby all your antibodies... so it helps build her immune system. Also, IF she does get sick, breastfeeding aids in recovery for baby.
As far as meds... talk with your doctor. I do know that a steam treatment with chamomile is good for helping aid with congestion. Chamomile is a natural antibiotic and helps clear sinus passages and such. Eucalyptus also helps clear congestion.
In addition, eat LOTS of garlic and mushrooms. Mushrooms have the highest level of vitamin C of ANY food source. Garlic is GREAT. It is a natural antibiotic and aids in immune boosting. I was seriously sick a month ago, I wanted it OVER, so I actually ate 2 cloves of garlic RAW! Oiy. Then that night I bundled up myself in layers and layers piled blankets on top of me and sweat it out. Next day was feeling great. That's pretty hardcore and you REEK of garlic... but just making an omlete with lots of garlic will help a well.
Drink lots of fluids.
To help this winter, taking a daily garlic pill will help you stay healthy.
Not sure on question number one. As for question number two, I would think Sudafed would be ok.