I have a serious case of tonsilitis. Should I continue to breastfeed my 4 week old baby?

Question

From what I hear, the antibodies that are working to fight it will be past to the baby through my milk and will prevent the baby from getting it. Is there any truth to that?

Answer 1

Absolutely!! When you are sick, it is *vital* to keep nursing. Whatever you have, the baby has already been exposed to (most diseases are most contagious *before* you know you are sick), so she/he needs the antibodies in your milk. Baby *may* still get sick, but often it is less severe than it would have been otherwise.

Answer 2

Sorry to whoever said a lot of nurses will tell you not to breastfeed when sick,but they were wrong. It is very true what you hear, you pass your antibodies to you're baby, also helps them build theyre immune system up faster and yes if you are sick you should keep breastfeeding, you've passed you're sickness to the baby before you even had any symptoms,the antibodies help the baby fight it off.

Answer 3

Yes, it is 100% true. Your antibodies pass through the breastmilk, so your baby rarely actually gets sick with what you have. Why would you stop nursing your baby anyway? It is so much healthier for them. keeps them from getting sick, supports quicker brain and eye development, gives them higher IQs, fewer allergies, less gastrointestinal problems like gas, fussiness, constipation, etc..., is cheaper (by about $250 a month, not including saving on Dr visits because of sickness!)...formula is a poor poor substitute...it's not even real food. hence the term "formula" it's made in a laboratory. Ick.

Answer 4

Keep nursing and get as much rest as possible so you can get better. You are right in thinking that the antibodies will help to protect your baby.

If you need any medication, make sure that the doc looks it up in "Medications & Mother's Milk" by Dr. Hale - NOT in the PDR. You can also call a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader to look up medications for you. (A lot of times docs err on the side of caution and tell moms NOT to nurse when it's OK to nurse.)

Answer 5

Don't stop! Whenever you get on any medication check with a Lactation Consultant or LLL to check the compatibility with breastfeeding. If that certain medication is not compatible another one could be. Lay in bed with your baby and nurse, drink lots of fluids. The good thing about bf your baby while sick is that the baby develops immunity to what you have. Kind of like immunizations, they actually inject the disease so the child can develop immunity..same with breastfeeding

Answer 6

Yes, there is. My husband brought home a cold and gave it to me when our daughter was 1 1/2 weeks old. My mother and mother-in-law were visiting and they got sick too. Our daughter never did.
If you are on any meds for tonsilitis make sure your Dr knows you are breastfeeding. The meds will also pass through the milk and could be harmful to your baby.

Answer 7

if the Dr that put you on the medicine said that it was okay, then go ahead ad do it. I do know that what ever you take will get passed on to the baby through the milk. Good luck and Congratulations on the baby

Answer 8

You should go to the docs for medication, and broach them on the subject of breastfeedin your baby. They should help, and you need some medication, you are feeling run down as it is with a 4 week old baby to look after. Good Luck.

Answer 9

Definitely check with your doctor ASAP first before stopping. Breastfeeding is the best for your baby, especially since he/she is under 6 weeks old.

Answer 10

Definitely continue to breastfeed as long as you are able to! Check with your Dr or Pharmacist on what medications are safe for you to take.