How can I keep the baby from catching it?

Question

I've come down with something; I don't know what it is but I have bodyaches and fever...anyway, I have a 4-month-old daughter and I breastfeed...I'm hardly ever away from her...is there any way I can keep her from catching whatever it is I have? Thx. :-)

Answer 1

This is an example of one of the BEST reasons for breastfeeding. When you are breastfeeding you are supporting your daughters immune system, and you also pass onto her the antibodies your body is making to her via your breastmilk. This will prevent her from getting the illness or greatly reducing the impact it will have on her. So do not worry...kiss her, cuddle her, and breastfeed her. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful?

Whatever you do, do not as some have suggested, give her formula...no antibodies and hard on her system :(

Please make sure you are drinking lots and lots of water, you want to make sure you are not dehydrating.
Feel better soon.

Answer 2

When I was nursing my daughter I got something like you have. I just wore one of those mask things over my nose and mouth when I nursed her, and washed my hands often. She never caught it. Plus the breast milk you are producing will have the antibodies to whatever virus you have, so that will offer her some protection. If possible have someone else change her, bathe her, cuddle her, etc. until you are feeling better, that way you are limiting contact to feeding time.

Answer 3

You poor thing. I had a similar illness when my baby was about the same age and it's just crappy, isn't it?

I had called my pediatrician with the same concerns and she told me that babies that young are actually unlikely to get many of the "adult" viruses that we get. She said to take normal precautions like handwashing but to continue breastfeeding. My son never got sick, thank goodness.

So I'll cross my fingers for you that you recover soon and that you have an illness that babies aren't susceptible to. Try to get some rest and this illness will be over before you know it.

Answer 4

Have the father or even your mom help watch the baby while you are sick. If they are unable to make sure you wash your hands all the time, after you sneeze or blow your nose, just wash your hands before touching her. Also make sure you bathe her every day to help wash away any germs. Make sure you have infants tylenol on hand at the first sign of her getting sick.

Answer 5

She'spretty likely to get it, but breast milk does have a lot of anti-bodies in it that keep their immunity up. She'd probably be more likely to get it if you were bottle feeding. Because she's so little, you can't really do much to prevent it. Just be super cautious about hygiene I guess.

Answer 6

try to avoid kisses, and stuff like that. Your milk is warm which should kill out the bacteria. So the main thing is to just let her play in the swing or on a blanket and try not to breath directly in her face. I know that is so hard!

Answer 7

well go to a doctor first but as you breast feed her wear something around your mouth and nose try not to kiss her if u must kiss her far head dont let anyone else touch her good luck

Answer 8

Get some formula and have someone else feed her for a few days. go to the dr.

Answer 9

Find out what it is first, but don't worry too much. She needs exposure to bacteria and viruses to start building up her own immunity.

Answer 10

YES. LET HER DADDY TAKLE CARE OF HER FOR A WHILE OR TRY TO COVER YOUR SELF UP FROM GETTIN ANY BAD GERMS ONTO HER