breastfeeding when you have a cold?

Question

i'm being induced this monday, and i'm going to breastfeed. but i have a bad cold. can breastfeeding transfer what i have to the baby? or will it help her from catching it? i've heard a few different things on this.

Answer 1

The ABSOLUTE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILD IS BREASTFEED!!!

IF YOUR BABY IS GOING TO CATCH YOUR COLD, IT WILL CATCH IT WEATHER YOU BREASTFEED OR FORMULA FEED. However breastfed babies tend to not get as sick or stay sick for as long as formula fed babies due to the fact that while you might pass on germs that cause said cold, you also pass on antiboties to help your little one defend that very same cold!! Custom cold medicine if you will!

FACTS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING:

Breast milk: contains unique and powerful immune building properties that can enhance brain development, contains (80 percent of cells) macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses, contains endorphins (chemicals that suppress pain), provides baby with an unequaled immunity against viruses and bacteria, always has the right proportions of fat, carbohydrates, enzymes and protein as well as numerous other components, is a living substance, is individually tailored for each woman’s own baby, changes constantly - both during a feed and day by day - to meet her baby's evolving needs, contains antibodies produced when a mother is exposed to pathogens in the environment, the mother's antibodies are then passed on to her baby via her breast milk.

Breastfed babies: have higher I.Q. scores, produce more antibodies in response to immunizations, are 10 times less likely to be admitted to the hospital during the first year, have up to 50% fewer ear infections than bottle fed babies, are one-third less likely to die of SIDS,


Breastfed babies have a much lower incidence of: colic, gas, spitting up, wheezing, prolonged colds, diarrhea, vomiting, pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, German measles, childhood cancers, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, diabetes, asthma, cardiopulmonary disturbances, diaper rashes, stomach infections, cavities, asthma, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, food allergies & eczema Also, women who were breastfed as infants, even if only for a short time, showed an approximate 25% lower risk of developing pre-menopausal or postmenopausal breast cancer, compared to women who were bottle-fed as an infant.

If you have any breastfeeding questions feel free to email me (click my avatar then click email Noggin Mama)

Congrats on your baby girl--love the name Kylie May, very classy!!

Answer 2

I had the worst case of strep throat I'd ever had while I was still breastfeeding. My daughter was about 4 months old at the time. Breastfeeding while you are sick is fine. It's harder for you, particularly since you will just be starting and be dealing with adjusting to having a newborn and learning to breastfeed. But you can do it. Good luck!

Answer 3

You should continue breastfeeding when you have a cold, or even the flu. You will pass the antibodies your body makes against the illness through your breastmilk and to your baby, who will benefit from the added immunities. I'm not sure it's a wise idea for your doctor to induce you if you're ill, however. They may need to postpone your induction until the cold has passed. Good luck!

Answer 4

I was sick with a cold for almost 3 weeks - my 2 month old son didn't get sick. I am solely breastfeeding, and have been told (by pediatricians, other mothers, etc.) that my breastfeeding actually prevents him from getting sick. When you are sick you are producing more antibodies - those extra antibodies get passed through the breastmilk, thus keeping your baby healthier.

Answer 5

Breastfeed your newborn. It will protect your newborn from getting your cold. Your body is actively building antibodies to fight off the cold and those same antibodies will pass through your milk to help protect your newborn. Your newborn will be less likely to catch the cold if you breastfeed than if you were not breastfeeding.

Answer 6

Oh definitely breast feed while you are sick. You produce specific antibodies exactly for the cold that you have. Your baby will most likely catch some of what you have anyway. The best thing to do is give baby the "cure" for that illness.
Good luck!

Answer 7

What'll transfer are the antibodies your body will be making to fight of the cold, so it will be super milk, and actually help prevent your baby from catching your cold. I am still breasfeeding my 15 month old baby girl, somewhat, and she has only been sick once.

Answer 8

You should definately breastfeed. Breastfeeding will give your baby antibodies to whatever it is that you have. This will help keep baby healthy.

Answer 9

i have often worried about the same thing to myself. i have been breastfeeding for 9 months now. even though u are sick it wont go threw ur breast milk to the baby now if u are taking stuff for it that will go throw the milk and effect the baby. the first milk is actually the best for him or her because its got all the vitamins that ur little one needs to build anti bodies.

Answer 10

good for you, i suppose.. i would letting little amounts out in the shower or with a pump until your no longer in pain and its a bit more bearable. Take some Tylenol to help with some of the pain too.