My wife has come down with a cold and is wondering if it is safe for her to breastfeed our new son. Does anybody have any ideas.
2007-02-28 17:38:58 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Yes. In fact, when you breastfeed while ill, you are passing on your anti bodies to your infant. Usually when families are ill, the breastfed baby stays well. This was all according to my lactation consultant.
2007-02-28 17:42:39 · answer #1 · answered by Peanut Butter 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ABSOLUTELY she should breastfeed your son, it will PROTECT him.
We had a very bad virus run the course of our household. My 2 yr old daughter had to go to the ER for dehydration, and I almost had to take my 10 yr old step-daughter for the same reason. My husband spent hours in the bathroom loudly retching his guts out in misery. I was also sick, with disgusting things coming out of both ends of me. Yet my son, who was exclusively breastfed at the time (3 months old) was THE ONLY ONE IN THE HOUSE WHO DID NOT GET SICK. That's right, while everyone was completely miserable, this tiny child just watched us and went on his way happily nursing while I vomitted. I firmly believe that breastfeeding is the ONLY thing that saved him. If he had gotten this virus, I believe he would have been hospitalized at his very young age. But when a breastfeeding mother becomes ill, her body makes the antibodies to fight the illness and then when she breastfeeds the child, she passes those antibodies on to the baby. Thank GOD for breastfeeding; I can't imagine what I would have done if I had been formula-feeding my baby! So let her feed that baby, and congratulations for providing the absolute best possible nourishment for your child !! It is difficult to care for them while sick, so help your wife out as much as possible. Good luck and I hope she feels better soon!
Oh, and the LAST thing she needs when she already has a cold is to get mastitis from not feeding the baby -- that would be pure misery!
2007-03-01 03:08:21 · answer #2 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course you can, it's actually better for the baby because if the child contracts the illness then it will most likely be shorter and quite less severe. Breastmilk is always best no matter what. Especially in the instance of a cold that she comes in contact with.
2007-02-28 17:43:04 · answer #3 · answered by r_e_bronson 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes breastfeeding is ok while you have a cold. I actually recommend it. As your body fights a cold it has to build antibodies. These antibodies endup in breastmilk thus getting passed to your baby. Your baby getting these antibodies actually helps prevent her from getting that cold. It won't stop it completely but it will reduce the chances and the severity should the baby catch it.
2007-02-28 20:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Colds are not transferred through breast milk. Use normal hygiene, ie., washing hands frequently, cough into your elbow, do not kiss baby on the mouth, etc. Now, that's not to say your baby won't get a cold, but if that does happen, it's from air borne viruses, not your wife's breast milk.
P.S. To insure you've removed as much dirt and germs as possible from your hands, experts recommend a 20 second handwashing. For those that don't want to watch the clock, sing the "Happy Birthday To You" song, twice.
2007-02-28 17:48:40 · answer #5 · answered by Grandma of 10 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
ABSOLUTELY. It'll keep the baby from getting sick. Be proud of your wife for feeding your baby this way! Just tell her not to take any cold medicines. Make sure you help out with the baby so your wife can sleep off this cold.
2007-02-28 17:45:35 · answer #6 · answered by LO! 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes it is...i got a cold when i was brest feeding and had the same question for my doctor...she said no matter what you are going to be around the baby...and the best i could do was to keep on brest feeding to give my baby my anti bodies. it will be okay...chances are you have better odds of not getting the baby sick by brest feeding, then switching to formula....and if he does get sick, he will be fine. just take him to the doctor, and make sure you keep up with the tylenol if he gets a fever...it is stressful i know, but he will be okay..congrats on the baby!
2007-02-28 17:45:24 · answer #7 · answered by kristina43 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YES, U CAN STILL BREASTFEED WHILE HAVING A COLD. BREASTFEEDING IS THE BEST THING FOR A BABY TO HAVE. BUT JUST MAKE SURE YOUR WIFE WASH HER HANDS MORE OFTEN AND IF SHE HAS TO COUGH, COUGH IN YOUR FOREARM. USING A GOOD HAND SANITIZER LIKE ''GERM-X'' IS GOOD. AND USING ''ZIACAM'' IS VERY GOOD FOR THE COMMON COLD.
2007-02-28 17:56:38 · answer #8 · answered by ♥♥♥ H☮TMAMA ♥♥♥ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was always told to keep breastfeeding while I had colds by my doctors. It passes on antibodies that will actually keep the baby from getting sick.
2007-02-28 17:49:25 · answer #9 · answered by Nancy B 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes because breast milk as a lot of antibodies and an illness wont affect it... keep your baby healthy with that breastmilk
2007-02-28 17:43:25 · answer #10 · answered by Steffanie P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋