can my breast fed baby get a chest infection?

Question

my 6 month old seems to have caught a cold..sneezing and coughing a little........im just scared of him getting a chest infection,couple of his coughs appeared chesty earlier,ive just started him on formula,breast fed for 6 months.......i thought this was to help fight infections......

Answer 1

So you breastfed him exclusively for six months and had a healthy baby during that time. Then you started formula, and he got sick. And you blame the illness on breastfeeding?? I'm not following your logic.

While breastfed babies are healthier overall than formula-fed babies, they are not completely immune to illness. The fact that you started him on formula may have something to do with his present illness. In any case, babies get sick, and there is no way around it. You can only do the best you can (breastfeed with no formula EVER) and hope for the best.

Answer 2

Any baby at any age can get a chest infection. If you JUST started him on formula, it may be an allergic reaction. You should rule this out very quickly.

Breastfeeding does give antibodies to your child while you are nursing, and does better prepare him for infections, but stopping breastfeeding also stops antibodies flow to your child. He will however have some stored up.

I would suggest a cool mist humidifier in his room as he sleeps. Maybe raise the head of his bed a little so he can sleep better.

Answer 3

I'm sure he could still get a chest infection even if he's breastfed. Breast feeding gives your child antibodies, but doesn't guarentee your child wont' get sick....however, don't worry it's probably not what is going to happen.

Put his crib mattress at a slight incline (make sure there are no gaps on the side) so he's/she's not so stuffy and watch the cold...make sure to suck out the nose if it gets clogges...it's proably just the common cold. Of course if symptoms get worse, take your baby in, but it's probably nothing more than a cold.

Answer 4

Your first thick milk helps to fight infection, because the milk has special vitamins and nutrients in it, but it won't last the whole 6 months. Any baby can get a chest infection. Chest has to do with the respiratory aspect, meaning the lungs. If your breastfeeding had anything to do with it, it would be rather odd because that would more than likely have to do with the tummy, being that it is ingested & then digested.

Answer 5

Yes, my daughter caught a bad viral infection at 5 1/2 weeks and she was being breastfed.

Answer 6

Well, the formula is the problem! The longer you breastfeed, the more benefits!

Really though, all babies get sick. Keep nursing him and it will pass quickly. You only have 6 months left before you wouldnt need formula, why stop now?

Oh, and i doubt he will get a 'chest infection'... you mean like RSV? Babies get colds all the time.

Answer 7

all babys can get it no matter what milk they have
dont worry too much, see ur doctor

my kids are 3 and 1 and they're ill every other week. i breast fed both. the 3 yr old until he was nearly two and still feeding the younger one.

its there immune system and vitamins that count.

Answer 8

i breastfeed my now 2 month old since she was born and she had a chest infection all ready...breastmild is good but it isnt a miricle substance...i think you should take him to the doctors to find out whats going on...the doc will be able to look at him and help you with what u can do....

Answer 9

And the answer is...Call your pediatrician and ask. Consider him/her tobe on retainer to answer any question you might have. And, yes, breast fed babies can catch cold.

Answer 10

breast milk is no miracle for all illnesses to your baby.