could my breast milk be making my baby sick?

Question

My baby is 8 months old and seems to have some sort of illness every other week.I am still breast feeding her.I thought nursed babys were supposed to be healthier .Someone told me that because I am overstressed my baby is being affected...could this be true,could my stress and fatigue cause my baby to be suseptible to ilness?

Answer 1

Is your baby in daycare? Or exposed to older siblings who are in daycare or school? Baby could be picking up illnesses from these places/people.

Remember that baby is getting antibodies to whatever she and you are exposed to. (And this works best through direct nursing at the breast, not pumping.) If she were not nursing, odds are she would be getting more seriously ill or sick more often.

Try to eat well (keep a dietary journal if you can) and get enough fluids. Rest when your baby naps. Try taking care of yourself better and see if it helps any.

Answer 2

Your stress may be effecting your immune system, which in theory could mean there is slightly less antibodies in your breastmilk HOWEVER formula has NO antibodies. So no matter how bad your immune system is, your breastmilk is still far superior to formula.

I would imagine the problem is that your baby is in daycare, and the stress is from work. Daycares are a big germ factory. Most kids in daycare are sick, and you might find the formula fed babies are sick even more often, or more seriously. But remember it is just statistically that breastfed babies are healthier, each individual baby is different. Your baby is healthier for having been breastfed, that doesn't mean she is healthier than ever other formula fed baby, just that she is healthier compared to what would have happened if she was formula fed.

Answer 3

I know. I'm with you. My baby is breastfed and she still gets sick so often, poor thing! I guess it's just the luck of the draw. No, your breastmilk is not making her sick.

Your being stressed could cause your milk supply to diminish, but if your baby is 8 months old he or she can eat solids already, so that shouldn't be a big deal.

Answer 4

i don't think it would be stress but it might be something else i have heard of mothers having to cut out milk bc their baby is lactose intolerant or having to cut out spicy foods or bread but i think its pretty rare if you drink it could affect your milk or if you are taking any kind of medication prescription or over the counter you should make sure your doctor knows if he is giving you anything that you are breastfeeding
my son got sick some too and i breastfeed till he was 15 months not all sickness is avoidable espeically if you are stressed your body won't be making as much antibodies to share with him/her alos this winter has been a nad winter for sickness i am sure you dodged the bullet with him being sick more than you know your doing good keep it up

Answer 5

Basically what ever you are eating you are feeding your baby. Keep a diary of what you eat and then how your baby is reacting. If your baby seems to be not feeling well or reacting to something see what you ate in the last 24 hours. Your baby may be alergic to something. If there is no pattern talk to your doctor, maybe your missing something in your diet that the baby needs.

Answer 6

yes of course,,what ever u feel or face yr baby will b the same,,if u hve stomach ache yr baby will hve it,if u r stressed yr baby will do..so watch out for yrslf and take care of yr emotions for yr child's sake!! Good luck..Welcome to mummy world!