Storing breast milk..?

Question

My dad mentioned tonight that I should pump and store breast milk just incase I get sick. I see where he is coming from but can my son get sick if I am breastfeeding while sick?

Im not stupid, just asking to get some insight. It is hard to pump when I am a stay at home mom and I am feeding him every 2 1/2-3 hours.

Positive answers only please!

Answer 1

It is actually better to nurse when you are sick... you body automatically knows how to make the antibodies to whatever bug you might catch. So while you may think of keeping the baby away from you if you catch the flu... it's actually safer for him to keep nursing from you. Your dad can babysit him in the living room while you sleep in the bedroom... bringing your son to you to feed every 2-3 hours and let you sleep the rest of the time.

I personally liked the idea of having a freezer stash... you just never know what might happen, you may run out to a quick hair appointment and get stuck in a traffic jam (or something crazy like that).

So storing breastmilk... a good idea to have a little, but don't fret over it. Most likely you may just need a little "me time" one day and use it to go to the mall by yourself, or a date night.

Answer 2

It's true that breastfeeding your baby while you are sick is the best way to keep him from getting sick - the transfer of antibodies will assure that. But if you end up having to take antibiotics - you may have to stop breastfeeding so that your baby doesn't get exposed to the medicine. It really depends on how often you take anti-biotics - I rarely take them - maybe 3 times in 10 years, so I never worried about that when I was nursing.

One thing you might want to think about is that you will, at some point, need to take some time for yourself - and if you have some breast milk stored then you don't have to worry about what your baby will drink while you are out. I started pumping when my daughter was about 2 months old - it wasn't easy, especially at first. I would only get an ounce, if I was lucky. But I kept at it and was really happy that I did. It allowed me to get out of the house for that very important "me" time - and it helped bump up my milk production so that when she went through her growth spurts and wanted extra milk - I was able to provide it without a problem.

When I started pumping I would feed her, then an hour after she was done I would pump for 10-15 min. - but only when I had the energy and never during the night - sleep is too important! Within a week or so I noticed a real difference in the quantity I was able to pump. If you decide to pump - then spend the extra money for a double sided electric pump. That way you can do both breasts at one time and really cut down your pump time. Pumping is great for the flexibility it allows you but it gets to be super boring after awhile. And feel free to give your hubby a little smack if he ever makes mooing noises at you while you are doing it!

Good luck - you sound like you are doing a great job, mom!

Answer 3

The first thing you need to do is find a lactation consultant, La Leche League member, or fellow breastfeeding mom for support. Storage of breastmilk might be the first question you have about nursing, but you're bound to have more questions and if you don't find a good source of help now... it will be very difficult. The baby really should nurse right away after birth... make sure her OB knows that is her goal and don't keep that baby away from the mother for more than 20 minutes unless there is some emergency reason... they can take the baby back after he nurses if they want to do some more cleanup. To answer your question: breastmilk once pumped can be stored at room temp for 4-6 hours, in the frig for 5-7 days, and in the freezer for 2-3 months. If you take breast milk out of the frig or freezer and heat it , you need to use it... don't cool it off again. Good luck and let me know if you have more questions!

Answer 4

Your son won't get sick from your breast milk. In fact, breast milk contains antibodies and breast milk when you're sick can actually help prevent him from catching whatever you have. However, if you're very ill, you may not feel like nursing, or if you're taking certain prescription medications you may not be able to.

I stored breast milk when my son was first born. He was in NICU so I couldnt feed him. Then I stored some more for "just in case". It expired before I ever had a need to use it, but it came in handy for mixing with cereal when he started solids.

If you want to pump, try pumping on one side while he nurses on the other. Hopefully, you will never need the milk, but it can't hurt to have an emergency cache.

Answer 5

You should be fine if you get sick, there are only a few antibiotics that could harm your baby, they might reduce your milk supply, though. I always tried to have a few bags in the freezer, for times when I'm going away for a few hours, or if I want my husband to feed the baby during the night once!! It's hard to pump, it's time consuming, and you are probably producing just enough to keep your baby satisfied. If you really want to get a small supply, I would suggest pumping for a few minutes on each side after each nursing. It will cause your milk supply to increase after a few times, do that for a few days or a week, and you'll be set for a while. I would put my bags in the freezer inside a tupperware container to keep them as fresh as possible. They are good for 3-6 months in a regular freezer, and up to a year in a deep freezer.

Answer 6

If you can, after the feed, express just for a few minutes and store the expressed milk in the fridge until you have one feed, then freeze, remembering to label and date.
It will keep in the freezer for up to three months. I am assuming if you are still feeding that often then your little one is a newborn. The reason for not storing the milk for longer is that it changes as your child's needs do, so it may not be as good for an older baby.
It is not only there then if you are sick, but also if you want to leave your little one for a short time, and get out on your own/with friends.
It can come in handy, believe me. I did it for all four of my kids.

Answer 7

You most definatley can breastfeed while you you sick. Some "older" thinking would suggest otherwise but don't worry. When you can and you feel like you have some extra left over after he is done eating it is a good idea to pump so you can have a supply built up for when you have a sitter. You'd be suprised how fast it goes even if you are pumping while you gone. Pumping after you feed him will build your internal supply too.

Answer 8

Actually, breastfeeding your baby while you are sick will help protect him from whatever you have. The antibodies your immune system makes against the sickness you have are passed to your baby through your milk so your baby is less likely to get what you have than if you weren't breastfeeding him. The baby will be exposed no matter what if you are caring for him, but the breastmilk will help to protect him.

Answer 9

No...you can not pass a sickness on to your child. Breastmilk is so strong with the goods for your baby that you can nurse your baby in a coma if you had to. Your immune system is strong right now because of the breastmilk. You will not even get sick.

Answer 10

The breastmilk is actually the best thing for him when you are sick, because it carries anti-bodies to whatever virus you have. It will keep him protected from the virus. I got sick 3x when nursing, and my daughter never got sick once.