Feeling Sick and breastfeeding?

Question

Ok, I feel nasty. But im not sure its a cold yet. I often get sinus headaches when I'm down which is not surprising this week the baby has been sooo fussy with colic I dont think I have had 3 hrs sleep together in any one day.
I've heard two reports;
one is that you should never feed the baby whilst sick and with a fever. And that you should pump and dump and giv formula.

The other is that your breastmilk gives anitbodies and that the baby wont catch what you have but if you give formula maybe they will because it stops getting the antibodies.


But when you are sick and you kiss someone...they are probably going to get sick. The whole body fluid transferrance thing.

Anyone who can back up their advice with the fact that their doctor told them or the fact that they are a doc or a med student or something would really help. I dont really need hearsay here. Thanks!

Thank you everyone! You have all been so helpful, each answer was really great!

Answer 1

the breastmilk antibodies thing is true:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html
the lady that runs this website is an IBCLC... an Internaltional Board Certified Lactation Consultant... there is no higher level of education when it comes to breastfeeding.

this is what the world's leading breastfeeding research and education organization says:
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/sick.html

""Some women think that when they are sick, they should not breastfeed. But, most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, or diarrhea, can't be passed through breast milk. In fact, if you are sick, your breast milk will have antibodies in it. These antibodies will help protect your baby from getting the same sickness. "" http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/index.cfm?page=QandA

Answer 2

Yes.

It is a fact that you SHOULD keep nursing because you DO pass antibodies along to the baby.

Chances are, if you are already sick, your baby was already exposed. The reason she hasn't gotten sick yet is that you are still nursing.

Here is the information from the link below. The link contains the footnotes and scientific studies links if you want to read more
:
"The best thing you can do for your baby when you're sick is to continue to breastfeed. When you have a contagious illness such as a cold, flu, or other mild virus, your baby was exposed to the illness before you even knew you were sick. Your milk will not transmit your illness to baby, but it does have antibodies in it that are specific to your illness (plus anything else you or baby have been exposed to) - they'll help prevent baby from getting sick, or if he does get sick, he'll probably not be as sick as you.
Withholding your breastmilk during an illness increases
the possibility that baby will get sick, and deprives baby
of the comfort and superior nutrition of nursing. "

And

"It is very, very rare for a mom to need to stop breastfeeding for any illness. There are only a few very serious illnesses that might require a mom stop breastfeeding for a period of time or permanently. Per Dr. Ruth Lawrence, "HIV and HTLV-1 are the only infectious diseases that are considered absolute contraindications to breastfeeding in developed countries" (Lawrence & Lawrence 2001).

During any "ordinary" illness such as a cold, sore throat, flu, tummy bug, fever, mastitis, etc. you should continue to breastfeed. Just remind your doctor you are nursing so that if medications are needed he can prescribe something that is compatible with breastfeeding. Most medications are safe to take while breastfeeding, and for those that are not recommended there is almost always an alternative medication that is safe. "

Answer 3

Absolutely! Your breastmilk's antibodies will help the baby fight off the illness that the baby has most likely already been exposed to.

I had a nasty, nasty stomach virus when my daughter was about 5 weeks old... it was awful, and landed me in the hospital for dehydration. Poor baby... I'd be nursing her, and have to toss her on the bed, holler for my husband, and RUN to the bathroom or for a vomit bucket! I nursed her right through, and she never got so much as the first runny diaper!

Her pediatrician has always recommended nursing straight through. Pumping and dumping does nothing but waste milk... the antibiotic properties of milk keep it nice and safe. And giving formula can actually cause problems with nursing from nipple confusion to gas and constipation. So keep on nursing, run everything you take (medication) through your doctor (most OTC medications aren't safe for breastfeeding moms.. check with your pharmacist first.)

Answer 4

When you are breastfeeding you are giving your baby all of your immunities. If you have a cold then your body is building up immunities to the germs and when you breastfeed you are passing them on to the baby. Your child will not get sick as often if you breastfeed. I breastfed both of my kids and the doctor told me that they were less likely to catch my cold because I was breastfeeding and that I shouldn't stop.

Answer 5

I have been a nursing Mom for 4 years and I always nursed my babies when I was sick. My Drs., midwives, La Leche League Leaders, and all the research I have done says to keep breastfeeding. My babies NEVER caught my colds. Even the nasty stomach bug I had. Keep on keeping on. I hope you feel better.

Answer 6

Defiantly keep breastfeeding. It does pass the antibodies on so that your baby wont get sick. The germs you have are being exposed to your baby in your house whether you breastfeed or not. The difference is whether you pass on immunity by breastfeeding.