Should You Breastfeed If Feeling Unwell, Sick or In Fever ?
Created by Dr Himani Narula Khanna Updated on Nov 26, 2020
When it comes to deciding whether to breastfeed your baby or not, the answer is clearly in favor of breastfeeding. Experts, multiple studies, researches and even mothers themselves agree to the many benefits of breastfeeding their little one. Breast milk is a complete nutritional food for the baby and boosts immunity, helps in development and growth of the child, and also helps in the mother-and-child bonding.
But when the mother herself falls sick, what then? Should a mother continue to breastfeed despite being ill? In most cases, yes! Read on to find out more about breastfeeding your baby when you fall ill.
Can I Breastfeed My Baby When I'm Sick?
You can, depending on what illness you're down with.
- Most experts agree that common illnesses in mothers cannot pass onto the baby through breast milk
- So, if you have the common cold, cough, or the flu, there is no way the virus will reach your breast milk—breast milk still will remain uncontaminated and safe for the baby
- But the chances of the baby catching the virus, because of the physical proximity to the mother, are high
- In some cases, where you need to take medicines such as antibiotics, need hospitalization, need to undergo multiple tests and other specific conditions, it is advisable to check with your doctor for the pros and cons of breastfeeding when you're ill
When Should A Mother Who Is Sick Avoid Breastfeeding?
While with most common illnesses it is perfectly safe to breastfeed your baby, there are some cases of serious illness where you need to avoid breastfeeding.
How To Protect Your Breastfeeding Baby When You're Sick?
Like mentioned earlier, common cold and most infections do not reach breast milk, therefore leaving it uncontaminated. But yes, because of the continuous physical contact between the mother and child, especially during breastfeeding itself, the baby can catch the infection.
Here are some tips to protect your baby:
Ask for help
Mothering a baby has its own set of challenges and when you are ill, you might feel particularly overwhelmed. Therefore, ask for help and use the available help when you are unwell and have to feed the baby.
As long as you're physically able to, and are not constrained by any of the conditions mentioned, go ahead and breastfeed your baby. Those cuddles and satisfied purrs will help you get well sooner! Happy Parenting!
How did you manage breastfeeding when you fell ill? Do tell us in the comments section below!
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- HIV or HTLV – I/II:If you are suffering from AIDS (caused by HIV), active TB (tuberculosis) or leukemia/lymphoma caused by the HTLV type I or type II
- Some medications and cancer treatments:If you are taking antiretroviral medications, using or is dependent upon an illicit drug, or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapies for cancer
- Other cases:In a few situations, temporary avoidance of breast milk is appropriate for a limited time (24 hours for N gonorrhea, H influenza, Group B streptococci, and staphylococci) and longer for others (including B burgdorferi, T pallidum, and M tuberculosis). As always, it is best to consult a physician in case of any doubt
- Exercise extra hygiene: If you have a cold or a cough, cover your mouth and nose with a mask before breastfeeding the baby. Also, wash your hands thoroughly. It is advisable to keep disposable tissues handy while breastfeeding so that in case you feel a sneeze coming, you can take quick and appropriate action
- Use a breast pump: A comfortable breast pump is a very handy breastfeeding aid in case you are ill. You can express breast milk and store it in a sterilized container. At feed time, you can ask your husband, an elder at home, or a nanny to feed the baby the expressed milk, thereby controlling physical contact with your child till you are cured and feel better
- Find comfortable positions: In case of ailments such as backache, or a fever, sitting for half-an-hour at a stretch feeding the baby might cause fatigue. Therefore, find a position that suits you—whether it entails sitting on the bed, on a chair or feeding while lying (though watch out for ear infections in the little ones as experts do not encourage this position for the same reason)
- Ask a close family member: Mother or mother-in-law - to play a more active role in baby care so that you can catch up on some rest
- Take help from a nanny to watch your baby when you need to eat a nutritious meal and work on your recovery
- Use aids such as breast pumps to express milk, which then allows you to rest while someone else feeds the baby, especially at night
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This content has been checked & validated by Doctors and Experts of the parentune Expert panel. Our panel consists of Neonatologist, Gynecologist, Peadiatrician, Nutritionist, Child Counselor, Education & Learning Expert, Physiotherapist, Learning disability Expert and Developmental Pead.
| Jun 26, 2016
Very useful blog!I can relate to it. What a painful stage it is when it's difficult for a mother to decide and such thoughts keep coming to her mind 'Is she is doing more harm to the baby than good by feeding?' The blog has done away with many misconceptions. Thanks again!
| Sep 23, 2016
@Syeda, as long as you are comfortable in breastfeeding your first born you may continue to do breastfeed. In addition you may tandem feed your first born with your second born or in case you want your firstborn to wean off your milk then you may start doing so from at least 7 months of your pregnancy so that the first born doesn't feel left out.
| Dec 28, 2017
Breastfeeding is very important for the babies between 0-6 months as they are completly on their mother,and if in this case mother gets unwell like cough ,cold or be any disease then it becomes a danger for the child as whatever happens to mother is most likely to happen to the chils as well. so in this case you can prefer cow milk for few days and try to recover as soon as possible. For more information please visit- http://www.parasbliss.com/
| Feb 12, 2018
With regards to choosing whether to breastfeed your infant or not, the appropriate response is plainly for breastfeeding. Specialists, various examinations, looks into and even moms themselves consent to the numerous advantages of breastfeeding their little one. Bosom drain is an entire nourishing sustenance for the infant and lifts in susceptibility, helps being developed and development of the youngster, and furthermore helps in the mother-and-tyke holding. Most specialists concur that regular diseases in moms can't pass onto the child through bosom drain Thus, on the off chance that you have the normal icy, hack, or this season's flu virus, it is highly unlikely the infection will achieve your bosom drain—bosom drain still will stay uncontaminated and ok for the infant. For more information please visit- http://www.parasbliss.com/
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