BF when sick??

[joe]

I think I am coming down with the flu :mad: and just wanted to find out if it was ok to BF while I am sick. Also haven't had it yet (touch wood) but am guessing that you can't BF if you have gastro??

[kadownie]

It's totally fine to breastfeed when you are sick- even with gastro- in fact it is a good idea as your body will be making anti-bodies that will help your baby to fight off the infection/sickness- and if they do get sick then it will be a much milder dose. If you decide not to feed while you are sick, though, make sure you express to keep your supply up!! I have been sick several times while breastfeeding- and it's been fine. Just get plenty of rest and drink lots of water!

Oh- of course- there are medications that you can't take- cause they go through to the breast milk- talk to the pharmacist and they will be able to steer you towards the right things.

Hope you are feeling better soon

[veve]

ditto (the anti-bodies) DEFINATELY continue to bfeed..

you protect your bubs...

(I really cant add much ... kadownie has pretty much said it all!!

xx

[lukaelmo]

Hey Joe,

I have also BF whilst sick and it has been fine. I found it really hard though, feeling awful and trying to feed a squiggly baby is not my thing.

Good luck and get well soon.

[joe]

Thanks everyone...can you tell I am a bit of a "what if" fan - though I figure it's better to be safe than sorry.
I was so worried about passing it on to the little fella seeing DP was kind enough to pass it onto me that I didn't even think about the antibodies.

[Tea Lady]

If you're sick your bub will have been exposed to the virus (either from you or your husband in this case) so it would be really doing him a favour to give him some antibodies too. I just had a revolting tummy bug and kept bf through it (fun!) and DD didn't catch it :smiliedance: It helped me to have DH look after her most of the time so I had the energy to feed. Hope you feel better soon.

BTW paracetamol is ok while bf - not that it does much :rolleyes:

[angelickaren]

hi i have just had the dreaded gastro virus:barf: i was amitted to hospital for it was on a drip for 24 hours i could not breast feed for about 12 hours due to ever time she latch on i would though up but i express my milk which i have to say did not make me sick sick so she was still getting my milk the drs said no bf yorus bubs because it will protec her from the bugs i hope you feel better i hope you don t get it my bubs is only 2 weeks old so i still feel unwell due to now i have mastius nyway i hope you dont get sick

[joe]

Well just thought I would update. I did end up with the flu on Wednesday night but kept on BF. DS got sick on Friday night but seems to be almost over it now...go the antibodies!!:)

[RuthK]

I BF a 2 month old after getting bitten by a white tailed spider, and had to go through IV antibiotics and daily wound dressings. I felt rotten but my baby seemed to be fine and the BF wasn't affected. I, on the other hand, have a dreadful fear of spiders now.

[aardvark]

Just keep on boobin'.

You make antibodies to whatever you have, and your DD or DS will get them in the milk.

That said, if you have gastro, be scrupulous with hand washing and nail scrubbing.

I have bf'd babies while I have had gastro and the flu, and baby has not caught it from me.