sick with flu and nursing lo

kvwerne

Hey! I was sick with the stomach flu and I am still nursing ds. I am sooooo concerned that he is going to get sick as well. I nurse him and then give him to somebody else to hold. I try not to breathe on him when I am nursing him and  I wash my hands constantly. I know that the baby gets the antibodies to the disease through the breastmilk but I am still super worried. Has anybody else had this experience before?? Is there anything else I can do to minimize his chances of getting the flu?? (and anything else to ease my worries?) txs!!

MrsGiviRN

I just made sure to constantly wash my hands and use antibacterial stuff. I would also wear a mask when I was breastfeeding since he was literally "under me" and I had a really bad runny nose. Breastfeeding will definitely help him because you are actively passing on the current antibodies that your body is producing to that specific cold. Good luck and unfortunately you just have to wait for the virus to go away on its own. I only took Tylenol, Robitussin DM, normal saline nasal drops and cool mist humidifier (just like when you were pregnant). Feel better soon!!!

TayLynn

The best thing you can do is keep nursing.  He's been exposed to your germs by now so don't worry too much about holding him.  The breast milk really will help him fight it off.

I had a bad 24 hour stomach bug on a Sunday and my DH had it on Monday.  The only thing that happened to Andrew was that he slept a lot on Sunday and had one big green bowel movement.  He never ran a fever or anything. 

A few weeks ago I had a cold for about 5 days.  DS only had a runny nose for about a day and a half.  I definitely had it much worse than he did. 

wrenr

DD never got sick while I was breastfeeding. I was super worried at first too, but the most she ever got was a bit of a runny nose. I actually read somewhere that when the whole family gets sick a breastfeeding baby rarely does. I'm sure there are exceptions but don't worry too much about it there really isn't much else you can do. Just make sure that if anyone who's sick gets near him that they sneeze on you first, lol.

RNjack

Keep nursing, wash your hands as much as possible, and dont breathe or cough on the baby. The only time you have to stop nursing is if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.

-j

TayLynn

RNjack:

Keep nursing, wash your hands as much as possible, and dont breathe or cough on the baby. The only time you have to stop nursing is if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.

-j

 

You might want to ask your doctor, but I've read that's not true.  I didn't stop breastfeeding when I had the stomach flu. 

 

https://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html 

 

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.

If mom has food poisoning, breastfeeding should continue. As long as the symptoms are confined to the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps), breastfeeding should continue without interruption as there is no risk to the baby. This is the case with most occurences of food poisoning. If the food poisoning progresses to septicemia, meaning the bacteria has passed into mom's bloodstream (mom would most likely be hospitalized), see this guidance from Dr. Ruth Lawrence:

"Maternal infections of the genitourinary or gastrointestinal tract do not pose a risk to infants except in the rare circumstances when septicemia occurs and bacteria might reach the milk. Even in this event, continued breastfeeding while the mother receives appropriate antibiotic therapy that is compatible with breastfeeding is the safest course for the infant. If the infecting organism is especially virulent or contagious (e.g., an invasive group A streptococcal infection causing severe disease in the mother), breastfeeding should continue after a temporary suspension during the first 24 hours of maternal therapy. Prophylactic or empiric therapy for the infant, against the same organism, may be indicated." [source: Lawrence RM & Lawrence RA. Given the Benefits of Breastfeeding, what Contraindications Exist?
Pediatric Clinics of North America 2001 (February);48(1): 235-51.]

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.

TayLynn

stupid nest snafu.  It posted twice and now I can't delete

crysas81

I kept nursing through the flu (I had stomach and regular flu this year...awful!) and my daughter did get sick but it was NOTHING compared to what I had.  She had a slight fever and was a little off...I was in bed for days!  Good luck and keep bf...it's the best thing you can do to help your little one beat this!

kvwerne

thank u everybody for the advice. i am much better now. it was like a 24 hr thing. i continued nursing him throughout. ds doesnt appear to be sick. hes his usual pleasant ane adorable self. hopefully, this is all over and done with. dh is fine as well.

TayLynn

That's good to hear that you're feeling better!

 It's no fun when momma is sick.