Would you nurse your baby if you had the flu?

AfterAll · February 2010

What if you washed your hands before and made a conscious effort not to breathe on him while nursing and you handed him back over to DH immediately when you are done for burping/changing/all other activities.

Mj2lyons4 · February 2010

Yes, and I did. I had H1N1 when my son was 1 month old and was told he would get my antibodies that my body was producing to fight it off through my milk. Both my doctor and his pedi reccomended I keep nursing, I just used a lot of hand sanatizer. He never got sick at all. HTH.

MrsBeckO · February 2010

Kellymom advises that you DO continue nursing when you are sick because the baby will get passive immunities from you.

ETA: Read about it here:

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

ladyalmalthea · February 2010

Yes, because the immunities my body was making to fight off the flu would pass on through the breastmilk.

smilelari · February 2010

ladyalmalthea:
Yes, because the immunities my body was making to fight off the flu would pass on through the breastmilk.

this

userdeleted · February 2010

Yes of course - that way he'd get my antibodies. Also, it's just not practical to think that I could totally stop holding/caring for the baby while sick, so not nursing probably wouldn't help me avoid passing it along.

fairychick77 · February 2010

Yes do keep BF while you are sick. LO will get the antibodies that your body is producing to fight off the flu. Hope you feel better!

ktallman · February 2010

Agree with above posts. Best thing you can do while sick is continue breastfeeding and wash your hands up to elbows frequently.

Your breastmilk transfers the virus to the baby before YOU even feel sick. That way, antibodies protect LO and the immune system strengthens.

deltagirl79 · February 2010

ladyalmalthea:
Yes, because the immunities my body was making to fight off the flu would pass on through the breastmilk.

This.

CowboysWife04 · February 2010

Yes! As pp have said, baby will get the immunities your body makes. Proof: last week DH, me, and DD1 all had the flu. I kept nursing DD2 and she never got sick. Just make sure to keep drinking though. I got so dehydrated that I ended up in thr hospital to get fluids. Since you're nursing, you're more prone to dehydration. Hope you feel better soon!!

mattandbekah · February 2010

yep! I was actually sick when I gave birth, and I was worried about him getting it too. The nurses all advised me to nurse so he would get my antibodies, and sure enough...he didnt get sick!

Want a personalized experience?

Would you nurse your baby if you had the flu?

Re: Would you nurse your baby if you had the flu?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards