Breastfeeding while you or your baby are sick

Breastfeeding your sick infant

When your baby is sick, they may be cranky, irritable, and or even unwilling to feed. However, breastfeeding is important during illness because it provides hydration, nutrition, and immune-supporting antibodies to fight off an infection and support healing and recovery.

Strategies to encourage breastfeeding:

When babies are sick, they often feel uncomfortable, which can decrease their appetite and interest in nursing. Consider these strategies to encourage breastfeeding:

• If your baby is congested, use a saline spray to clear their nose before feeding. Steam from a shower can also help relieve sinus congestion.
• Feed your baby smaller amounts more frequently so they are less uncomfortable during feeds. Trying a few dream feeds while they're asleep may also be effective.
• Consider offering a bottle of pumped breast milk to see if they’re more interested in eating. Bottle feeding requires less effort than breastfeeding, so it may be easier for your sick baby to drink from a bottle than from the breast.
• If your baby refuses to nurse, try offering small amounts of breast milk in a syringe. For further guidance and support, contact your local or Summer Health pediatrician or lactation consultant.

Breastfeeding when you're sick

It’s safe to breastfeed your baby when you're sick with common illnesses like a cold, flu, or stomach bug. It’s also safe to breastfeed when you have a fever or mastitis. Breast milk contains antibodies and immunological factors to protect your baby against illness. Therefore, you can continue to breastfeed as usual.

While breastfeeding during illness is safe, it's important to take precautions. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your baby's hands or face to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection. Wear a mask if you're worried about coughs or sneezing. Please consult your local or Summer Health pediatrician for advice on managing other illnesses.

Does illness pass through breast milk?

Common illnesses such as the cold, flu, COVID-19, or gastroenteritis do not typically pass through breast milk. If you are dealing with a less common illness, consult your local or Summer Health pediatrician. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended for certain infectious diseases or during cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation.

Illness and breast milk supply

Mothers also worry about their milk supply during illness, which often causes dips in supply. It’s common for milk supply to dip during illness because of dehydration or disruptions to usual feeding schedules. Certain medications like antihistamines and decongestants can also temporarily lower supply.

Ideally, mothers should prioritize rest, hydration, and frequent pumping if they cannot breastfeed directly. If a mother is taking medication that is not recommended for breastfeeding, she can pump and dump to maintain her milk supply until it's safe to breastfeed again. It's important to note that these decreases in supply are usually short-term and can be replenished once the mother recovers.

Which medications are safe for breastfeeding?

Most medications pass into breast milk in small amounts, but many are considered safe for breastfeeding. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are fine, as are most antibiotics, laxatives, and antihistamines. However, some decongestants can decrease milk supply, and chemotherapy medications are also not considered safe. Always consult your doctor before starting any new medication while breastfeeding.

Tips for breastfeeding during illness

Here are some tips to make breastfeeding while you are sick easier:

• Don't worry too much about your milk supply. Decreases in supply are usually temporary and can be reversed and replenished.
• Explore different ways to stay hydrated, by using: use a straw or try drinking from a different cup. Try beverages like fruit-infused water and decaffeinated iced tea, or increase your intake of water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumbers. Additionally taking small, frequent sips throughout the day may be easier than drinking a few cups of fluid at a time.
• To promote better rest, take a break from using your phone. Constant screen time and blue light, especially before bed, can disrupt sleep patterns.