breastfeeding through illness

[Ruth_Baldock]

Just a quick (and probably stupid...) one; I seem to be rather ill (temperature, vomiting, stomach cramps) and I'm not sure if it's okay to nurse my son whilst I am feeling so dodgy. I suspect if he is going to get my virus, it'll happen anyway through close contact but one of the nurses at Kings yesterday told me I couldn't breastfeed him?

Also, he's with a family member today 'till 6 oclock so obviously won't be nursing him in the day, but I can't express either. Am I going to totally lose my milk supply?

Thanks all!

[supergolden88]

I dont see how you can transmit a virus through your breastmilk especially if you express and have someone else feed your baby. But in any case if you are worried about milk supply express when you would do a feed and that way you will keep up milk production

[Ruth_Baldock]

I haven't been able to express for months and months (i have the medela swing, an avent manual pump and have also tried hand expression) so that options out, I'm afraid. He's being fed formula today whilst he's not in my care.

[Gubodge]

You'll be fine breastfeeding him, (Well, you'll feel like rubbish, but he'll be fine.) and I don't know how old he is but if you've been breastfeeding for months and months then your supply will be well enough established to be able to take the odd slow day. Feed him as soon as he gets home and his usual evening/night feeds and he'll be fine on formula for when he's not with you.

I know lots of people who have gone back to work at 4/5/6 months. They manage to swtich fine between formula duing the day on workdays and then full time breastmilk at the weekends.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I have had a vomiting bug two times, with stomach cramps etc and I still breastfed my son, he didn't get ill as I believe my breast milk gave him immunity because as I was fighting the bug, it would have been passed to him. I have been told that even when I am ill, I can still breastfeed unless I take medication that is not safe for baby.

http://www.breastfeedingmums.com/dr_jack_newman_illness_in_the_mother_or_baby.htm

http://www.thinkbaby.co.uk/breast-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-when-you-are-ill/1832.html

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

Hope you get well soon x

[marscapone]

I rang NHS Direct to ask this question some time ago and they assured me it was fine to feed my baby and he didn't get ill at all

Take care

[apenn]

In my experience it takes you longer to recover (and you need to keep yourself super-hydrated), but on the upside you won't have to deal with a sick baby!

-A