How common is it for EBF baby to catch a cold

[phantomhairpuller]

Just that really! DS2 is 5wo and has had a cold for 3-4 days now. Everyone is saying how unusual it is as he should be getting antibodies from me etc. and it's got me a bit worried!

EBF babies do still get colds right?!

[Featherbag]

Of course they do! Nothing to worry about, all babies get colds, no matter how they're fed.

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

Yes they do. Lost count of how many colds my DD has had. She's 12.5 months now and we just stopped breastfeeding this week.

Completely and utterly normal

[ghosteditor]

Of course they do!

[phantomhairpuller]

Thank you! That's what I thought but the number of people saying otherwise had me doubting myself

[Soupa]

They do but their immune system is boosted by antibodies in your milk so they are less ill than they would be otherwise.

[blondecat]

Oh yes they do

Please do not let ppl convince you, you are doing something wrong

BF has many benefits but it is not a miracle cure/ panacea some people make it out to be

[Florin]

Very normal. My baby was formula fed and ended up catching less colds and when he did catch them they were less severe than his breastfed friends-he must have a very good immune system!

[neontetra]

Mine got more colds when she was ebf than when I started mix feeding! Loads of colds! Hasn't had one for several months though, and is touch wood very healthy now (still bf at 14 months).

[GoldenGreen]

Yes, I think dd had one at 8 wks and she was ebf. Think she got it from her older brother. It's just about the amount of exposure to the cold virus I would think!

[BotBotticelli]

I ff my DS and he has had far fewer colds than two of my friends' BF babies born in the same month.

I know this is not exactly scientific proof, but in our small sample group of 3, the "BFing prevents colds" thing seems not to have been true!

I think there are many factors at play which dictate how many colds/viruses your LO gets and BF vs FF is just one of them.

[SpooMoo]

The worst "first time" is when they catch a cold (from a creche for example) then pass it onto you! The only thing to worry about is if they stop feeding as they can't breathe through their nose, keep trying and make sure she doesn't get dehydrated. Well done on ebf, it's still early days and it will get easier!

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

I read somewhere once that there are over 400 strains of the common cold, that's why there's no cure and why however many antibodies you pass to your baby through your milk they will still occasionally get one!

[LiegeAndLief]

Dd was ebf and had a cold pretty much continually for the first year of her life.

She also had a big brother at preschool who I think was far more effective at giving her colds than my bm was at fighting them off!

[vix206]

Same as LiegeandLief. My DS was EBF and was practically born with a cold, and continued that way through the first year.

[purpleroses]

DC1 got none whilst EBF. DC2 got loads - caught them all off DC1 of course!

[DeWe]

Well bfing is meant to reduce ear infections. Ds was ebf till 8 months, and bf until he was 3.5yo... and had constant ear infections until he had grommets in at 20 months, and when they fell out continued with the infections.
Dd2 caught chickenpox-and she had it badly, at 6 months, still ebf.

It doesn't stop infections totally. Just on average is better.

[ChasingStaplers]

All my DC have been EBF:
one never gets colds but has eczema;
one always has a funny nose but is strong as an ox in all other ways (temp of 100 degrees plus with chickenpox and still running around playing );
number three is only 5 months but has had at least 2 colds already.

One thing I have noticed though, is that my older two are rarely sick (as in vomiting) or ill in any other way.
My four year old has only ever vomited on 3 occasions, whereas most of her peers have had quite a few stomach bugs etc.*

*disclaimer - no idea if this is EBF related or a fluke!

[ChasingStaplers]

*funny nose?! runny obviously!

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

They do but their immune system is boosted by antibodies in your milk so they are less ill than they would be otherwise.

I can't imagine how my ebf dd2 could possibly have been any snottier, sorry.

Dd1 on the other hand, formula fed, didn't have a cold until just after her first birthday, I kid you not. I think bfing dd2 gave her a cold.

[Soupa]

Nah that is just called being number two... breastmilk and dd1 working on dd2s immune system together:)

[Bumpsadaisie]

Dd didn't have any kind of illness till well past 12 mths.

Poor Ds on the other hand got everything going round at Dds preschool, from day 1.

It's the curse of being a 2nd child!

[GoldenGreen]

Also, whilst ebf dd has caught as many viruses as ff ds, hers have never yet developed into anything worse eg ear or chest infections. She is three and has not yet needed antibiotics, whereas he had several courses by that age. He has eczema and she doesn't. I think bfing must have had some protective effect!

[MiaSparrow]

My EBF DD caught a little cold when she was only two weeks old and I felt like the worst mother in the world I was so guilty. I had to take her to the docs for reassurance - of course she was fine. I did always wonder if it was something to do with me being on anti-bios though for my torn stitches .