HELP! Sicknesss and diarrhoea (me) - should I breastfeed today?

[Catz]

I'd be really grateful if anyone has any quick advice.

I've got a 3 month old DD who has been exclusively BF. I've been pretty horribly ill with sickness and diarrhoea (sorry if TMI) all night. Not sure if it is food poisoning or a bug I've picked up. When she woke up this morning I'd just got to sleep so DH broke into our emergency carton of SMA to give me some rest. She took a whole bottle with no probs (thankfully - she's only ever had one bottle of EBM and no formula before). I've now missed two feeds and have managed to pump a little off to relieve it (but I don't get on too well with the pump so have only managed about 20ml of each side)

Do you think I should BF today? I'm really worried about DD catching it as it's the worst I've ever had. Even if she can't get it from the milk I don't want to breathe all over her. Also I'm worried about getting dehydrated - I passed out for a few moments when I tried to get up earlier. I can't pump enough milk for her but I'm worried about engorgement/supply if I don't BF for a day.

Many thanks for any replies (I've left a message with my health visitor but no reply yet)

[tiktok]

Catz, it's essential you bf her, so she can be protected (with the antibodies) from whatever bug you have....it's the safest way to feed her if there is any chance she could have the same bug from whatever source.

Please don't worry about dehydration affecting the milk - breastfeeding is a lot more robust than this

[bluejelly]

You poor thing!

I would just carry on feeding her, obviously taking care to wash your hands first and not breathing over her too much.

Are you taking dioralyte>? Will stop you getting dehydrated

[Catz]

Many thanks for the replies. She seems absolutely fine but I suppose it could have an incubation period.

Tiktok - I'm worried about the BF making me dehydrated - I think my body wants to prioritise her and isn't thinking enough about me! Maybe that sounds selfish but having a mum who has passed out isn't great for her either!

[tiktok]

Catz - of course you need to feel hydrated I thought you were concerned about its effect on the milk, sorry.

[Catz]

Sorry for the confusion tiktok and many thanks for the advice - I've fed her now. Relieved that she still seemed keen after taking the bottle so well!

[MirandaG]

www.llli.org/FAQ/sick.html
There is some advice from La Leche league here.
Hope you feel better soon

[belgo]

catz - make sure you keep yourself well hydrated - something to drink beside your bed is vital - I bf whilst being very ill with a tummy bug and I nearly collapsed one morning after bfing.