Flu

[gluttom]

Dd is 8 weeks and had fever since yesterday - seen doctor just viral- she is grizzly - well screams a lot and did not sleep at all last night. She is a big girl 12lbs today . Today I have fever of 39 and feel horrendous - think it js flu - she is fussing on and off the boob not really knowing what she wants. Has the fever stopped my milk - should I give her a bottle of formula as she is so fretful.

Gosh no - she needs your milk more than ever to get the antibodies into her so she can get better, and if the virus is anything gastro then your milk will soothe and protect her stomach, whereas formula can act as an irritant.

She is likely to be fretful if she's unwell, poor thing, and it's tough for you if you're getting ill too :( Do you have someone around who can help with other stuff? Can the pair of you curl up in bed together so you can just feed her and cuddle?

Keep your fluids up as you would normally when ill (without trying to drink more than is comfortable/to thirst) and eat if you're hungry but don't worry if you're not. You can take ibuprofen and paracetamol and so can she (try to stagger the doses a couple of hours apart if you're giving both).

Hope you both feel better soon :(

Exactly what organiccarrotcake said.

I had 'flu at same time as DD and we were both vomiting and having diarrhoea. I breastfed more often, but for less time as being blocked up and ill made her tired and she found it difficult to breathe and suckle.

If she is blocked up try saline drops followed by nasal aspirator before each feed, it will make it easier for her suckle.