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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Two questions about bfeeding with a cold

3 replies

coffeeaddict · 10/01/2012 23:16

I am bfeeding with a streaming cold (urk) and have two questions for anyone with any knowledge.

  1. Do I pass on cold germs as well as antibodies in breast milk? Do they cancel each other out? Do bfed babies catch colds from their mothers?
  1. Might my milk supply have gone down? (Feels like it has. Felt tired and achy today, also had a bit of a fever.) Will it come back?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Jenny70 · 10/01/2012 23:31

You probably will pass germs to your child, not through milk but through conventional channels (sneeze, germs on hands, surfaces etc).

Your breastmilk will provide your baby with antibodies to said germs (assuming your body is fighting it off and you have no immune conditions).

Breastmillk will be the ideal food for your baby if they do get this cold, but hopefully the "priming" of their immune system from your antibodies will help them fight it off before it gets bad. But if they do get it, breastmilk is easy to digest and ideally suited to their needs. Feeding baby with a cold (and snuffly nose) is hard, they can't breathe and suck, so pull off etc. Try the saline spray for their nose, and the sucker thing to help clear out the gunk. Hve it on hand, it lasts for ages and useful when snuffles kick in at 3am.

Your supply may well of gone down if you're run down. Keep your fluids up, rest as much as you can and eat well. Feed baby as often as you can to build supply, if they are coming down with your cold, having extra time at the boob can be required anyway!

Remember breastfeeding is like a magic pudding, the more baby drinks, the more breasts make - so if you feel your supply is low, feeding baby more is the answer. If you used stored milk (or artificial milk) then production will go down even more, as breasts don't think baby needs the millk you did make.

It's horrible being sick as a mum with a baby, but try to do the absolute minimum, knock it on the head and then deal with the washing, shopping etc. when you're feeling better. Once you get tired it's hard to get your energy levels back.

coffeeaddict · 11/01/2012 16:07

Thank you! V good advice, especially the sucker thing...

OP posts:
hazchem · 11/01/2012 18:12

I have found the following cycle happens in our house.
DH gets cold and is snuffly then pass it to DS who get's very snuffly (sometimes requiring me to feed him in the bathroom with shower runnning at 3am) then when I am tired and at the house is already starting to get a bit messy and yucky i get a cold!!!
Lots of water and steamy bathrooms help as does paracetamol and ibuprofen. I can't wait to be allowed to have proper cold and flu tablets again!

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