how does a cold affect your lo's bf?

[smk84]

Hi DS is 9 weeks and has his second cold. He doesn't seem very bunged, no temp, but his feeding is really erratic, and his behaviour at the breast unusual. I understand that he may be feeling really rough - DS and i have had a terrible virus, complete with shivering , sweats etc, but he seems to have escaped that part. Anyway, the problems we are experiencing are... nursing for a shorter time, sometimes not nursing at all, screaming as if he wants to feed, then not opening his mouth to latch on. He had very runny snot yest, and today it seems to have dried up a bit, so perhaps he is bunged high up. We have tried saline spray, steamy room, we haven't tried the nose sucker cos can't see anything to suck out. Have given calpol a few times (he's had this since thu), but this hasn't seemed to help with the feeding or with how he seems. I am about to take him to the doc to get him checked in case he has a problem in ear or something. Has this happened to your LO? I have no experience of colds and BF so not sure what to expect and I am getting really worried about his feeding, my supply and all the crying is really upsetting :( Thank you

p.s. don't think he is dehydrated , nappies syill wet

It's horrible smk84. There isn't a great deal you can do. (so I've been told)

DS is 5 weeks and he was similar; fussing at the breast, opening his mouth to latch on but not actually doing it, red face, lots of crying. For my DS, it was trapped wind. They have no way of getting rid of the snot so it all ends up in their stomach. The thick snot traps all the air bubbles making it difficult for them to burp, causing them pain. I had to wind DS for ages.

I hope your DS feels better soon.

Sorry, just reread my post and there's np actual advice there!

Keep offering the breast and wind him for as long as he will let you.

Just keep offering. You're right that his ears may hurt, frequent short feeds are good to keep him hydrated and his throat soothed if it's sore. He probably feels blimming rotten, so just stick with what you're doing, plenty of milk, plenty of cuddles, plenty of steam.

Prop the end of his cot/mattress up (if he sleeps in one), and try to feed as upright as you can. Hopefully he'll not get as bad a hit as you as he'll have been getting your custom-made antibodies!

thank you, good to know this is normal.