Flu/virus and ebf

[teacher123]

Hi, was wondering of anyone had any advice. Last night for the first time ever ds1 almost slept through (only woke once for a feed at 3.30) and I was up half the night feeling horrendous, hot, sweaty, headachy, achy and have an upset tummy. (the irony is not lost!) he also had his final set of jabs yesterday, so is a bit grizzly and has a slightly raised temperature. Basically should I continue feeding as normal? Am waiting for the doctor to call me back to ask his advice but wondered if anyone had any advice. Thank you

Yes feed as normal. Your baby's fledgling immune system will know that he has been exposed to a virus, and his saliva will be carrying chemical transmitters which are picked up via your aereola (sp?) telling your body to add extra antibodies to your milk.

Your body will also be automatically sticking flu virus antibodies into the milk too - even though you feel like crap your body has been fighting this virus since your first exposure so your milk will be absolutely chock full of anti flu and feel good stuff.

Be careful about what drugs you take to try and ease the symptoms. Those drugs that mop up runny noses etc. also dry up breast milk, so ensure that if you do take anything the pharmacist knows. I remember when I was bfing the only thing I could take was paracetomol so take some and rest as much as possible.

oops - hit send too soon! Just wanted to add, hope you feel better soon.

Thank you, that's what I thought! Luckily DH was able to come home early and look after us both, have only been taking paracetamol and trying to drink lots... Am going to calpol him at bedtime and hope for the best. He's still feeding as normal and producing lots of nappies of both types so hopefully his grizzlies can be attributed to his immunisations... Can't bloody believe that he slept so brilliantly last night and I was awake anyway! Grrrrrrrr