Help - breast feeding whilst sick - is it ok?

[Peshatlast]

I have just had a text from the lovely EllieK. She is ill, has thrown up in sainsburys, has V & D She has a nearly 5 month old baby who she's breast feeding. Is it ok for her to keep on breast feeding?

I've said I think its fine and may even offer him protection but I dont know that for a fact.

Is it ok?

Any precautions she should take?

TIA

Anyone??

It's fine and will offer protection as I believe her body will produce antibodies for it which will be in milk or bacteria or something along those lones.

Yes, you gave exactly the right advice. She needs to concentrate on keeping water down, though -- ice cubes, little sip of water every 5 minutes, whatever it takes. Dehydration is the big risk.

Precautions (to prevent someone else getting it): Don't share saliva, wash hands like mad, anything with puke on it gets treated like toxic waste and washed at 60. Adults are usually best off by starving the bug out for a day or 2.

Yes, if she can manage it. I did through 2 bouts of vomitting and babe was fine. During the first bout I had nothing to eat or drink for 4 days I felt so shite, yet the milk kept coming.

It was difficult lying down for long enough to feed (DD was a slow feeder) as I kept wanting to throw up, and she got distressed at times from me unlatching and dashing off, but apart from that there were no problems.

oh joy. starving it out will be such fun what with birthday/baptism party on sunday

was feeling better a bit but feeling sick again

Hello ellie

Fingers crossed its gone by then.

At least if you still bfing him you can do that lying down not doing anything and dont have the faff of making up bottles to worry about

hi ellie
so sorry to hear you're ill Hope it's over quickly xx

sorry to contradict but current best evidence re D&V is to try to eat and drink normally not to starve as then you will get some nutrients on board. High fat foods are recommended even if you don't keep them down for long

That's also what our Dr says, Andiem. There's no value in starving yourself if you feel like eating, it makes no difference to the course of the illness. Same for medication like immodium. It used to be thought that stopping the 'trots' meant you were harbouring the disease for longer but again, it makes no difference to the length of illness.

Hope you feel better soon, EllieK. I had D&V when dd was three wks old - horrid.

feeling much better today, and been eating as normal, was hungry

glad you're feeling better