Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Did having covid impact breastfeeding?

7 replies

PinkPlantCase · 23/07/2021 12:59

I have a 5 week old DS and the thing that worries me the most about us getting covid is the impact it could have on breastfeeding.

I wouldn’t try and isolate from DS and know that the chances of any of us getting very ill are low. I imagine at the very least the night wakings will be harder as they would be with any cold/flu. In the very unlikely event that I’d need to be in hospital would DS be able to come in with me? Maybe if it got to that point BF would be over and he’d have to stay at home with DH.

Anyway I’m keen to know if having covid impacted anyone’s ability to breastfeed, supply etc. Hoping it’ll put my mind at ease anyway.

OP posts:
Glitterazzi · 23/07/2021 15:12

Following! I am breastfeeding my 3 month old and currently isolating with someone who is positive. Small house and spent lots of time together before they had a positive LTF then PCR. No symptoms for any of us so far and it's been 3 days since taking the positive PCR test. I have also got a DC who is 4. Just hoping babies and young DC are less likely to get it / get ill as I can't distance myself at all!

Pissinthepottyplease · 23/07/2021 15:17

My neighbour’s baby had come early as they have spotted growing when Mum caught Covid. Despite having covid they successfully bf.

Twizbe · 23/07/2021 15:23

I caught covid back at the start and was still breastfeeding my 1 year old.

I've also had numerous colds, illnesses, tummy bugs etc while feeding.

They've never impacted my supply. The advice is always to feed through as your immune response is transferred to your baby through the milk. They basically get the virus and the cure at the same time.

It's hard when you're feeling rough, but dad can help by taking baby at all times other than feed times.

I had a horrid tummy bug when DD was 6 months. I was in bed all day and DH brought her to me every 3 hours for a feed.

MRex · 23/07/2021 15:34

I'm confused, do you have covid? Or are you worrying in case you catch it?

It is best to keep breastfeeding the baby if you are able to as you can pass on antibodies on your milk; keep the room ventilated and wear a mask to protect the baby if they don't have any symptoms. If in doubt tons of fluid always helps. As long as the baby and you don't require specialist care and you are able to safely hold your baby, any hospital will not separate you. It's hard to envisage why you'd be in hospital yet not unwell enough you need significant care though. Lots of people might go in for say one night for oxygen; ask for a pump anyway to reduce the chance of mastitis and restart breastfeeding at home. You can keep some breastmilk in the freezer for spare, or your DH would need to get formula just for that one day.

PinkPlantCase · 23/07/2021 17:09

We don’t have covid, but given we’ve only had 1 jab, are in our mid 20s and the current rates it feels like a matter of when we catch it rather than if.

Thanks for the helpful responses!

OP posts:
Camomila · 23/07/2021 21:17

I had (probably) Covid back in March 2020 when people weren't getting tested - I was fairly ill but not enough to be hospitalized, spent 2 weeks in bed.

DS2 was 8 weeks then, and my supply stayed fine. DH would just bring him to me to feed. He did probably catch it (had a little cough) but was fine.

Indigopearl · 23/07/2021 21:32

I breastfed my 12 month old when I had covid. He was absolutely fine. Despite both my DH and I having covid he didn't show any symptoms. I didn't bother distancing from him at all or wearing a mask when feeding him (which I think is the official advice). It also did not affect my milk supply. The main issue was entertaining him when both my DH and I were ill. There was a lot of TV that week.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread