Breastfeeding and food poisoning

[mamadeux]

Up all night on Sunday with sickness and d. Phoned ns 24 and was advised to pump and dump. Took Pepto Bismal on Monday twice. Fed baby formula but did not express as I didn't have the energy. Expressed today and didn't get much milk. When can I breastfeed again? I feel better now and haven't taken p. B. since Monday?

You don't need to stop breastfeeding at all! Why on earth did they say to dump your lovely breastmilk?

You can start now - there was no actual need to stop. Breastfeeding will increase milk supply back to normal faster than expressing. Glad you feel better.

Message withdrawn

I meant to add that your baby CANNOT 'catch' food poisoning from your breastmilk - or indeed, a virus that causes vomiting. In fact, if you have the latter (there are lots of vomiting bugs around atm by the way) then your breastmilk contains antibodies that may prevent your baby catching it too.
Honestly, so-called health professionals know nothing about breastfeeding! Makes me
Breastfeed as much as possible now to get your supply up again.

I can't believe I was given the wrong advice and needlessly feeding her formula! Where did you get your info from?

I'm a journalist and I do write about this sort of thing from time to time. If you are ever in doubt about breastfeeding I recommend Mumsnet (of course!) and also www.kellymom.com - a totally brilliant US site all about breastfeeding. Far more informed and up to date than almost any health professional in the UK, sadly.

arghhhhhh! how can nhs direct be so completely ill-informed!

glad you're feeing better...

Thankyou thecattleareALOHing, I'll check out the website.

Glad you are feeling better anyway!

Please post on here for help before you consider stopping breastfeeding for this sort of "reason". Medical professionals are always claiming you need to stop breastfeeding, and they're almost never right.

I will certainly be asking for advice here first in future!