Breastfeeding when baby has a cold

[Ami100]

Hi everyone a little bit of breastfeeding help please. My son is 8 months old and breastfed but since Friday he’s had a terrible cold and is very blocked up. Today he’s been biting at the start of feeding so I’ve had to express for him. Any advice? What can I do?

I'm thinking of expressing until his cold is better but I would like him to get my immunity still and for my milk supply not to go down ...

Have you tried saline nasal spray to help clear his nose

Did he take the bottle of expressed milk all right? If he did, I'd carry on with that till he is less blocked. Those turkey baster de-snotters don't do much because most of the congestion in your nose with a cold is caused by the insides of the nostrils being inflamed and swollen, not from snot.

If he is even struggling with a bottle, you could try a sippy cup (don't let him grab it as he'll swig it too fast and cough it back) or dribbling it gently into his mouth from a syringe.

@dementedpixie yes he has that before feeds plus been using the snuffle baby rub and olbas oil for babies ... the room smells lovely

Saline spray is great, I use it just before DD feeds. Also a Calpol plug in at night really helps to and I rub vapour gel on her feet and chest.

DD is on her 3rd cold since DS started preschool in sept

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow yes the bottle was fine so maybe I'll wait before attempting another breastfeed

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow yes the bottle was fine so maybe I'll wait before attempting another breastfeed ..
@Motherofmonsters not looking forward to the winter ahead but as we are not allowed to see people indoors it may not be too bad this year

Lots of sterimar nasal spray, followed by the nasal aspirator (ours is by snugglebabe)- they cry blue murder but it really helps them. Also, have a humidifier running in their room at night and air out the room during the day.

I used to spray breast milk directly up their nose. Takes a bit of practise but is the best thing for clearing their congestion

Snuffle baby on their feet. Never thought I'd be one of those weirdos recommending it but it does seem to work..

Biting bhm not nice I do sympathise, presume this is due to nose and not on purpose 'fun' . If you think it's intentionAl its ine to be firm say no and take off boob. Trying again and repeating message. Might be too young I forget what happens when.

Main thing would be try not to stress too much, if he's hungry he'll eat. If too poorly to eat, he'll make up for it afterwards. Babies are variable how much they have one day to the next. Plus if breastfeeding on demand (ie not a schedule) then your supply will also be fine and amazingly regulates itself to meet their need all by itself. I have a friend who had weaned baby for a couple of months, kid got sick and asked for milkies and it came right back. It will also adjust to provide whatever antibodies etc the kid needs truly amazing system we have!

the bottle was fine

That's good. I know sippy cups aren't normally recommended for babies learning to use a cup btw, because it's better that they learn to regulate flow from a normal cup, but I still think they are useful if you have to introduce a cup suddenly, in this sort of situation.

As long as you continue to express, your supply should not reduce. Try to express at least once at night when your prolactin levels are at their highest.
Hope your baby is better soon

Thank you everyone. So an update:
I've tried to get baby back on the breast but he can't breathe and opens mouth then ends up biting. I've been expressing and giving bottles including some formula when I can't express enough.

I'm really hoping he is able to latch on when his nose clears. Anyone have any experience of this?

We've had feeding strikes due to congestion or teething and it's then been fine a day or two later

Also endured biting and grating teeth.

Relatching and letting them try is the only way

Never could get saline in his nose but snuffle babe and different positions helped

OP, have you tried feeding your baby in the 'Koala hold' position? So, your baby sitting upright, straddling your leg, facing you and latching on that way?. The upright position helps to keep the nose less blocked.
Also, if you can bear to persevere in the beginning moments, I have found that the act of sucking does eventually clear the nose enough to continue. Otherwise, just keep expressing. Once the cold is over, your baby should latch on again just fine.

@Harrysmummy246 glad to hear it's only lasted a few days
@Somethingsnappy yes tried feeding with my son sitting up facing me and he just turned away crying . That was last night so I'll try again today. I'm currently expressing milk praying this isn't how our breastfeeding journey ends

Have you tried skin to skin? Think what finally helped for us was being in the bath together

It doesn't need to be the end of breastfeeding OP. Once your baby recovers, he'll get back into it with gusto! If it's a slow start, just get back to basics with skin to skin etc. It's just frustrating for him at the moment, not being able to breathe. Don't panic.... You're doing really well!

Hi

I’ve having exactly the same problem with my 8 month old! We got a NoseFreida and it’s really helped. The bulb sucker things weren’t working at all but the NoseFreida has really worked.

Yesterday he was so bunged up that he couldn’t feed. Was sucking a couple of times, then coming off and taking a breath and repeating. Poor boy.

We used calpol saline drops and then the NoseFreida. He screamed and wriggled, but was fine after and the amount that came out helped him to breathe a lot more easily.

Hope you find a solution that works for you

Hi all
@Abi138 I totally feel your pain it's been a tough week.
But I've got good news - been able to breastfeed today after using all your lovely ladies' tips. My son is also less bunged up and on the mend I'm sure. Thank goodness and thank you all for your support x