Gastroenteritis while breastfeeding newborn

[Stardust127]

Hello

I have a 12 day old newborn and I have unfortunately caught this stomach bug while at a playground yesterday with my toddler. My concern is that I am breastfeeding, seemingly constantly as I’m feeding on demand. But I can’t eat - anything I do, just goes straight through me. I’m drinking as much as I can, but again I’m not sure how much of that I’m keeping down. TMI - it’s just diarrhea I have at the moment, no vomiting but I’m still not keeping much liquid down I don’t think.

All the while my poor body is trying to produce all this milk for my baby. How concerned do I need to be about this and does it require medical attention? Sorry if I’m being dumb but it’s the first baby of mine who has actually wanted to breastfeed so I don’t know much.

thank you x

this happened to me, my new baby caught it and had to be hospitalised for a night so keep an eye on the baby. I took mine in after he vomited a feed and he needed iv fluids. Hopefully it wont happen.

Hi! Are you sure it’s a stomach virus, on average they take about 36-48 hours to kick in from infection. If you are sure it’s just a bug and nothing post-natal (although not sure what else it could be!) then Dioralyte is safe to take when breastfeeding and will help your body whilst you’re trying to recover and feed your baby :) hope you feel better soon xx

Thank you for the heads up that’s really good to know. I’m sorry you went through that it must have been very worrying. very good you acted so quickly though!

I’ll definitely keep an eye on her, she’s feeding loads and not vomiting so I think she’s okay. She does a LOT of poops though but she has done since she was a few days old midwife said breastfed babies poop more. Just means it won’t really be a valid thing to go by with regards to working out if it’s a virus x

I was always told that your body will prioritise milk so your milk should be fine. I had various noro type bugs while feeding mine (although not at 12 days pp you poor thing!!) and never sought any medical attention. Just took to my bed with the baby and got hubby to help as much as possible. Get well soon xx

Thank you so much I actually have some dioralyte in the medicine cupboard so I’ll take some of that. Interesting about the thoughts of it possibly being a postpartum thing. It’s made me think that it could be the macaroni cheese I made last night. I’m lactose intolerant but can tolerate hard cheeses and things like chocolate. I’m now wondering if my body is just being super sensitive to dairy in any form now because of all the hormones etc and causing a terrible Ibs flare up x

There's a LOT of norovirus about. Look after yourself, that's such rotten luck at 12 days!

Thank you and I know right, the joys of having a toddler and a new born! 🫠😂

That’s really good to know re milk supply being prioritised, that’s all I really care about tbh. And getting better of course. I was starting to think it might be my dairy intolerance actually flaring up but the symptoms are ongoing so I’m back to thinking it’s a virus. Absolutely sucks to have it so soon after having baby - I was so ready to be freed of the pains from pregnancy then this hits me 🫠 luckily my husband is off work as we also have a toddler to look after 😮‍💨 xx

I would wear a mask (some of the stomach bugs are airborne) and wash hands ans sheets and clothes religiously so you don't pass it on to newborn. Your milk will be fine.

I’ve had this a few times with both dc. The medical advise I had was to keep feeding but you have to be rigouous about your fluid intake and take electrolyte replacement drinks. Don’t try and do anything other than rest, feed baby and hydrate yourself. I was advised that your breast milk will help your baby avoid the virus or get a milder form (and if they start being sick - again keep feeding them. No formula / dairy). Good luck! It’s tough I know …