Common bugs and illnesses like, the cold, flu and even Covid-19 cannot pass onto baby through breast milk. Another concern you may have can be proximity, for obvious reasons you would not want to breathe, sneeze or cough too close to your little one whilst feeding in case you get them sick. Remember, you can express/pump until you feel better or pull out the box of face masks to cover up whilst feeding. I'm sure many of us have them lingering around the house somewhere from the lockdown days.
It is important to empty your breasts of milk as usual to prevent a drop in milk supply and to avoid any additional discomfort and pain from engorgement. Make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water to flush out any illness you have and to stay hydrated whilst expressing and feeding. Rest as much as you can between feeding sessions, breastfeeding can be draining when you are feeling fine, it can be even more exhausting when you are sick. Get those naps in! Don't panic if you see a drop in milk supply whilst you are unwell, this is completely normal. Keep up your feeding regimen and your supply should return to normal.
You may already know this, but it is one of my favourite gems to share with new mamas who are breastfeeding. Your breastmilk shares antibodies with your child. So, there you have it, breastfeeding through illness isn't just safe, it's vital for your baby. Many viruses cannot pass through breast milk, but those ever so important antibodies do. When you get sick, your body develops antibodies to fight infections, this gets passed to your baby when feeding. Babies haven't developed a strong enough immune system to fight infection the way our bodies can, so our bodies learn what they need and adapt to it. Babies build up immunity that protects them from illnesses with your bespoke antibody rich breast milk, they don't call mamas milk liquid gold without good reason!
Breastfeeding whilst sick can also pose another question, what medications are safe? It's always best to check with your doctor to make sure your medicine isn't passed to baby or diminishes your milk supply. Follow guidance on healthy foods to recover and you can always check LactMed as a resource for any medication you are taking, it also lists possible adverse effects to your child too. LactMed is a free database compiled by the National Institutes of Health that provides information on whether certain medications are safe to take whilst breastfeeding. The information is based on scientific research and is peer-reviewed to ensure the information provided is accurate and up to date.
Good luck, Mama. You got this xx
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