Breastfeeding Whilst Sick
Breastfeeding is a natural and essential method to nourish a baby, celebrated for its numerous health benefits. Many mothers in Malaysia, however, often question whether it's safe to continue breastfeeding when they fall ill. The good news is that, in most cases, it is safe and beneficial to continue. Breastfeeding during illness can provide your baby with critical immune protection, thanks to the antibodies your body produces in response to illness.
This blog will dive into what the latest research says about breastfeeding while sick, debunking common myths and reassuring mothers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports continued breastfeeding despite common maternal illnesses like colds or the flu.
Understanding Illness Transmission Through Breast Milk: Recognising that most common illnesses cannot be transmitted through breast milk is vital. Instead, breast milk is rich in antibodies that help protect your baby from many infections, offering a layer of defence when maternal health is compromised. When a mother is exposed to a virus or bacteria, the antibodies she produces fight off the infection for her and are passed to the baby, enhancing the baby's immune response.
This process underscores the importance of continuing to nurse, as it directly contributes to the infant's health by fortifying their immune system against specific pathogens.
Conditions Affecting Breastfeeding Decisions: While most illnesses are safely managed without interrupting breastfeeding, some exceptions require medical guidance. Conditions like active tuberculosis or HIV are serious and can potentially be transmitted through breast milk.
Mothers diagnosed with or suspecting such conditions should consult healthcare professionals to determine the safest action. This often involves working closely with a doctor to develop a plan that ensures the baby's safety without forgoing the benefits of breast milk, tailored to individual health scenarios.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding While Sick: The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports continued breastfeeding despite common maternal illnesses like colds or the flu. Research indicates that continuing to breastfeed during maternal illness may reduce the baby's chances of contracting the same illness.
A notable study in Clinical Lactation reported that babies breastfed during their mother's illness showed fewer symptoms and required less medical intervention, highlighting breastfeeding's role in active immunity transfer from mother to baby.
Precautions to Take While Breastfeeding Sick: It is crucial to take precautions to prevent spreading the illness to your baby while continuing to breastfeed. Practices such as meticulous handwashing, using tissues or masks to cover coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close face-to-face contact can significantly reduce transmission risks.
Such measures are particularly important during respiratory illnesses or when any symptoms that can be directly transmitted through air or touch are present. Maintaining these hygiene practices ensures that the benefits of breastfeeding can be enjoyed without unnecessarily exposing the infant to pathogens.
Medications and Breastfeeding: Choosing the right medications when sick and breastfeeding is crucial to ensure effective symptom management and safety for the baby. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are generally safe and can alleviate symptoms without affecting breast milk.
Conversely, medications like pseudoephedrine, found in many decongestants or certain painkillers, can reduce milk supply or pose risks to the baby and should be avoided. Consulting with a healthcare provider before taking any medication is advisable to ensure it is safe for breastfeeding.
Managing Milk Supply and Feeding During Illness: Maintaining a milk supply while sick can be challenging, especially if the illness affects one's ability to nurse regularly. Frequent breastfeeding or pumping is critical to maintaining milk production and ensuring the baby receives all the necessary nutrients.
If physically breastfeeding is too demanding during illness, using a breast pump can be an effective alternative, allowing the baby to benefit from breast milk without taxing the mother's strength.
Conclusion: Overall, mothers can continue breastfeeding safely while managing common illnesses. Breastfeeding offers unparalleled benefits beyond basic nutrition, providing vital immune support to the baby during maternal illness. It is essential, however, to take appropriate precautions, consult healthcare providers about medication safety, and consider alternative feeding strategies if necessary to maintain the health and well-being of both mother and baby. By understanding breastfeeding dynamics during illness, mothers can feel empowered to make the best decisions for their health and babies.
Further Reading and Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012). Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics, 129(3), e827-e841. Read more here.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Breastfeeding and COVID-19. Learn more.
Clinical Lactation. (2016). Breastfeeding while sick. Access the study here.
World Health Organization. (2018). Breastfeeding and maternal medication. Recommendations for drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs.
