As a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician, I often encounter questions from new mothers about the impact of their health on breastfeeding. One common concern is what to do when you're sick. It's a natural instinct to want to protect your baby from illness, which might lead you to consider stopping breastfeeding or even isolating from your child. However, the science suggests a different approach.  Successful breastfeeding can and should continue despite maternal illness.

The Benefits of Continuing to Breastfeed

When you're unwell, your body produces antibodies to fight the specific virus or bacteria causing your illness. These antibodies are transferred to your baby through breast milk, offering them protection against exactly what you and your baby have been exposed to. While this doesn't guarantee they won't get sick, it can significantly bolster their immune response, aiding them in fighting off the illness more effectively.

The Timing of Infection

It's important to remember that we are often contagious before symptoms appear. This was a key lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time you start feeling ill, your baby has likely already been exposed to the pathogen, making separation less beneficial. Continuing to breastfeed provides your baby with fresh milk rich in protective agents.

Practical Tips for Sick Breastfeeding Mothers

• Direct Breastfeeding or Bottle Feeding: Feel free to continue feeding your baby as you usually would. If you're experiencing symptoms like coughing, wearing a mask can help reduce the risk of transmission.

• Hygiene Practices: Regular handwashing remains critical. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness.

• Self-care: If you're feeling too unwell to breastfeed, it's essential to listen to your body. Rest and hydration are key. Your milk production may dip temporarily, but it typically rebounds. If direct breastfeeding is challenging due to how you are feeling, or if you need to be separated due to hospitalization, try to pump to maintain your milk supply. Normally, your breast milk supply may dip a bit when you’re sick, but continuing to regularly express milk by your baby or a pump will ensure that your breasts don’t turn off completely.

• Medical Care: The need to “pump and dump” is very rare, but is recommended very frequently by healthcare providers when it is not necessary. If you are told to “pump and dump,” reach out to a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to help determine if this is truly the case.

• Trash the Pump and Dump is a great resource on breastfeeding with a variety of maternal and infant medical conditions, as well as information on what medications are safe when you are sick with health conditions such as colds and flu.

Conclusion

In most cases, stopping breastfeeding due to a cold, stomach flu, or similar illnesses isn't necessary. Human milk - and more specifically YOUR fresh breast milk - not only provides nutrition but also essential protection for your baby during this time.  And those awesome baby snuggles and skin-to-skin can even help with your mood and comfort while you’re healing!