Being sick while breastfeeding
Being sick in the postpartum period is no fun. If you are breastfeeding and get covid, the flu or another illness, in most cases it's best to still keep on breastfeeding. Try to stick to your normal feeding routine as much as possible.
If your baby's appetite is down because they are also sick, pump if possible. If it's not possible to pump enough to replicate your baby's normal intake, do your best so that you can a) avoid mastitis and b) maintain your milk supply. Once you and baby are recovered and back to your normal routine, your milk supply should bounce back.
If your baby is not sick, you can still be around them. Take care to wash your hands and cough and sneeze away from baby.
Keep yourself hydrated, rest and take care of yourself. Your baby needs you to be healthy.
When you and baby are feeling better, do lots of skin to skin, and nurse as much as possible. If you can, take a "nursing vacation" and just focus on nursing and resting with baby.
Try not to get discouraged. It's common for your milk supply to have ups and downs and when your body receives signals to make more milk, it will.
Stress can lead to decreased milk supply so it's really best to stay positive. Reach out for lactation support if needed!
For medication questions, Infant Risk has a helpful page: https://infantrisk.com/content/cough-cold-
medications-while-breastfeeding
As far as your baby goes, they don't need anything extra like pedialyte or other fluids as long as they are nursing. If their appetite is significantly down and/or you see any signs of dehydration (lack of wet diapers, dry lips, orange crystals in diapers, sunken soft spot) -call your pediatrician.
When babies get sick they will need a lot of extra comfort and snuggles. Fortunately just being with you takes care of that
Has your baby had a cold yet this fall? Hang in there mama!
Information on common medications while breastfeeding:
Elderberry: no research available
Sources:
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®)
[Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-.
Elderberry. 2021 Jun 21. PMID: 30000895.
Mother To Baby | Fact Sheets [Internet]. Brentwood (TN): Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS); 1994-. Seasonal Influenza (The Flu). 2021 Aug. PMID: 35952219.