
Breastfeeding During Cold and Flu Season
As a new or expectant mother, it’s natural to feel concerned about keeping both yourself and your baby healthy during cold and flu season. The good news is that breastfeeding offers important protection for your baby and is one of the best ways to shield your little one from illness, even when you’re feeling under the weather. With a few simple steps, you can continue to care for your baby and keep them healthy throughout the season.
How Breastfeeding Protects Your Baby
- Immune Boost: Breast milk contains antibodies and other nutrients that help protect your baby. When you’re sick, your body produces special antibodies that get passed through your milk, helping your baby fight off any germs that they’re exposed to.1
- Your Milk is Medicine: Many common illnesses like colds and the flu don’t pass to your baby through breast milk. In fact, breastfeeding while you’re sick can help reduce the risk of your baby catching what you’ve got.
- Breastfeeding Offers Comfort: If your baby does become ill, continuing to breastfeed can help reduce their symptoms, keep them hydrated, and offer comfort while they’re sick.
- Continue Breastfeeding: Keep breastfeeding your baby as you normally would. If you need extra rest, try breastfeeding lying down, and ask for help with other baby care tasks.
- Wash your Hands: Germs spread quickly, so it’s important to wash your hands before touching your baby or anything your baby uses, like bottles or pacifiers.
- Cover your Cough: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose, and avoid coughing or sneezing directly near your baby.
- Stay Hydrated and Rest: Drink plenty of fluids and take breaks when you can. Your body needs extra care to recover.
Dealing with Cold or Flu Symptoms
- Check Cold Medication Ingredients: It is best to avoid cold/flu medications that contain the decongestants, Pseudoephedrine or Pheylephrine, as these can decrease breast milk production. Infant Risk is a great resource for which medications are best as you are navigating the medication aisle! You can also check with your doctor or pharmacist for safer alternatives.4
- Natural Remedies: Drink warm teas with honey and lemon, use a humidifier, or try a neti pot or saline nasal spray to relieve congestion. These are usually safe for breastfeeding mothers and can help you feel better.
When to Seek Help
- If Baby Gets Sick: If your baby develops cold or flu symptoms, contact your pediatrician for advice. Fevers in infants under 3 months old can be a sign of a more serious illness and should be reported to their healthcare provider immediately.
- If You’re Too Sick to Breastfeed: If you’re very unwell or need to be hospitalized, express your milk (if possible) so your baby can continue to benefit from the antibodies in your milk. If needed, someone else can feed the expressed milk to your baby until you are feeling well enough to return to breastfeeding.
- Reduced Milk Supply: Some mothers find that after the flu, a stomach bug, or a high fever, dehydration may contribute to a temporary drop in milk production. Breastfeeding frequently while you rest, recover, and hydrate should help your supply rebound within a few days.
- Get Breastfeeding Help: A Lactation Consultant can provide invaluable support when breastfeeding challenges arise, especially while you’re ill. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need advice.
Take Care of Yourself
Remember, it’s important to take care of your own health too. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your little one and provide them with all the benefits of your immune system—even when you’re not feeling your best. Cold and flu season may feel tough, but your body and your breast milk are working hard to protect your baby. You’ve got this, mama!
What If I Have Questions?
If you are interested in learning more, this Aeroflow class expands on some of the topics discussed above:
- Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep
- Lactation Q&A
To register for this class, log into your portal or click here.
Want More Info?
For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:
Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical evaluation or consultation. Please seek advice from your own healthcare providers for individualized recommendations.
References
- https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057988/188347/Policy-Statement-Breastfeeding-and-the-Use-of?autologincheck=redirected
- https://lllusa.org/breastfeeding-during-illness/
- https://www.springerpub.com/blog/breastfeeding-flu-season/?srsltid=AfmBOoq8z_7fPhANlOg_To2cpR8FZEKBmglwOq9QVYh4cCA4NLN4RfaS
- https://infantrisk.com/content/cough-cold-medications-while-breastfeeding