Being sick/flu and run down while expressing milk for a 10wk early premmie – is it safe?
3 November 2009 7 Responses
A Parent asks, My sister gave birth a week ago to a 10wk early premmie. She is expressing breastmilk but has just started feeling unwell with sore throat, green mucas and is basically run down. On day 6 bub took a step backwards with a staph infection. With her feeling unwell and his infection is it wise to keep expressing milk.
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Breastmilk is definitely best for the baby. Mom’s illness won’t affect the milk. I would say it is beneficial.
Yes, she can continue to breastfeed with the flu. In fact, doing so will help to give the baby immunity to the flu.
She should keep expressing her milk for sure! She should go see her Dr. though before taking any meds and make sure she hasn’t developed an infection!
YES! Absolutely! Especially with a premature baby. The baby will get mom’s antibodies through the breastmilk and he or she really needs those nutrients and antibodies now. I know it’s tough. I got a terrible cold when my daughter was only 7 weeks old and I was terrified that she would develop some kind of respiratory illness or at the very least get my bad cold but I was told to keep breastfeeding. All the research I did on line backed it up too. She did get a little sniffle for 2 days but that was it. My pediatrician said that she got the antibodies to my virus through my breastmilk and it protected her from getting sick! The huiman body is an amazing thing!!!
Oh, by the way, if your sis takes any antihistimines like sudafed, etc, it may decrease her milk production slightly. Tell her not to worry it will come right back to normal when she stops taking them.
If you are worried that your neice or nephew could get sick from the breast milk, that isn’t possible. Her body will infact make antibodies in the breastmilk to pass on the baby for whatever germs she has been exposed to. It would probably be best to ask the NICU nurses or the baby’s doctor, but I think that contiuing to breastfeed the baby would be the best thing for it.
I can understand that with the stress of delivering early, caring for a preemie and not feeling well could be rough. I would advise her to keep expressing as much as she feels she can. Even, if the baby ends up having to have some breastmilk and some formula–some breastmilk is better than no breastmilk at all.
I would say to anyone…be careful! Consult your doctor. Geez! I can never understand why people rely on random response number 3 for a medical decision of which the responders have no qualifications to answer. Even if he/she claims he is a doctor of “whatever”…how do you know? You don’t! This is your child’s health, just take the time, energy, and possible financial expense to ask a qualified professional. Take the advice you get on these message boards with a grain of salt. (I would say even my own, but since I am telling you to consult those who have spent many years and many thousands of dollars on an education, my advice is simply to consult those with expertise/training in the field.)
A doctors visit is definitely a good idea, especially with a premature baby around you dont want to take any chances. I would also suggest that you guys invest in some gymsoap. Its this new brand of soap out that is revolutionary! It not only has the typical antibacterial fighting agents but also anti fungal ones as well, so things like the influenza virus, staph, ring worm and athletes foot are all prevented when you use this soap. Its scent is very light and clean and its gentle enough to use around baby. I would highly recommend using it frequently to protect not only the little one but also yourselves. Also a very good idea to have your guests wash their hands with it before holding your baby. Try it out and see if it works for you…I love it! http://www.gymsoap.com Hope this helps, good luck!
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