When a breastfeeding mother is ill
by Cordelia Uys, NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor
Above is a photo kindly shared by Cina Escudero, an admin for the Facebook group NWL Breastfeeding. She is breastfeeding her daughter Maddie while ill.
Below I’ve shared quotes from members NWL Breastfeeding with their tips for coping when breastfeeding during an illness.
Reasons to continue breastfeeding
Protection for your baby
It’s common for mothers to worry about the safety of continuing to breastfeed when they’re feeling unwell, as they think they might pass the illness on to their nurseling, but chances are the child will already have been exposed to whatever pathogens are causing the illness, before the mother has even started to feel unwell.
If you fall ill with a cold, flu or gastroenteritis, continuing to breastfeed is the safest thing for your child, whatever their age, as there will be antibodies tailored to fight the illness in your milk.
“I know breastfeeding is tough when you’re feeling dreadful, but the antibodies in your milk will provide your baby will considerable protection.” Gwyneth Elizabeth, admin for NWL Breastfeeding
“Antibodies in your milk will help protect your baby from catching your flu. If he does catch it, they will reduce the severity of his illness and help him recover more quickly.” Kathryn Stagg, IBCLC Lactation Consultant
Protection for you
Continuing to breastfeed is also the safest thing for you, because stopping suddenly would put you at risk of developing blocked ducts and mastitis. There could also be a long-term impact on your milk supply. Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding will not weaken you or delay your recovery.
If you are is too unwell to safely hold your baby, you may still be able to breastfeed in the side-lying position, especially if someone else is around to bring your nurseling to you and look after them once you’ve finished breastfeeding.
“We had four weeks of scarlet fever and colds when I’ve never been more grateful for breastfeeding. I was totally rinsed and hallucinating with tiredness but I was so pleased to have the boob during this period! I looked on breastfeeding as a positive recovery aid to both me and my baby.” Cogs Sutherland, admin for NWL Breastfeeding
Gastroenteritis
If you have gastroenteritis, it’s vital you wash your hands very carefully after each bout of diarrhoea or vomiting. You may see a temporary drop in supply if you are struggling to keep food and water down. Drinking small amounts of water as frequently as you can will hopefully keep you hydrated. Continuing to breastfeed as often as you can manage will protect your supply and it will soon bounce back once you are feeling better.
If you have to stop breastfeeding temporarily
If you have to stop breastfeeding for a while, for example because you’ve been admitted to hospital and your baby can’t come with you, then it’s essential that you double pump with a good quality pump - ideally a hospital grade double pump - as frequently as you would normally breastfeed. It’s worth asking the hospital if your baby and a carer can be admitted with you. The Infant Feeding Lead for that hospital might be able to help explain to staff why this is important.
Checking the safety of medications
Quite often mothers are under the impression that they can’t take any kind of medication when breastfeeding, and therefore feel quite desperate when they get a cold or another illness. But many painkillers and other medications, including quite a few antibiotics, can safely be taken whilst breastfeeding.
The best place to check which medications are compatible with breastfeeding is the Breastfeeding Network’s (BfN)Drugs in Breastmilk service:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/
If you can’t find the medication you’re looking for, you can contact the Breastfeeding Network’s (BfN) Drugs in Breastmilk team of pharmacists via their Facebook page or via email.
Painkillers
Here’s the BfN’s information on analgesics (painkillers):
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/analgesics/
Colds and flu
Here’s information on which medications and home remedies you can use when suffering from a cold whilst breastfeeding:
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/cold-remedies/
In summary:
Optimal treatment choices for colds and flu:
Paracetamol
Ibuprofen
Steam Inhalation
Anaesthetic throat spray
To be avoided:
Products containing aspirin
Oral decongestants (for example Sudafed & Lemsip)
From the BfN:
ORAL DECONGESTANTS should be avoided by breastfeeding mothers as they can dramatically reduce milk supply with just one or two doses e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine. Individual ingredients need to be checked as there are many products available with multiple drugs each of which should be considered separately for safe consumption during breastfeeding.
For more information on decongestants and breastfeeding see https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/decongestants/
“Many people take decongestant tablets, powders and lemon drinks when they have a cold or sinus pain. Although they are unlikely to affect a breastfeeding baby they have a potential significant impact on milk supply and should be avoided during breastfeeding.
Inhaling steam is a cheap and effective means of reducing congestion and should be used frequently before resorting to drugs. Decongestant sprays are as effective and have no effect on supply as they only work locally in the nasal passages.”
Members of NWL Breastfeeding share their tips
Safe medications:
NeilMed Sinus Rinse: https://www.boots.com/neilmed-sinus-rinse-kit-10077009 - highly recommended by two members.
Otrivine nasal spray: https://www.otrivine.co.uk/products/otrivin-adult-nasal-spray.html
“I tried Otrivine spray for the first time when I was ill recently and couldn’t use Night Nurse as I’m breastfeeding. I found it to be a game changer - it worked really well.” Gwyneth Elizabeth, admin for NWL Breastfeeding
Sterimar Nasal Spray: https://www.boots.com/sterimar-isotonic-nasal-hygiene-spray-100ml-10028386
“Sterimar is sea water. It’s amazing! You can use it as many times as you need. Wish I had found this when we had Covid last Xmas.” Tarryn Klotnick, member of NWL Breastfeeding
Comvita manuka honey lozenges: https://www.comvita.co.uk/lozenges
Home remedies:
“I’ve only ever taken painkillers for flu. For colds and congestion I’ve always used menthol and eucalyptus steam inhalations - even before I was breastfeeding or pregnant as I find it so effective.” Cogs Sutherland, admin for NWL Breastfeeding
“I've felt really rubbish not being able to take Lemsip and Sudafed! One thing that has really helped has been putting eucalyptus oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling it with a towel over my head. Also gargling with salt water and drinking a lot of turmeric juice.” Sasha Sabapathy, member of NWL Breastfeeding
Tips from Olivia Margo, member of NWL Breastfeeding:
“Turmeric tea or pills; ginger tea and elderberry syrup are amazing.
Also nasal sprays (which are fine as they’re on the BfN list of medications compatible with breastfeeding).
Olbas oil in the humidifier at night.
You can buy saline spray to wash out your nose or make your own (boiled water with salt, let it cool down so just a little warm, then squirt or pour up one nostril and out the other.)
Spring onion in hot water to drink; garlic (chop up the garlic, let it sit for 10 minutes then swallow whole like mini pills).”
Tips from Tarryn Klotnick, member of NWL Breastfeeding:
“I make a potion for coughs:
Ten organic dates chopped and boiled in 1litre of water.
Strain the water (to keep) .
Add 200ml honey and when cool add the juice of two lemons (for vitamin C).
Keep in fridge and have a shot three times a day.
I give it to my kids too and they love it (N.B. they’re both over 12 months - honey isn’t safe for babies under 12 month). This is totally anecdotal and I realise it sounds bonkers but it’s delicious and even if it doesn’t ‘work’ it honestly makes us all feel momentarily better. Anything to help this unrelenting season of flu.”
Links:
Should breastfeeding continue when mom is sick?:
When a mother is ill - La Leche League: