Breastfeeding While Sick

When you are sick, you and your baby will almost always benefit from continuing to breastfeed. There are very few illnesses that require a mother to stop nursing. Since most illnesses are caused by viruses that are most contagious before you even realize you are sick, your baby has already been exposed before you even develop symptoms (such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, runny nose, cough, etc). Continuing to breastfeed will help protect your baby from the infection, because your body produces antibodies to the specific bug that is causing the infection, and you pass them on to the baby in your milk. Often, a breastfed baby will be the only member of the family who doesn’t get sick. If he does get sick, he will usually have a much milder case than the older members of the family.
Illnesses are most often transmitted through skin contact and secretions from the mouth and nose. Be sure to wash your hands often, and try to avoid face-to-face contact (and sneezing directly on the baby).

Breastfeeding  your baby while you are sick makes it easier for you to rest. Tuck him into bed with you to nurse, then have someone take him away when you’re done. I remember being so sick that my older kids would bring the baby in to nurse every couple of hours, and I was so out of it that I didn’t even know when she nursed.

Weaning abruptly is never a good idea, especially when you are sick. You put yourself at risk for engorgement and mastitis, as well as the emotional trauma of sudden weaning for both you and the baby. (see “Engorgement” and “Breast Infections and Plugged Ducts“)
You need to make sure that you get plenty of fluids when you’re sick, because you don’t want to become dehydrated. Your milk supply may decrease during and immediately after your illness, but it will quickly build back up when you feel better.

Every year, over 4.3 million women in the U.S. have babies. Nearly all of these moms will use at least one drug while they are pregnant or nursing.