Can a Baby Catch a Cold From Breastfeeding
The season of sneezes and sniffles is upon us, and many moms and babies are likely to take hold of colds or the flu. Evidence shows that breastfed babies have considerable protection from such illnesses, and when they do become ill, relief can come direct from mother's milk.
Colostrum, the early milk a breastfed newborn receives for a few days later on birth, contains highly full-bodied antibodies that protect confronting many diseases. Mature milk continues to protect infants from many diseases and strengthens the immune system. Babies who are not breastfed take a higher risk of contracting bacterial infections, such as E. coli and salmonella; viral infections, such as flu and rotavirus; likewise every bit parasites.
I of the most amazing qualities of human milk is how it adapts. As mother and baby are exposed to bacteria and viruses, milk includes antibodies specific to those antigens. It also contains more general disease-fighting substances that provide help in preventing many common illnesses. A mother will laissez passer antibodies to her baby through her milk, which can really destroy bacteria in the babe'south gastrointestinal tract before they accept a take a chance to make baby ill. Ear infections and allergies occur more commonly in babies who are not breastfed.
When babe does get sick, one of the best things a mother can practise is keep breastfeeding. Babies who are sick need to keep up their fluid intake, especially if there is vomiting or diarrhea. Breastfeeding should continue as usual, and there is rarely a need to replace or supplement human milk with water, juice, or Pedialyte. If the baby is too sick to breastfeed, expressed chest milk tin can exist given from a cup, canteen, syringe, or eyedropper.
If baby's olfactory organ is as well stuffy to breastfeed, suggestions include:i,2
- Run a cool mist vaporizer near where baby sleeps.
- Accept infant into the bath afterward you accept filled the room with steam from the shower.
- Utilise a nasal aspirator to suction mucus from baby's nostrils. Clasp the bulb first, insert the tip into infant's nose, and and so slowly release the seedling so the suction gently pulls out excess mucus. Mom's health-care provider tin testify her how to use a olfactory organ spray or practise nasal suctioning, if she hasn't already been instructed in these techniques.
Hither is a video demonstrating nasal suctioning.
When mother is ill, in that location are a few steps she tin can accept to reduce the take a chance of passing the illness to her baby, such as washing her hands oft, and trying not to cough or sneeze on the baby while nursing or whenever infant is shut.
Nursing mothers should be cautious of taking over-the-counter medications while breastfeeding. Decongestants can cause babies to be irritable, and antihistamines can make them drowsy.i Pseudoephedrine has been shown to suppress milk supply. 2 For more data almost medications for utilize in breastfeeding mothers, visit LactMed.
References
one. Gaskin, Ina May. Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding. NYC: Bantam, 2009.
2. Lauwers, Judith, and Anna Swisher. Counseling the Nursing Mother. Sudbury. MA: Jones and Bartlett, 2011.
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Source: https://breastfeedingusa.org/content/article/breastfeeding-through-colds-and-flu
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