Can You Breastfeed When You're Sick?

Short answer: almost always, yes. And in most cases you should.

When you catch a cold, a stomach bug or the flu, your body starts producing antibodies to it. Those antibodies pass into your breast milk. Your baby has usually already been exposed to whatever you have, so continuing to feed is one of the better things you can do for them.

Why stopping is usually the wrong instinct

Weaning abruptly while unwell tends to make things harder, not safer. It removes the antibody supply your baby is getting, and it risks engorgement and clogged ducts at exactly the moment you have no energy to deal with either.

Sensible precautions

• Wash your hands often, especially before feeding.
• Cough or sneeze away from your baby, into your elbow.
• A mask while feeding is reasonable if you have a respiratory infection.
• Do not share cups, cutlery or towels.
• Rest whenever you can, and keep fluids up. Being ill and breastfeeding is dehydrating.

Medication

Many common medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, but plenty are not, and “natural” does not mean safe. Check with your doctor or pharmacist and tell them you are breastfeeding — they can almost always find a suitable option rather than telling you to stop.

Be cautious with decongestants in particular. Some, especially pseudoephedrine, are associated with a drop in supply.

When to get advice

Speak to your doctor if you have a high fever that will not come down, if you are too unwell to keep fluids down, if you have a breast infection with fever and spreading redness, or if you are dealing with something more serious than a seasonal bug. There are a small number of infections where feeding directly needs to be paused, and your doctor will tell you if that applies.

If your supply dips

A temporary dip while you are ill is common and usually recovers once you do. It is generally down to dehydration, exhaustion and feeding less often rather than the illness itself. Feed or express as regularly as you can manage, and be patient with yourself.

Making it through the week

When you are ill, eating properly is the first thing to go. Our Boobkies are easy to keep by the bed — 200g resealable packs, baked fresh to order in Singapore, with oats, flaxseed and brewer’s yeast. No eggs, no fenugreek, no artificial flavourings, no preservatives.

Our Moringa Nettle Rose nursing tea is caffeine free, which helps when you are trying to rest and rehydrate at the same time.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you are unwell, speak to your doctor or a lactation consultant.