Can I breastfeed w/ a cold?

[verrine]

I woke up the past 2 mornings with a sore throat so I've been taking extra vitamin C & B-complex & trying to sleep more. What do I do if it gets worse? DS is 6 weeks old & exclusively breastfed, although I'm sure he'd take formula as he's okay with the bottle from Dad & basically just wants to be fed. Is it ok to bf if you have a cold? Or should I pump & dump?

[COElizabeth]

Yes, you absolutely can keep nursing with a cold, and you should, because your milk will contain antibodies your body is developing to fight the virus. Those antibodies will help your baby fight the cold, too, if he gets it.

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02
and Charlotte, 11-04-04

[Rachels]

Elizabeth is right. You should also avoid decongestants if you possibly can, because they can decrease your milk supply. Be sure to stay well hydrated, too.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif Two years and counting!

[verrine]

Thanks for setting my mind at ease. I looked at the link & now I know to stay off Sudafed. No worries about hydration; it seems like I'm always drinking a huge glass of water.