Can I breastfeed my baby if I have runny nose?

Can I Breastfeed My Baby If I Have a Runny Nose?
Breastfeeding while experiencing a runny nose is a common concern for many new mothers. The good news is that, in most cases, you can continue to breastfeed your baby even if you have a cold or similar symptoms.
Understanding the Risks
When a mother has a runny nose, it is often due to a viral infection, such as the common cold. While it’s natural to worry about transmitting illness to your baby, the reality is that breastfeeding can actually provide protective benefits. Breast milk contains antibodies that help bolster your baby’s immune system, making it crucial for their health, especially when they are exposed to germs.
Breastfeeding Benefits During Illness
Continuing to breastfeed during your illness is beneficial for both you and your baby. Your body produces antibodies in response to the infection, which are then passed through your milk. This means that even if you are sick, your milk is tailored to help your baby fight off similar infections. Moreover, breastfeeding can provide comfort to your baby, helping them feel secure and loved during a time when they might be feeling under the weather themselves.
Managing Symptoms While Nursing
If you are experiencing symptoms like a runny nose, it’s important to take care of yourself as well. Staying hydrated and resting can help your body recover more quickly. If you need to take medication to alleviate your symptoms, many cold medications are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, it’s always wise to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that any medication you take will not affect your milk supply or your baby.
Precautions to Consider
While breastfeeding is generally safe, there are a few precautions you might want to take. Practicing good hygiene is essential; wash your hands frequently and consider wearing a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. This can help minimize the risk of spreading germs to your baby. Additionally, if your baby shows signs of illness, such as a stuffy nose or cough, it’s important to monitor their symptoms and consult a pediatrician if necessary.
Conclusion
In summary, having a runny nose does not mean you need to stop breastfeeding. In fact, continuing to breastfeed can provide your baby with essential antibodies and comfort. By taking care of your health and practicing good hygiene, you can safely nourish your baby while you recover from your cold. Always consult with healthcare professionals if you have specific concerns or if your symptoms worsen.

When should you not breastfeed?

Women who actively use drugs or do not control their alcohol intake, or who have a history of these situations, also may be advised not to breastfeed. Infants who have galactosemia—a rare metabolic disorder in which the body cannot digest the sugar galactose—should not be breastfed.

Can I kiss my baby if I have a runny nose?

If siblings are experiencing colds or other respiratory symptoms, they should not be allowed to kiss or hold the baby until their illness has passed.

How do you dry up a runny nose while breastfeeding?

Antihistamines are generally safe to take when you’re breastfeeding. But there are different types of antihistamines, and they don’t all work the same way for cold symptoms. First-generation antihistamines are better at drying up a runny nose or watery eyes caused by a cold or flu virus.

How can I prevent passing my cold to my baby?

The best defense against the common cold is commonsense precautions and frequent hand-washing.

1. Keep your baby away from anyone who’s sick.
2. Wash your hands before feeding or touching your baby.
3. Clean your baby’s toys and pacifiers often.
4. Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue.

Can a newborn catch a cold from mom?

Someone with a cold who touches your baby’s hand can spread the cold virus to your baby, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Contaminated surfaces. Some viruses live on surfaces for two hours or longer. Your baby may catch a virus by touching a contaminated surface, such as a toy.

Can I breastfeed if I have a runny nose?

Summary. You can continue to breastfeed when you have a cough, cold, the flu or COVID-19. Your child will not catch the infection from your breastmilk. Your milk will contain antibodies to the infection, which may protect your child.

Can breast milk clear a stuffy nose?

Nasal aspirator: When looking for how to get phlegm out of baby’s throat and nose, nasal aspirators can help. Instead of loosening the mucus, aspirators physically remove it (so it helps to apply saline or breast milk drops into the nose first to loosen things up).

Is my baby sick if she has a runny nose?

There are several reasons why a baby might come down with a runny nose, ranging from illnesses to allergies and more. “The main causes of runny nose in children are viral infections, bacterial infections, and environmental allergies,” says Nicole Wawrin, MD, a pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine.

How do you feed a baby with a runny nose?

But what are your best bets for feeding kids when they are mildly sick with a little sneezing, a cough and a runny nose? Diluted fruit juices, water, soup and broth are great ways to replenish fluids. If your child has a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, follow your pediatrician’s recommendations for replacing fluids.

Can I pass my cold to my breastfed baby?

Not only is it safe but breastfeeding during illness is also a good idea. The CDC states, “A mother’s breast milk contains antibodies and other immunological factors that can help protect her infant from illness and is the recommended source of nutrition for the infant, even while the mother is ill.