Can I pass illness through breast milk?

Understanding Illness Transmission Through Breast Milk
The question of whether illness can be transmitted through breast milk is nuanced and depends on the specific illness in question. While breast milk is often lauded for its numerous health benefits, including the transfer of antibodies that help protect infants, certain infectious diseases can indeed be transmitted from mother to child through breastfeeding.
Transmission of Specific Infections
Research indicates that a limited number of infections are known to be transmitted through breast milk. Notably, viruses such as HIV, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are among those that can lead to significant health issues in infants if transmitted via breastfeeding. For instance, CMV can cause serious clinical illnesses in susceptible infants, particularly those who are premature or immunocompromised. In a study, nearly 60% of infants exposed to CMV through breast milk developed infections, highlighting the potential risks involved.
Common Illnesses and Breastfeeding
On the other hand, many common illnesses, such as colds and the flu, do not pose a risk of transmission through breast milk. In fact, breastfeeding during such illnesses is not only safe but also beneficial. The antibodies present in the mother’s milk can help bolster the infant’s immune system, providing protection against the very viruses the mother is fighting. Experts generally agree that it is advisable for mothers to continue breastfeeding even when they are ill, as the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the risks.
Consulting Healthcare Providers
Given the complexities surrounding this issue, it is crucial for mothers to discuss their health conditions with healthcare providers. This is particularly important for those with known infections that could be transmitted through breast milk. Healthcare professionals can provide tailored advice on whether breastfeeding is safe and what precautions might be necessary.
Conclusion
In summary, while certain serious infections can be transmitted through breast milk, many common illnesses do not pose a risk. Breastfeeding remains a vital source of nutrition and immunity for infants, and mothers are encouraged to continue breastfeeding even when they are sick, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional. The key takeaway is to maintain open communication with medical providers to ensure the health and safety of both mother and child.

Can you pass virus through breast milk?

Transmission occurs through contact with respiratory secretions, and droplet precautions are protective. No evidence suggests transmission through breast milk or breastfeeding.

How to fight a cold while breastfeeding?

Making sure you take in plenty of fluids and eat nourishing foods. Use saline sprays and humidifiers for nasal congestion and throat lozenges for sore throat and cough. If you are sick enough to need antiviral medications, Tamiflu is preferred for breastfeeding mothers over other antiviral medications.

Can I kiss my baby if I have a sore throat?

People who are displaying any signs of illness like cough, runny nose, sore throat, or a rash should not come into close contact with a newborn. “The newborn period is not the time to try to build immunity,” she said. “It is the time to protect newborns from others who are sick.

What illnesses should you not breastfeed with?

The only true contraindications to breastfeeding are the following:

• Infants with classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency)
• Mothers, in the US, who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), untreated brucellosis, or suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease.

Should I stay away from my baby if I’m sick?

Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs. Avoid close contact with your baby if you are sick and encourage friends and family to do the same, especially during cold and flu season.

Should I stay away from my newborn if I’m sick?

It’s important to make sure visitors do not have any signs or symptoms of illness that could spread to the baby. Anybody with fevers, runny noses, coughs, diarrhea or other symptoms should not visit the baby until they are resolved completely.

Can you pass the flu through breast milk?

The flu is spread mainly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets when people cough, sneeze, or talk. These droplets can also possibly spread when a person touches a surface or object that has the flu virus and then touches their own mouth or nose. Flu is not transmitted through breast milk.

Will my baby get sick if I’m sick?

While you’re sick, though, protect your baby from as many germs as possible. Babies have a higher risk of catching the flu and having health problems from it. So: Wash your hands well and often.

Will my breastfed baby get sick if I am sick?

In fact, your body will actually start producing antibodies for those illnesses and pass those antibodies through your milk to your baby, effectively reducing the risk and severity of those illnesses to your infant and/or toddler.

What illness can be passed through breast milk?

Serious Illnesses and Breastfeeding

• COVID-19. A parent who tests positive for COVID-19 can breastfeed their infant.
• HIV.
• Hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis C.
• Tuberculosis.
• Other infections.
• Cancer.
• More information.