How do you treat flu while breastfeeding?

Treating the Flu While Breastfeeding: A Comprehensive Guide
When a breastfeeding mother contracts the flu, it can raise concerns about the health of both her and her infant. However, health experts generally agree that continuing to breastfeed during this time is not only safe but also beneficial for the baby.
Continuing Breastfeeding
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that mothers should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding or to provide expressed breast milk to their infants, even if they are experiencing flu symptoms. This is because breast milk contains antibodies that can help protect the baby from infections, including the flu. In fact, the act of breastfeeding can provide comfort and nourishment to the infant during a time when they may be more vulnerable.
Hygiene Practices
To minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby, mothers should adhere to strict hygiene practices. This includes thoroughly washing hands before handling the baby or breast milk, and wearing a mask while breastfeeding if the mother is symptomatic. These precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of spreading the flu virus to the infant.
Pumping and Alternative Feeding
If a mother feels too ill to breastfeed directly, it is advisable to pump her breast milk. This allows someone who is not sick to feed the baby, ensuring that the infant still receives the benefits of breast milk without the risk of exposure to the virus. This method can also help maintain the mother’s milk supply during her illness.
Medication Considerations
In terms of treatment, breastfeeding mothers can safely take antiviral medications if prescribed. The CDC recommends the use of antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is considered safe for nursing mothers. While there is limited data on the effects of these medications in breast milk, the benefits of treating the flu generally outweigh the risks.
Staying Hydrated and Rested
Mothers should prioritize their own health by staying hydrated and resting as much as possible. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, herbal teas, or chicken broth, can help alleviate flu symptoms and support recovery. Adequate rest is crucial, as it allows the body to heal and maintain milk production.
Preventive Measures
Looking ahead, the flu vaccine is recommended for breastfeeding mothers and their infants over six months old. Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of contracting the flu and can also help protect the baby through the antibodies passed in breast milk.
In conclusion, while dealing with the flu can be challenging for breastfeeding mothers, it is important to remember that continuing to breastfeed is not only safe but also beneficial for the infant. By following good hygiene practices, considering medication options, and ensuring self-care, mothers can effectively manage their health while providing for their baby’s needs.

Do breastfed babies recover from flu faster?

Yes. Breastfeeding a sick baby gives her a great chance of a speedy recovery, as well as helping to comfort her. Your breast milk contains antibodies, white blood cells, stem cells and protective enzymes that fight infections and may help with healing.

How long is flu contagious?

Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. When am I no longer contagious with the flu? People with flu are no longer contagious if 24 hours have passed without a fever and without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Are breastfed babies safe from the flu?

Influenza is not spread to babies via breastmilk. Rather, people infected with the flu can spread it to others via tiny germ droplets (eg when coughing or sneezing).

Can breastfeeding moms take Tylenol Cold and Flu Severe?

Many medicines are safe to use when you breastfeed. These include: Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Some cold and influenza (flu) medicines.

Can I pass the flu to my newborn?

Your baby can get infected with the flu if they come into contact with someone with the flu, breathes the virus in or touch something (like a toy) that has the flu virus on it and then touches their nose, eyes or mouth (this is less likely).

Will DayQuil dry up breast milk?

Other medications, like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, can hinder milk production and cause irritability or other side effects in babies. Avoid products sold under the brand names Benedryl, Sudafed, NyQuil, and DayQuil while lactating.

What can a breastfeeding mom take for the flu?

For women who are breastfeeding with suspected or confirmed flu, the preferred antiviral medication is oral oseltamivir.

What cold and flu medicine is safe while breastfeeding?

Safe cold medicine while breastfeeding
In general, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, NSAID pain relievers, acetaminophen, and second-generation allergy medications such as Zyrtec and Claritin are considered safe options for treating cold symptoms while breastfeeding. Dr.

Can a baby get flu from its mother?

If a mother is not ill with the flu, breastfeeding is encouraged. If you are sick, you may need to express your milk for use in bottle feedings given by a healthy person. It is unlikely a newborn can catch flu from drinking your breast milk when you are sick. Breast milk is considered safe if you are taking antivirals.

Will my baby get sick if I’m sick and breastfeeding?

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.