Breastfeeding when you are sick

Making food for another human is exhausting enough and requires approximately an extra 500 calories a day. When you are sick, it’s that much harder to make breastmilk. So what can you do?

First, before getting sick, have a little extra in the freezer when possible, even just 1-2 days, which helps with less stress. Having a flange fitting so that your pumping is efficient also helps with this. Also, hand washing is always good! Especially if you have a toddler or school-age kid in the house (they are always bringing home the germs), hand washing for everyone is the first line of defense. Eat a nutrient dense diet, having lots of vitamins and minerals from your food helps keep you healthy.

Once you are sick, taking medicine is sometimes safe, but not always. When in doubt, ask your IBCLC to check on medication and herbal safety before ingesting. Homeopathy is always safe (no known risk in 175 years of use! That includes for pregnancy, newborns, the elderly, and pets!). Since it’s sfe, homeopathy is a great first line of defense, and then you can go up from there. Pharmaceuticals and herbals always need to be checked (that’s what you IBCLC is for!).

Staying hydrated is really important! Drinking hydrating beverages, teas, broth, soups, popsicles, smoothies are all good ways to stay hydrated. Your body needs a ton of fluid when you are sick, and even more to make milk when sick. If you can’t keep anything down, you will get dehydrated, and should go to get an IV for hydration. Not only will it help with milk production, but you will feel much better with some fluids on board.

Worried about baby getting sick? Your baby is exposed to what you are exposed to, but that doesn’ tmean they will get sick. Breastmilk has lot of virus and bacteria fighting properties, so your baby could be totally protected.

Here are some things that can help:

1. Hydration- teas, broth, soups, popsicles, smoothies, electrolytes, coconut water, etc

2. Homeopathy- Ferrum Phos or Belladonna for fever, Mag Phos or Arnica for pain, Carbo veg or Arsnecium for GI upset, Echinecea or Oscillococcinum for colds. There are a lot of possible remedies, these are just a few.

3. Rest!!! This can’t be said enough. When sick your body is trying to recover and doing the dishes, folding the laundry, putting away the toys are all things that can wait (or better yet someone else can do them and take care of you!). Your body can’t do everything at once. It can try to fight this sickness, and try to make milk, but it can’t also be up and taking care of others.

   Getting sick can hurt your supply. If you are worried, reach out today for support (we can meet virtually so you get to stay in bed), we are here to help.