Breastfeeding while sick: Can I breastfeed if I have a cold?

Should I breastfeed if I have a cold? It’s a question that countless mums have asked in the past, and one that you might feel a little nervous about. You don’t want to stop feeding your baby, but is it ok to breastfeed while sick? To help you make the right decision for you and your little one, we’ve put together all the information you need. Find answers to ‘can I breastfeed if I have a cold?’ and what to do if you’re simply too unwell in this guide.

Can I breastfeed if I have a cold?

 

If you’re wondering ‘should I breastfeed if I have a cold?’, you’ll be happy to hear it’s (typically) perfectly safe to do so.

Breastfeeding while sick won’t negatively affect your baby. No evidence shows a virus can infect your child through breastmilk, and your cold will only spread through the typical routes of sharing an illness, including skin-on-skin contact and coughing.¹

 

In fact, breastfeeding could do quite the opposite of making your baby sick! Your milk transfers antibodies, helping protect your child against illness and supporting their immune system.² This gives you the OK for breastfeeding while ill with a cold, flu, or COVID-19.

 

But what about your own health? While nursing while sick is fine for your baby, if you’re too ill to breastfeed, it’s important you look after yourself. We’ll take a look at alternatives to being sick and breastfeeding later in the article.

Take necessary precautions if you decide to continue nursing while being sick

 

While the answer to ‘is it ok to breastfeed while sick?’ is yes, there are still some precautions you can take to keep your baby safe. Here are some tips to look after your baby when breastfeeding while having a cold:

 

• Always wash your hands thoroughly before nursing while sick
  
• Try to avoid sneezing and coughing as much as possible
  
• Wear a face mask
  
• Avoid kissing your baby on the face
  
• Monitor your baby for signs of a cold, like sneezing or a blocked nose

 

Thinking about taking medication to ease your illness? Choose a medicine that’s safe to use while breastfeeding. Paracetamol is a good choice that’s generally considered okay to use for breastfeeding mums, as long as you’re not taking any other medication. Ibuprofen can be a little trickier, so always speak to your GP or another health professional before using.³

These are medications to avoid when breastfeeding while ill:

 

• Ingestible decongestants
  
• Nasal decongestants
  
• Aspirin
  
• Herbal remedies

 

For more information on medications, speak to your midwife, health visitor, or GP to make sure you and your little one are safe and can recover swiftly.

Alternatives to breastfeeding while sick

 

Being sick and breastfeeding isn’t always ideal for mums. If you’re feeling very run down and are too weak to nurse, consider using a breast pump to express milk and feed your baby with a bottle instead.

 

The Philips Avent Electric Breast Pump is the easiest way to pump, with a cordless, hands-free design that lets you sit back and rest while unwell. The Natural Motion Technology provides stimulation to get your milk flowing, too, and 97% of mums agree that it works effectively.

 

Worried about your milk flow? Certain illnesses, like COVID-19, can lead to a decrease in your supply – an added concern you don’t need on your mind when breastfeeding while ill.⁴ For practical advice to maintain your flow, read these tips on how to increase milk supply .

Storing and feeding expressed milk

 

If you haven’t expressed milk before, it can be a little daunting. To help you get started, here are some tips to express, store your milk, and continue breastfeeding while sick:

 

• Express regularly, following a schedule to maintain a good flow of milk
  
• Store milk in sterilised containers or milk bags
  
• Label your bottled milk with the time and date it was expressed
  
• Refrigerate your milk immediately after expressing
  
• You can also freeze your milk if you’re expressing more than your baby needs

 

Pair your pump with the Philips Avent Natural Response Bottle, which follows your baby’s natural rhythm by only releasing milk when they drink. Let your baby pause, swallow, and breathe for a calmer way to feed.

When to seek advice about breastfeeding while ill

 

In most cases, you won’t need to speak to a professional about breastfeeding while having a cold. You should only contact your GP or midwife if you need advice on medication, if you’re having unusual symptoms, or if you’re struggling to bottle feed your baby.

 

For anyone wondering ‘can you breastfeed while sick’, it generally isn’t something to worry about. If anything, all those antibodies are likely to give your baby a boost! So, keep expressing, use a pump when you’re feeling too ill, and get plenty of rest so that you can be back on your feet as soon as possible. Get well soon!