Some mothers may feel worried when they have to breastfeed their babies when they are not feeling well, because they think that their breast milk can contain disease and can infect the baby. Actually, can you breastfeed when you are sick?
There are some special conditions that prevent a mother from breastfeeding, for example if the child has galactosemia or if the mother has HIV infection, has the Ebola virus, or has herpes simplex virus in the breast area.
The Importance of Continued Breastfeeding When You Are Sick
A mother who is sick may still breastfeed her baby, but provided that she is not experiencing the conditions mentioned above.
From birth to 6 months old, your little one only needs breast milk from Busui, without any additional food or drink. Therefore, breastfeeding must be continued even though Busui's condition is not prime.
Illnesses such as flu, cough, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, or urinary tract infection are not an obstacle to continue breastfeeding your baby. Don't be afraid that the breast milk that Busui has will contain germs or viruses. Breast milk is still safe to give to babies even though they are suffering from these diseases, how come.
Even when Busui is sick, Busui's body will automatically form antibodies against the disease that Busui is experiencing. These antibodies will pass into breast milk, and when your baby feeds, he will be protected from the disease that Busui is experiencing.
If what Busui is worried about is the effect of the medicine Busui is taking due to illness, don't worry, okay? Busui just needs to tell the doctor that Busui is currently breastfeeding. That way, the doctor will give the safest medicine for breastfeeding mothers and babies, and it will not affect the quality of breast milk.
In the midst of a pandemic like today, as long as the conditions are still possible, breastfeeding mothers with COVID-19 don't need to worry when they have to breastfeed their babies. There is no evidence that the Corona virus can be transmitted through breast milk.
In addition, the benefits of continuing to breastfeed the baby far outweigh the risk of developing Corona virus infection while breastfeeding. However, of course, mothers must still pay attention to safe steps to breastfeed their children and apply the COVID-19 health protocol.
Tips for Safe Breastfeeding When You're Sick
Although still recommended, there are some safety tips that need to be considered by nursing mothers who are sick, including:
- Always wash your hands with soap and running water before feeding or handling the baby.
- If there are symptoms of coughing or sneezing, apply cough and sneeze etiquette so as not to transmit the disease to the baby.
- Limit physical contact with the baby, such as not kissing him, and not touching the baby's eyes, nose, or mouth before washing hands.
- Prioritize breastfeeding with expressed breast milk rather than breastfeeding directly.
- Use a mask if you have to be close to the baby.
- Do not forget to clean the breast area with soap and water before feeding the baby.
- Do not share eating utensils, towels, or blankets with your baby when they are sick.
now, now there's no reason for Busui to stop breastfeeding a baby when he's sick, right? In addition to applying the tips above, in order to recover quickly, Busui also has to get plenty of rest, eat nutritious food, and drink lots of water.
If what Busui is worried about is the effect of the medicine Busui is taking due to illness, don't worry, okay? Busui just needs to tell the doctor that Busui is currently breastfeeding. That way, the doctor will give the safest medicine for breastfeeding mothers and babies, and it will not affect the quality of breast milk.
However, if Busui's condition is so weak that he is unable to breastfeed his little one, it's better if Busui delays breastfeeding him directly. Busui can give expressed breast milk and consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
