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thread: Sickness and breastfeeding...

  1. #19
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Newport, VIC
    1,885

    It's so hard when your little one is sick. My second son constantly had a cold on and off from about 2 weeks until just now (he's 3.5 months). He generally picked it up from his older brother who is nearly 2. I'm hoping with the change in the weather it will mean less colds going around and less chance of getting sick.

    Regardless of how you feed your children they will get sick. Especially your littlest who very little immunity. It is absolutely worth sticking with breastfeeding as it's a good way not only to feed your child but to comfort them when sick.

    I have also made up my own saline solution when I ran out of Fess. Worked fine.

    I hope your little one gets a break soon.

  2. #20
    2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.

    Apr 2006
    Winter is coming
    5,000

    Off topic, but interesting...

    I was told by a midwife to kiss my baby often, especially around her mouth. Then if they been exposed to any germs, the mum picks them up as well and starts making antibodies but probably won't get sick herself since she has a developed immune system. Then the antibodies in the breast milk make it easier for bub to fight it off/get better faster. Apparently it is the reason for the strong urge to kiss our babies

    Hope your bubba feels better soon xx

  3. #21
    Registered User

    Jul 2008
    summer street
    2,708

    both mine have been sick straight after birth. Barbs post points out everything you need to know, but just wanted to reiterate that breastfeeding won't magically cure a cold, but it does help reduce length and severity as well as providing long term benefits. Your body also has to be exposed to produce the antibodies required, so kiss that baby!!

  4. #22
    Registered User

    Nov 2009
    Scottish expat living in Geelong
    5,572

    From personal experience my DS2 caught a nasty cold when he was a few days old too. It was a bit of a nightmare at the time but he soon got over it and constant breastmilk seemed to really comfort him. He has rarely been sick since then though

    My boytwin was also sick at less than 2 weeks old, although much more severely. I continued breastfeeding him throughout his time in hospital and the doctors were astonished how fast he recovered (from almost needing ventilated, to going home within I think it was 7 days). I chose to be grateful that breastmilk helped him recover faster, rather than let him down in his getting ill in the first place.

  5. #23
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    140

    After your other thread about her being unsettled and lots of feeding I just wanted to mention this. I also thought DS had a cold in the first few weeks of his life. Took him to the DR who even gave us antibiotics after a couple of repeat visits. Once he had finally been diagnosed with reflux at 6 weeks and I did some research I realised that the cold like symptoms he had like the runny nose and cough were actually related to reflux inflaming his sinuses and not because he was sick with a virus. So if there is no temperature and it doesn't resolve it may be something to think about. Sorry to keep going on about the whole reflux thing as I know you went through it with your other DD but just though it was worth mentioning.

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