You’ve done it all – watched breastfeeding videos, seen lactation consultants, and worked hard to achieve your breastfeeding relationship. Life then throws you a curveball, and you come down with an illness that has you feeling less than stellar. Though you know breastfeeding is beneficial, are there times where it isn’t always best for mom and baby? Though continuing to breastfeed when mom has a cold or flu passes vital antibodies onto baby and lessens the chances that he or she will contract the illness, is this the case with every virus out there? Are there times when breastfeeding is not best, and the benefits of breastfeeding are trumped by the risks of sharing the illness?
These are just some of the many questions new moms ask themselves when it comes to breastfeeding through an illness.
With the hot topic of the Zika virus on the rise, many breastfeeding moms are worried about how contracting such an illness would impact their nursing relationship. Read on to educate yourself on when it’s beneficial to keep breastfeeding, or when your nursing relationship should cease temporarily or altogether.
When a nursing mother gets sick, it is very rare that the illness should be one that stops her from continuing to breastfeed. There are several diseases that make stopping breastfeeding a better option than continuing, such as HIV and HTLV-1. During other traditional and common illnesses such as colds, flus, stomach viruses, and even when a mom is febrile or has mastitis, continuing to breastfeed is the best thing she can do for her baby. Most medications are safe for breastfeeding, and most illnesses have alternative medications that are recommended for nursing moms. Breastfeeding through an illness will significantly decrease the risk of your baby contracting the illness, too – those valuable antibodies are passed right on!
With the threat of Zika virus on the rise in the United States, many pregnant women find themselves afraid of what this could mean for themselves and their unborn children. Many wonder if insect repellent is safe in pregnancy or if there are more natural ways to prevent mosquito bites. Many nursing mothers also wonder if contracting Zika would be a cause for concern when it comes to their nursing relationship. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
“To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.“
The CDC also recommends using insect repellant in pregnancy, as it is deemed safe. The benefits also outweigh the risks of contracting Zika.
When it comes to illnesses, many breastfeeding moms also wonder if certain medications are contraindicated while nursing. The good news is that only a few medications pose a clinically significant risk to breastfed babies. Antineoplastics are drugs which prevent the growth of tumors and are not considered safe for use while breastfeeding. Other categories of medications that should be taken with caution include several:
- Anticonvulsants
- Ergot alkaloids
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Levels of amiodarone, cyclosporine, and lithium
Pertaining to over the counter medications that help moms through typical illnesses, most are considered safe for nursing mothers to use, especially in occasional doses, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. There are also many antibiotics and pain relief drugs that are compatible with breastfeeding.
It is rare that a breastfeeding mom should stop feeding her baby through an illness or when taking a specific medication. However, there are certainly times when it is warranted, even if they are not common. Nursing mothers are always encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns with their clinicians. It is always best to call your OB or primary care physician if you have any questions about the safety of medications and supplements.
Have you experienced any concerns while breastfeeding and falling ill that it may force you to stop breastfeeding all together? Many moms think that maybe the only option but in those severe cases, pumping and dumping is a great option, although the thought of throwing away your much hard earned breast milk may not seem like the best idea, it will allow you to keep up your supply while you recover or stop taking the medication.
