Breastfed infants getting sick - what are the chances?

[saffrongirl]

I'm feeling a little paranoid and need reassurance. My mom and daughters and I went on a road trip and during the course of it my mom got sick. I am currently sitting in a hotel with my mom and my girls and she has a 101 degree fever. She's been holding my 6 week old baby this whole past week and interacting with her, etc. Baby is EBF and I've been taking garlic and extra vitamin C for a few weeks now just due to the flu around us in the world. My MW told me at my 4 week appt that it's rare for breastfed infants to get sick and I'm trying to hold onto that. Can someone reassure me? The thought of a sick newborn is just awful.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It is pretty uncommon but still very possible. The good thing is when they do get sick it usually isnt as bad because of the antibodies in your milk.

I hope your lo dosnt catch it.

[thefreckledmama]

Crashing....When my youngest was 6 weeks old my aunt came to town, 48 hours after arriving, she went to urgent care and was diagnosed with strep throat. She had been in close quarters with us, holding the baby constantly during the time before she was diagnosed, and the baby never fell sick.

[Bokonon]

I don't know how rare it is - babies get sick, even breastfed ones. Because you are breastfeeding, it is less likely that your LO will get sick, and if she does, it will probably be less severe than whatever she's been exposed to. There are no guarantees, but keep doing what you're doing, and nurse nurse nurse.

FWIW, the day after DD came home from the NICU, DS came home from school with a fever, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills, stomach ache, etc. He had been symptom-free the day before, and even came to the NICU to see her (we didn't know she was going to be discharged that day). He held her when she got home, and we didn't keep them separated because he wasn't sick, until the next day. DH took him to urgent care, and he tested negative for strep and diagnosed with "probably a virus" (in hindsight it was probably H1N1).

We kept him away from DD for the next couple of days, and when he was better, he went back to school. But I had to pick him up because he started throwing up, and I had no help at home anymore, so couldn't keep him too far away from DD because I had to take care of them both until DH came home from work. Then DH and I got sick and both vomited for about 10 hours, all while taking care of DD because I had no help. She never got sick - not a single symptom!

[Lovinmum]

My DS1 is two years old, nursed to 22 months and has literally never had a cold. Go go boob juice! Of course it is possible and sort of depends on the strength of your immune system but it is rare. :

[skydancer]

My 3 older kids have all been sick recently (fever and colds, etc.) and fortunately our EBF little girl has not caught it from any of them, so I think nursing does do a lot to prevent our babies from catching most of the sicknesses around them.

On the other hand, My older daughter had RSV at 3 weeks when she was a baby. She was also EBF, so it can happen. I'd just keep a close eye on your little one and know that you are doing everything you can to help her avoid this illness. Good luck!

[DeChRi]

My first was EBF and didnt ever get sick. My 2nd was EBF and had a couple things that manifested as minor colds in her first couple years. I agree that they do get sick, but in my experience it is many times much less severe. My whole family had the flu last month, and my almost 2 yr old that still nursed a few times a day had only 1 day that she sniffled and that was it.

[mysticmomma]

my 4 week old is sick right now with a cold, congestion, fever, stuffy nose, cough type thing. It sucks a lot.

[BekahMomToOliver]

I just realized, DS never got sick until he weaned himself. Now he seems to catch everything One more point for extended bfing!

[acemama]

It's rare, but my EBF 6 week old is just getting over being ill. I admit it scared me! I've never had anyone this young get sick. He was running 102+ and congested. We've had H1N1 (supposedly) in my house. Baby seems to be doing much better now. He did better than my older kiddos Just keep nursing and watching your baby. Chances are baby will not get anything.

[masja]

DD is 7 months EBF (a few solids, but not much) and was just in the emerg today...they suspect RSV, but could be H1N1 but won't know until the results are back.
My son was EBF too and got sick a bit when he was smaller too. I think some kids are just luckier than others

[lisa_nc]

My husband came home from Iraq on R&R when the baby was four weeks old. Of course, he brought something from the plane. We all got sick for a couple days, including the baby who is EBF. He was fine though.

[lisa_nc]

Totally just realized this was an old thread.

[darcytrue]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

I don't know how rare it is - babies get sick, even breastfed ones. Because you are breastfeeding, it is less likely that your LO will get sick, and if she does, it will probably be less severe than whatever she's been exposed to.

I agree. My DD got her first cold at 5 weeks old. She didn't have symptoms more than 48 hours though and they were never that bad.

[Tashakittie]

so interesting. ds1 got sick tge 1st time when he was 13 mos, still bfing around the clock. just a little cold, and it was over quickly. ds2 now 3mos, has had a cold for 10 days, and was diagnosed rsv. ebf, too! i so did not expect this!