The peds office said this...really?

[71newmom]

My 6 month old is EBF and he has been having congestion for over a month now where I need to suction him frequently and I can hear it all rattling around when he nurses. Last week they prescribed amoxicillan for a sinus infection after ruling out other causes. We did the antibiotic and I saw a bit of improvement, although not 100%. I called them back and spoke to the nurse, because he still has symptoms. She actually told me to increase clear liquids like pedialyte and juice, rather than to nurse more, because milk can cause more phlegm and mucus production. I told her that I agree that milk can do this, but that breast milk is not a dairy product and was not the same as dairy milk. She kept insisting that breast milk can contribute to mucus production. I need opinions because I personally think this is just incorrect. I was never too impressed with any of the triage nurses at his ped office, but we see the ped in 2 days for his 6 month check, and she is really good.

[LionessMom]

the composition of your breast milk changes to suit your child. even day to day. when it is really hot out and you sweat your milk turns to more of a gatorade. so i would say to bf as much as possible and cut out dairy in your own diet.

[isabchi]

Mucus is relate to pasteurized cows milk..... Then, you're right!..
You can boost you own inmune system (zinc,Vitamin c, etc) and bring that through you milk for you little one.

[Sharon, RN]

My 8 1/2 month old is just getting over a cough that lasted for at least 3 weeks, if not a month.

I would not replace bm with juice or pedialyte, as they are not nearly as nutritious as bm. If your LO is fighting off something, he needs your bm. I do not believe that there have been any conclusive studies about milk=congestion, but whatever studies have been done have focused on cow's milk, no breast milk. I know people that are sensitive to dairy report increased congestion after dairy, probably from a histamine response.

Generally speaking, bm is considered a clear fluid. Reducing bm and increasing pedialyte and juice (which is sugar and salt water, basically) is not going to help, but I think you already know that.

Have you changed the filters in your HVAC system? Could he be reacting to something else in the environment?

I hope he feels better soon, and good luck mama!

[Burnindinner]

Huh, I have never heard of this. I would also wonder if it's related to your having cow's milk as well. No other new allergens? How is the pollen in your area, etc? I'd look at those versus YOUR milk causing congestion! OK the more I think about this, the weirder it is.

[hillymum]

Milk of any kind has nothing to do with mucus production!

You might try googling for more information and presenting it to the manager at your doctors office and recommend the nirse be updated!

[flavorfull1]

I would wonder more if maybe there is some silent reflux that could be irritating the mucus membranes. DS gets really stuffy and irritated when his reflux is acting up, it is almost the only sign. Definitely would not cut out breast milk, that is crazy! And no it does not have the same mucus thickening/increasing effect that cow's milk has. If it is reflux, maybe dairy should be cut out of your diet or if you want to use a med, they could give something for that. Keep nursing mama!

[2boyzmama]

When you suction his nose, do you get mucus? Because sometimes that "rattly" noise isn't mucus, it's just inflammation of the nose causing the airway to be smaller and air to be more noisy when moving through it.

In that case, stop suctioning, and drip some breastmilk in his nose. Breastmilk has anti-inflammatory properties (plus antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal) so it will help soothe things in there, and help him breathe easier. Think of it like a saline spray, but with healing properties.

And no, breastmilk will not increase mucus production. It is casein-based, but it's not the same casein and lactose in cow milk.

Does your LO show other signs of being ill? Or just the congestion? If it's just congestion, I'd be suspicious of allergies. Any new foods recently? High pollen count? New family pet? Some tree or flower near your house in bloom? That's much more likely.