Four Hours of Nursing - this can't be right

[Writerbird]

Okay, so my mate and I both picked up awful colds (probably at the pediatrician's office during our thirty billion pointless weight checks). My mate's is just a head cold, snuffly and snorty. Mine has had a low grade fever and a horrendous sore throat, and settled in my chest where I have a nice horking cough and phlegm.

Our son has some version of it, despite the lies in my breastfeeding books stating that it was FINE to continue breastfeeding because I was "giving him the antibodies." /sigh, sorry, just upset.

He's being a really good sport about the suction bulb in his nose. He's not even fussing, but he has been nursing for four hours straight. I'm in hell. I haven't had any real nipple pain, but I have it now, obviously. He's not comfort sucking - fingers and pacifiers aren't working. It's the breast or nothing for him. He gulps frantically, eventually settles, and when the nipple slips out of his relaxed mouth, I burp him... and he immediately starts rooting again.

I'm at a total loss. I need to get back to him, but I'll check this in a few hours to see if anyone has any ideas...

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

It is very common for a sick child to want to nurse more. With you being sick to it is possible that your let down is slower and you may have a bit less milk as well. Once you both start feeling better things will go back to normal. I am sorry you feel so bad

Drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush out the germs and keep up the nursing that is what he needs most.

[sarahn4639]

Well it's not a lie, if you were both exposed and he was with you then he was likely also exposed when you were, NOT from your breastmilk!! Your breastmilk WILL help his illness to be shorter and less severe so keep nursing your little guy! It is likely that since he doesn't feel good that he is needing to nurse for comfort as well as nutrition to get better. It is so hard when they nurse like that! My dd used to all the time so I totally understand how hard it is! Make sure that you are taking care of yourself. Drink as much as you can, it will help you both. Don't worry if you need to take some ibuprofen or tylenol to get through this. Just keep doing your best to provide what your son needs and take care of yourself at the same time. Keep doing fluids and food, some Emergen-C should help too. I'd do 4 packets a day until you are all better and then keep up with 2 a day for a while. Just my .02, I hope some of it helps! I hope you all get some sleep tonight!

[annettemarie]

He may also have hit a growth spurt that coincides with his cold. You're doing great, mama. Keep on nursing and keep yourself hydrated. Cuddle up with a baby and a good book and think of it as Mother Nature's way of making sure you get some rest.

[True Blue]

What they said. He didn't catch it from nursing, never stop nursing bc you are ill. And yes, just because he isn't taking a finger or pacifier does not mean it's not comfort nursing. The boobie is better than any substitute!

[StrawberryFields]

Originally Posted by Writerbird

Our son has some version of it, despite the lies in my breastfeeding books stating that it was FINE to continue breastfeeding because I was "giving him the antibodies." /sigh, sorry, just upset.

: : It IS fine to continue breastfeeding when you are sick... in fact, when someone in our house or family gets sick I cross my fingers that I will catch it so that I can pass some antibodies to the baby. But I know how difficult learning to nursing a newborn can be to begin with, let alone while you are sick and he is sick.

My son especially was a super nurser, if he had his way he would have stayed permanently latched on from the moment he was born until the day he graduated high school. Sometimes the days and the hours are long, and frustrating, but all you need to do is follow his lead, stay hydrated and keep nursing. You are doing great!

[CalebsMama05]

I am right where you are...my ds2 is 19.5m/o and thinks he needs to nurse constantly. he is a sick boy...and he loves his mama milk.

[the elyse]

get well soon to all of you!

[Fletchersmama]

Definitely take this time to rest with your little one! It will help you both. My ds still nurses MUCH more when he is sick, and eats a whole lot less food. I am grateful that at five years, I can provide him with what he needs when sick!

In addition to the emergen-c, try echinacea, make sure to wean yourself off of it slowly when feeling better. Your little one will get benefits from echinacea also.

Good luck and hang in there!

[flapjack]

[Jezzy]

I think it is normal too. I haven't been sick and I have nursed for hours and hours on end in the first couple of weeks. It is hard, sorry about the nipple pain.

[lilyblossom]

writerbird - I have no experience with nursing but if I were you, I'd write a quick blurb about how DS wouldn't let go of your nipple to be used against him as a teen. One can never have too much ammo for that challenging age

Hang in there, it'll get better. Try to let your nipples airdry when he comes off, it's supposed to help. OOh, and I read somewhere that if your nipples get really sore, you can intermittentently use nipple shields...but like I said, I have no experience - yet!

[nausicaamom]

s - nothing quite as bad as being sick and marathon nursing. Like all things mom-related, it too shall pass. I know both of my kids tend to push me to the limit but not beyond my breaking point - they always seem to stop just shy of that. Please take care of yourself.

[Writerbird]

Oh, gods, you all are wonderful.

We had another marathon from 1:30-4 AM, but we seem to be moving back towards an hour out of every three.

The bad news is I have bronchitis. The GOOD news is that he gained nearly a freaking POUND in one week, so the pediatrician's office is totally off my back :P

Thank you all so much, I am practically in tears from relief that this is apparently so normal.

[sunkist33]

We're going through the same thing. DD #1 had a bad cold (and she *never* gets sick!) on the day Ocean was born...Ocean is now not only congested, but has the cough, too
I've been doing the saline drops & suction, bucket of water on the radiator (we don't have a humidifier), steam from the shower...
and nursing like crazy!!! The breast milk is the best thing you can do for him...and yes, I think even four hours is within the range of normal. Ocean cluster-feeds for hours and then sleeps for hours. It may also be a growth spurt. Just think, the more they nurse, the more they are building up your milk supply which is a good thing!
Try Lansinoh for the nipples, it's a life-saver! Apply it generously several times a day!
Good Luck!
Stacy

[True Blue]

I"m glad things are going a bit better....and one pound, wow!

[sunkist33]

Originally Posted by Writerbird

Oh, gods, you all are wonderful.

We had another marathon from 1:30-4 AM, but we seem to be moving back towards an hour out of every three.

The bad news is I have bronchitis. The GOOD news is that he gained nearly a freaking POUND in one week, so the pediatrician's office is totally off my back :P

Thank you all so much, I am practically in tears from relief that this is apparently so normal.

Sorry you have bronchitis! What bad timing!
That's awesome that he gained a pound!!!

[eilonwy]

Remember to keep drinking-- he's probably having a harder time with your nutritional status thrown into disarray by the bronchitis.

If it makes you feel better, I'm getting bronchitis, too. The four big kids are getting better, and I am getting sick. On the plus side, I"m pretty damn sure it's viral because I'm currently taking one of the most powerful antibiotics known to man. On the down side, being sick sucks.

[Jezzy]

Wow! a pound! You are doing a fantastic job!

[nausicaamom]

Ditto on the fluids - I was amazed at how quickly my supply tanked after a day of little intake and sweats. Alex cluster-fed for a full day after that until I got rehydrated. Hope you feel better soon and way to go on the weight-gain!