•  
  •  

Breast-Feeding a Sick Baby

Topic Overview

If your baby becomes ill or develops a minor viral illness, such as a cold, flu, or diarrhea, it is best to continue your breast-feeding routine. Breast milk provides your baby with the best possible nutrition.

If your baby is too ill to breast-feed, try cup-feeding. With this technique, you feed your baby collected breast milk. Take your baby to visit a health professional if he or she eats very little or not at all.

Even if your baby does not have much appetite or is in the hospital on intravenous (IV) fluids, use a pump or hand express your milk on your normal schedule. This will help to maintain your milk production until your baby's appetite returns.

Related Information

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised April 14, 2011

Last Revised: April 14, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones, MD, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.