Cold and Flu

What does one do when mom has a cold or the flu and is breastfeeding?

The short answer is to continue breastfeeding.  As mom is fighting the virus, antibodies are being created.  Those antibodies are passed to the baby through the milk.  If the baby gets sick, antibodies are already on hand to help the baby fight the illness.  Generally speaking, breastfed babies are sick less often and when they do get sick are sick for shorter periods of time.

While sick, please remember to take basic sanitary precautions.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Cough and sneeze into your elbow.  Remind others to do the same.

During cold and flu season, don't allow anyone with symptoms to hold your baby.  Remind everyone, healthy or otherwise, to wash their hands before holding your baby.