Is it possible to breastfeed a child if the mother has a cold: answer at UNICEF

UNICEF experts told whether it is necessary to continue breastfeeding if the mother has a cold

3 PHOTOS

1. In winter, we are traditionally attacked by viruses. In addition to the coronavirus, the flu now rules the ball. As Olga Golubovskaya, an infectious disease doctor writes on her Facebook page, group A influenza is especially active this season, which is quite difficult to tolerate and very contagious. Do not forget about other viruses. So few people manage to survive the winter without a cold.
She does not bypass nursing mothers. For them, a cold is doubly unpleasant, because experiences are added that it is possible to infect a baby. To prevent this from happening, many mothers even refuse breastfeeding. But to do this is absolutely not worth it. UNICEF experts explained why.

2.  Why is it important to continue breastfeeding when a mother has a cold?
Because breast milk will contain antibodies to the disease that mom picked up. Thus, it will protect the child from infection and will not be a source of infection. True, there are still diseases for which it is worth abolishing breastfeeding. For example, if a mother has tuberculosis, you can feed the baby with expressed milk, but not breastfeed. Also, a contraindication to breastfeeding is:

the active phase of herpes infection,
infection with HIV, Ebola virus, and brucellosis.

3. What are the rules for breastfeeding if the mom is sick
If you are breastfeeding, please read the instructions carefully before taking any medicine. Because there are medications that are used during breastfeeding and which should not be taken during breastfeeding. Before taking the drug, carefully read the instructions for it or consult your doctor. This can be done over the phone or via an online consultation. Also, remember to warn that you are breastfeeding when you are being treated.

4. If you feel too unwell to breastfeed your baby, ask your loved ones for help. Relatives can bring the baby for feeding and remove it after completion. If you have to be in the hospital due to illness, express milk so that relatives can give it to the child who is at home.

If you have had to stop breastfeeding due to illness or medication, it is very important that you continue to express milk according to your usual number of feedings. This will help you resume breastfeeding as soon as you can.

Like every adult, a breastfeeding woman can be vaccinated against various diseases. Vaccination is not a reason to stop breastfeeding.