Key takeaways: For colds, flu, COVID-19, stomach bugs, and most other common illnesses, keep breastfeeding. Your milk contains antibodies that may help protect your baby. Wash hands and consider a mask. Many medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Only a few infections and treatments require stopping or pausing.
Getting sick while breastfeeding can be worrying. The good news is that in most cases, continuing to breastfeed is the best choice.
Why Keep Breastfeeding
- Antibodies: your body makes antibodies to the illness, and some pass into your milk.
- Your baby has likely been exposed by the time you have symptoms.
- Stopping suddenly can cause engorgement and mastitis and lower supply.
Common Illnesses: Keep Feeding
- Colds and flu. If you have flu, the CDC recommends precautions such as handwashing and wearing a mask while feeding.
- COVID-19.
- Stomach bugs. Stay hydrated and wash hands well.
- Mastitis. Continue feeding from the affected breast.
- Urinary tract infections.
From the author
From First Breath to First Birthday is my month-by-month guide to your baby’s first year, written as a NICU and postpartum nurse. If you want feeding help you can flip to in the middle of the night, my book walks you through feeding month by month, from the very first latch to the first birthday.
Medications
Many common medications are compatible with breastfeeding, including:
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
- Many antibiotics.
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for flu.
Use caution with: decongestants like pseudoephedrine, which may lower supply, and combination cold medicines with many ingredients. Check each medicine with your doctor, pharmacist, or the LactMed database.
When Breastfeeding May Need to Stop or Pause
According to the CDC, these are rare:
- HIV infection in the U.S. (guidance is evolving; talk with your doctor about current recommendations).
- HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 infection.
- Suspected or confirmed Ebola.
- Untreated brucellosis.
- Active, untreated tuberculosis (expressed milk can often be given).
- Herpes lesions on the breast (feed from the other side, cover lesions, and discard milk from the affected side until healed).
- Some medications and treatments, such as certain chemotherapy and radioactive treatments.
Taking Care of Yourself
- Drink fluids and eat what you can.
- Rest and get help with baby care.
- Wash hands often.
- Consider a mask for respiratory illnesses.
Call your doctor if: you have a high fever, can’t keep fluids down, have signs of dehydration, feel very unwell, or have breast redness with fever. Call your baby’s doctor if your baby develops symptoms, especially fever under 3 months.
The Bottom Line
In most illnesses, keep breastfeeding. Check medications, practice hygiene, and rest.
Want more support for your baby’s first year? My book, From First Breath to First Birthday, is available on Amazon.
Related Articles
- COVID-19 in Infants
- Medications and Breastfeeding: How to Check What’s Safe
- Flu in Babies: Prevention and Warning Signs
- Signs of Dehydration in Infants
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breastfeeding: maternal or infant illnesses; contraindications to breastfeeding. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding
- National Library of Medicine. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
- Sachs HC; Committee on Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013;132(3):e796-e809.
- Meek JY, Noble L; Section on Breastfeeding. Policy statement: breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057988.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
