Breastfeeding a sick baby

It is best to continue breastfeeding  your child with signs of a minor infection such as cold or mild diarrhea. Breastfeeding is the best nutrition you can give your child. The antibodies in the mother’s breastmilk are very beneficial to the baby’s immune system. Breastmilk is easily digested and can help the child recover quickly. The more you breastfeed the child, the faster the baby will recover and the more her immune system will build up.

If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, try cup feeding. This technique is a good way of providing breastmilk to babies  unwilling or unable to breastfeed or drink from a bottle. With this technique you feed your baby collected breastmilk.

If your baby doesnt have much appetite or is in the hospital on IV fluids, it is important to express milk using a pump or your hand on your normal schedule. This will help you maintain your milk production until the baby starts feeding again.

 
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