Struggling with breastfeeding while sick? Or wondering if it’s even safe for you to nurse your twins when you’re ill? Find out all you need to know about being sick while breastfeeding twins!
I’m sick while breastfeeding, HELP!
Nobody likes being sick. Even us grown adults want a little TLC from our mom or other caregivers when we’re under the weather.
But now… you’re a mom to two babies who depend on you for their nutrition. Not to mention that you tried everything in your power not to get sick and yet, here you are. Sniffling. Coughing. Sneezing. And all you want in the world is to take a nap.
But alas, you are on call and in demand. What do you do? How can you make it through the next few days or weeks while feeling under the weather? And are you even “allowed” to nurse your babies while you’re sick?
You’re about to get answers to all of these questions, so let’s dive into a twin mom’s quick guide to breastfeeding while sick.
Is it okay to breastfeed my twins if I’m sick?
If you’re a first time mom, or even if this is your 2nd/3rd round of infants, you may be worried about wanting to protect your perfect angels from getting that first bug or bad cold. Perhaps you’re wondering if it’s safe to breastfeed your twinnies while you yourself are sick.
The short answer is YES, in most cases!
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You should of course consult your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and medications (whether prescribed or over-the-counter) you are taking/plan to take. Outside of certain infectious diseases, in all likelihood, it shouldn’t be an issue. According to UNICEF, you are able to breastfeed safely with most common illnesses like the cold or flu with proper hygiene.
I know we’ve all been scarred from watching those “how to wash your hands” videos from back in the pandemic.
But for safety’s sake, here’s some basic guidance on ways you can reduce your chances of passing on your illness to your babies:
1. Handwashing is a must when sick and breastfeeding!
Thoroughly washing your hands helps to limit the spread of diarrheal and respiratory infections.
2. Hand-washing is even more important is whenever meal prep is involved.
When it comes to breastfeeding twins, while you might not be in the kitchen slicing and dicing your infants’ food, YOU are their main meal on wheels. In short, breastfeeding while sick requires the same precautions. That means: Wash your hands before expressing milk or picking up your baby to breastfeed.
3. Depending on what feels right for you, you could also consider wearing a mask.
This could help further prevent the passing of germs (if you’re sneezing or coughing a lot) from you to your twinnies while they’re up close and personal during a feed.
4. As mentioned, talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking while sick.
I remember I had to take an antibiotic after my delivery, and before the pharmacist dispensed my medicine, the lactation specialist was consulted to double check that it was safe (breastfeeding-wise) to take said meds.
Here’s a list of medications that are typically not recommended if you’re nursing:
- Codeine (usually taken for pain and/or diarrhea)
- Certain nasal decongestants that come as sprays or drops as well as decongestants that come in the form of tablets, liquids, or powders
- Aspirin (taken as a pain reliever)
- Certain herbal remedies
In general, common OTC pain meds like acetaminophen and ibuprofen and some antibiotics are safe to take while nursing.
This is just a starting point to give you an idea though. Your healthcare provider can guide you more on what’s safe or not if you need to take medication while you’re sick and nursing.
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Is there any benefit to breastfeeding while sick?
Maybe at this point, you’re thinking, This seems like too much to deal with when I’m sick. Is it even worth all this trouble?
Absolutely no judgment if the answer to that question for you is a no! But whether you’ve been exclusively breastfeeding up to this point or nursing here and there, you should know all the facts.
The answer is yes, there actually are benefits to breastfeeding while sick. While a baby could catch sick germs from you in other ways, they will not become ill through your breastmilk.
In fact, your breastmilk while sick is really powerful because it contains antibodies that can help them have a smaller chance of catching the same virus. How amazing!?
How to actually manage breastfeeding while sick?
So let’s say you’ve gotten the okay from your doctor based on the meds you’re taking and your specific illness and you decide you do want to keep up nursing at least a little while you’re sick.
But how can you actually make nursing feel manageable while you feel like garbage?
Here are a few things you’ll want to consider:
1. Prioritize rest!
As best you can, clear your metaphorical plate of any non-essential responsibilities for the next few days or so (i.e. laundry, cleaning outside of what’s necessary to keep sick germs at bay, non-urgent errands, etc.).
Use any second of extra time that you have to allow your body to rest. This should help you recover from your illness more quickly.
2. Stay hydrated!
Hydration is already super important when you’re nursing, but when your body is fighting something off, it’s even more critical to stay hydrated!
Opt for lots of water, broths, and fluids that have extra electrolytes.
3. Ask for help!
Some parents have more support than others. Whatever your situation may be, ask whoever you can for help with extra tasks that can lighten your load for a few days.
If you have friends or family that live close who can support you. Maybe task them with helping you with dinner or in assisting with the care of your twins or other children. If you’re not exclusively breastfeeding, do more pumping instead and ask your spouse or partner or another family member to help feed the babies.
Make sure if you transition to pumping more that you keep to a similar schedule as before to avoid developing clogged ducts or mastitis.
4. Supplement with formula or look into getting donor milk!
If you find that your breastmilk supply takes a hit when you’re sick and you don’t have much of a freezer stash, you could consider supplementing your baby’s nutrition with formula or apply to receive donor milk.
If you live in North America, you can search for your nearest donor milk bank here. You can also ask your doctor or pediatrician for more guidance on local accredited human milk banks.
Note: It may take some time to go through the application process for donor milk, so this may not be the quickest solution. But if you go through the application process now, perhaps the next time you’re sick this will be a better option!
5. Don’t go cold turkey with nursing or pumping!
When your body feels completely rundown, it may be tempting to completely quit your efforts with breastfeeding or pumping. Avoid doing this!
If you abruptly stop your lactation efforts, you run the risk of developing clogged ducts or mastitis which can not only be painful but cause you to become even sicker.
We also recently polled the Twiniversity community to see what other seasoned twin mamas had to say. Here’s their two cents!
“Pumped instead” – Rebecca
“Got loads of support from my hubby!” – Aga
Final takeaways for breastfeeding while sick
Being sick with newborn or infant twins is rough, and writing this makes my heart ache for you.
Give yourself grace during this time, consult your doctor, ask for help, and realize this is only temporary. I wish you a speedy recovery if you are reading this sick while breastfeeding!
Want more insights on breastfeeding and making it through illness with your twins? Check out these articles too!
- Cold and Flu Season: How to Survive with Sick Kids
- Storing and Reheating Breastmilk: What You Should Know
- Bottle Feeding a Breastfed Baby
Stephanie Miller is the proud mom of twin cyclones Zach and Carter. Every day in the Miller house, you’ll find rooms turned over, floors covered in bits of Lego and puzzle pieces (mind your step), and the sound of “Brown Bear Brown Bear” read over and over, and over again. You’ll typically find her being used as the seat to reading time for the two bookworms, covered in bubble solution as they try to excel in their Bubble Wand skills, or being the voice to command Alexa for their favorite tunes. She and her husband are working on their traveling skills cause she can’t wait to show them the amazing world that is out there for them.
