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All About Breastfeeding Series

NURSING WHILE ILL Now that mothers tend to nurse a bit longer, they may encounter challenges such as illness, either with them or the baby. By OC FamilyPublished: November, 2005

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Now that mothers tend to nurse a bit longer, they may encounter challenges such as illness, either with them or the baby. Unfortunately, mothers can discover illnesses during pregnancy, or shortly after face surgery, but still the baby needs to eat. It is good to know that in most cases of illness and surgery in both mother and baby, breastfeeding can continue. There are lists of medications that can be used while nursing. Modern narcotics work in such a way that breastfeeding only needs to be interrupted for a short time. (As always, first check with your doctor.) There are only a very few, real serious illnesses that prevent mother from giving her milk to her baby. For the baby, breast milk is most of the time the very best digestible food to use while coping with serious conditions (there are exceptions, such as galactosemia, when a baby cannot digest breast milk). Common ailments like the flu or a common cold may even be helped with nursing: A baby will benefit from the antibodies a mother produces shortly after she herself is exposed to the bug. If her child is exposed to the bug first, the general immune properties in the milk help fight off the illness. It is important to know for nursing mothers that in the case of a breast infection, the best remedy next to possible necessary medications is to continue to empty the breast every few hours by nursing or pumping (the milk still can be used for feedings). This will help clear up the infection sooner and prevent the development of abscesses. A mother who wonders whether she can continue to breastfeed when either she or her baby faces illness or surgery, can contact both a lactation consultant and her physician to discuss her options. Working together with both of these professionals can lead to surprising possibilities. ­The Orange County Breastfeeding Coalition (for more information, call 714.242.1633 or visit www.ocbreastfeedingcoalition.org).

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