I don’t know what to do. It's flu season, and I am breastfeeding a 4-month-old baby. I am concerned about giving my baby the flu. Should I stop breastfeeding? Could my breast milk help my baby during flu season?
Kayla
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| Photo from Boldsky |
Dear Kayla,
Don’t stop. Continue to breastfed your baby. Your milk is custom–made to protect your baby from infections and fight germs that are around you (even if they are brand new germs like the H1N1 influenza virus.) If a mother herself becomes ill, she should continue to breastfeed. By the time a mother first begins showing symptoms of flu, her baby has already been exposed. The good news is that when these symptoms first appear, the mother's body is already producing antibodies to help her get well. These antibodies pass through your milk to protect your baby as well.
Research shows that exclusive breastfeeding makes a significant impact on infants' health, particularly important during flu season when colds and respiratory infections are common. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life helps reduce respiratory problems (including the flu) and complications of the flu such as diarrhea and pneumonia.
Also breastfeeding is critically important during the first 6 months when babies are too young to receive a flu vaccine. It is the only way to improve babies ability to fight flu infection. As your baby becomes older and explores his world, he will be exposed to even more germs. Mothers who continue breastfeeding provide ongoing protection to their babies.
The WIC team is available to help you and support your choice to breastfeed your baby .
Sincerely,
Your Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
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