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Breastfeeding a Sick Baby

Table of Contents

Overview

Your baby may have signs of a minor illness, such as cold symptoms or mild diarrhea. If so, it's best to keep breastfeeding. Breast milk provides your baby with the best possible nutrition.

If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, try cup-feeding. With this technique, you feed your baby collected breast milk. Take your baby to a doctor if your baby eats very little or not at all.

If your baby isn't very hungry or is in the hospital and can't be breastfed, you can pump or hand express your milk. Do this during the times when you normally breastfeed. This will help you maintain your supply of milk.

Credits for Breastfeeding a Sick Baby

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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