Comments on: Guidance on Swine Flu and Breastfeeding

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:16:46 +0000

Thank you for the replies. My baby is now showing signs of the flu. She has fever and congestion as well as very irritable. She is still nursing and I will keep a close watch on her. My 5 yr old is getting better. The crazy thing about this flu is you get better and then it hits you again.His fever spikes in the evening. He was breastfed until 13 months old and has been a very healthy child. I am sure all this will take time to recover from.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:12:39 +0000

I nursed both my kids while sick with various bouts of stomach flu (for example rotovirus). Neither child ever caught my illnesses. Hopefully, this is also true with influenza. It’s a great idea to give your sick 5 year old expressed milk from you. My thoughts are with you and your family.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:01:21 +0000

Rebecca, I’m sorry to hear you are sick! If you have enough milk and are feeling up to it, you might consider expressing some milk to give to your 5-year-old. It can’t hurt (as I said, as long as you feel up to it, and are getting enough fluids) and might help. I hope you are all well soon.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:32:48 +0000

I have a 4 month old baby girl. I was diagnosed with swine flu 2 days after symptoms began. My 2 year old and husband had just had a week round of it. We didn’t know what it was until I tested positive. Now my 5 year old is positive and very sick with me. My baby is breastfed and has been exposed to all of this as well as my coughs and sneezes(I thought it was sinus)I have been scared of her getting sick but all is well. I pray she continues to resist through the antibodies received.My family advises she be taken out of the house, I am keeping her with me. I hope I am making the right decision.

By: Maria Anzaldua

Maria Anzaldua — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:49:25 +0000

It was real interesting to me reading about breastfeeding while having the flu. Last night as I was running a fever ,just feeling really sick. My husban woke up really freaked out worried about me.My mother in law and him didnt want me to nurse the baby so my husband got up and made him a bottle.In my mind I though it was ok,but really wasn’t sure about It.So I went to the hospital and was told I had the flu. As I felt a little better. I did a little reaserch about breast feeding while having the flu, and Im glad I did cuz i got my answer.Thank you so much!!!!

By: Natalia

Natalia — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:36:28 +0000

I was surfing the web looking for info on breastfeeding while having a cold (which I have at the moment) or having the swine flu. I live in Argentina, and as of today, we have over 200 thousand swine flu infections, and 200+ deaths related to the swine flu (reported deathes, I am sure there must be many more). I have a 5 month old baby boy and I am very scared, but thanks to your article, I am more at ease now. He’s breastfed and hopefully he’ll have extra protection against this nasty virus! Thank you!

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:58:39 +0000

I’m glad you’ve decided to continue through your winter and this swine flu pandemic. I nursed my son until his 2nd birthday back in November. Had I known about the approaching pandemic, I too would have continued breastfeeding him. Alas, he’s already been weaned for over 6 months now. How are you holding up down under? I’m in California, USA. It’s super hot and the middle of summer. The media and public have lost interest in the swine flu. I’ve turned to the internet to stay up to date on this situation.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:39:59 +0000

I was contemplating about breastfeeding my 5mths old baby when I started to feel unwell. Although I was advised by my local breastfeeding association that I should do so because of the antibodies I produce in my milk, but I wasn’t entirely convinced. Now that I have read your article and the feedbacks, I am a lot more confident that continuing breastfeeding is the right thing to do. Thank you.

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:24:37 +0000

I hope you feel better soon! Thanks for taking the time to leave your thanks. Made my day

By: Heather

Heather — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:08:55 +0000

Hiya, have been feeling very ill today, runny nose sore throat and really really exhasted just wanted to say a quick thank you for your info.. I needed to know that continuing to breastfeed what the right thing to do. The last thing I want is for my baby to get poorly