Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » colds http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123 Breastfeeding 1-2-3: A Blog for Breastfeeding Tips and Support Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:49:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Mama Needs a Sick Day http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/mama-needs-a-sick-day/ http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/mama-needs-a-sick-day/#comments Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:08:40 +0000 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.breastfeeding123.com/?p=1459 Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

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Whom do I call to notify that I am taking a sick day from this motherhood gig? I know it’s only a cold, and I will get over it eventually, but in the thick of it I find it very difficult! Not only am I sick, but my baby is sick too, and that’s when I am on extra duty, not less! When she wakes, she wants ME — after all, I am her primary caregiver, and her dad just doesn’t have the super ability to comfort her at his breast! If only I could have a day filled with naps (mine, not the baby’s!) alternating with hot baths to steam my sinuses! And then a good night’s sleep!

Don’t get me wrong. I am happy to be breastfeeding during these times. I shudder to think that my baby could be even more sick if she weren’t getting antibodies from my milk. My husband is great (he just got back from doing the grocery run I requested, and he is taking the older girls skiing tomorrow) and I am sure he would stand in for me if he could, but that’s just not how it works!

Do you have any tips for coping when you and your nursling are sick? Do you think breastfeeding makes it easier or harder?

Photo credit: Evah Smit

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]]> http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/mama-needs-a-sick-day/feed/ 6 Breast Milk Clears a Stuffy Nose http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/breast-milk-clears-a-stuffy-nose/ http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/breast-milk-clears-a-stuffy-nose/#comments Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:51:52 +0000 Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor http://www.breastfeeding123.com/breast-milk-clears-a-stuffy-nose/ Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

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It was bound to happen eventually. We made it all the way to the third week of school before my first grader and preschooler brought home the first colds of the season. I reminded my preschooler not to kiss or touch the baby (if anything she gives her a little too much love) but I knew we were history when she accidentally sneezed on Nicole.

At 10 weeks, Nicole is weathering the cold just fine. She’s generally as happy as ever, and she quite enjoys the sneezes! *sneeze* *coo*! The only time she gets upset is when she wants to nurse but she can’t breathe through her nose. The situation got quite desperate when I’d pulled over the car and stopped in a parking lot to nurse. It was 99 degrees Fahrenheit (so much for fall!) on the blacktop and I was alternately trying to nurse her and soothe her by walking around. It was an exercise in frustration for both of us, until I remembered the tip Sinead mentioned on this post about breast milk curing pink eye. She said breast milk can help clear a stuffy nose, much like saline nose drops. I tried it and it worked like a charm! Nicole nursed herself to sleep, I popped her back in her car seat, and we drove on our merry way!

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