(The video version of this post is in the super VIP tier bonus folder for March now. Pics for lower tiers. )
Did you know that breastmilk can help sense and detect pathogens that your child has been exposed to? Did you know that breast-feeding your baby or child when they are sick is extremely beneficial? From protective enzymes to stem cells and white blood cells, breastmilk is a powerhouse superfood.
Not only is it beneficial to breast-feed your baby when they are sick, it is recommended to breast-feed your baby when they are sick to help them heal faster and possibly even prevent them from getting very sick in the first place.
In my experience my breast-fed child who gets breastmilk more often actually got sick days after my older child who doesn’t breastfeed as often. They were exposed to the same cough germs on the same day.
My older child had a longer fever and worse cough as well during this sick week once again.
I encouraged her to drink more breastmilk during this time and they are healing up quite nicely.
The only obstacle I face breast-feeding my babies when they are congested is that they always have to come up for more air which can stop the flow and possibly not empty the rest completely so it is recommended to counteract with pumping sessions when the child is sick to keep up breastmilk supply.