Breast-feeding a sick baby

If your baby becomes ill or develops a minor viral illness, such as a cold, flu, or diarrhea, it is best to continue your breast-feeding routine. Breast milk provides your baby with the best possible nutrition.

If your baby is too ill to breast-feed, try cup-feeding. With this technique, you feed your baby collected breast milk. Take your baby to visit a health professional if he or she eats very little or not at all.

Even if your baby does not have much appetite or is in the hospital on intravenous (IV) fluids, use a pump or hand express your milk on your normal schedule. This will help to maintain your milk production until your baby's appetite returns.