Breastfeeding a Sick Baby

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 or midwife 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.