Breastfeeding is an essential component of strengthening the health and immunity of the baby. But many women begin to worry if they suddenly have a fever - will it hurt. Then the question arises about the benefits and necessity breastfeeding child with mother's illness.
Before deciding whether to breastfeed if you have a fever, determine the source of your unwellness.
- A low temperature is often caused by stress and ovulation, which does not affect the process of breastfeeding.
- Some of the factors that cause fever come down to viral and infectious diseases. ARI and SARS are often accompanied by cough, runny nose and a slight increase in body temperature. However, it is quite difficult for mothers who are at home to pick up an infection.
- When the temperature rises during the first weeks after childbirth, the likelihood of postpartum inflammatory problems is high. Following the birth of a baby, an exacerbation of old chronic diseases can also occur.
- Among postpartum diseases leading to fever, mastitis is the most common. It is a disease of the mammary glands that develops due to bacteria. The occurrence of mastitis is facilitated by changes in the nipples, cracks, lactostasis, problems with endocrine system, skin diseases.
- When more than a month has passed since the birth of a child, the temperature may occur during a simple food poisoning.
If a woman has a temperature of up to 38 ° C, then there is no particular danger, and in this situation it is allowed to breastfeed. When the heat rises to 39-40 ° C, the milk is likely to change. So that the baby does not refuse food, you need to bring down the temperature or consult a doctor.
The need for breastfeeding
Today, many doctors admit the possibility of breastfeeding a baby even if elevated temperature in a nursing mother. They justify it as follows:
Cases of breast failure
The temperature does not harm the feeding of the baby and the health of the mother herself. However, there are situations in which you should stop feeding due to fever:
- when the temperature got above 39°C and you didn't bring it down in time, the taste properties of the milk probably changed. Take a short break so that the child does not give up milk for good;
- if fever is associated with serious illness of the mother, feeding should be abandoned. Such diseases include problems with the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs;
- A common way to improve is to take antibiotics. If a woman is being treated with strong medications, breastfeeding is unacceptable, the risk of worsening the condition of both the child and the mother.
Treatment
In order not to interrupt feeding, it is necessary to reduce the high temperature and quickly. It is important to get rid of bad health in the following ways:
- take medicines that do not affect milk and do not harm the baby when breastfeeding. In most cases, these are drugs containing paracetamol and ibuprofen;
- use candles based on antipyretic components. They dont have side effects harmful to milk;
- A great way to heal is to let the body handle itself. If the temperature is not more than 38 ° C, just try to wait a bit for the antibodies to come to grips with the virus;
- if you have acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections, remember to drink large amounts. Warm tea with lemon, fruit drinks and ordinary water. However, in the case of mastitis with liquid, you need to be careful, as it stimulates the flow of milk to the breast.
Summing up
The above advice and opinions of doctors formulate the following conclusions for us:
- in most cases, breastfeeding at a temperature is not only possible, but also beneficial;
- in the event of a fever, the main task is precise definition his reasons;
- exceptions for feeding are serious illnesses, very high body temperature and taking many drugs;
- for the thermometer to show accurate results, measure the temperature after feeding or pumping, and preferably 30 minutes after these procedures;
- if the body temperature has risen only slightly, let the body heal itself. This will boost immunity.
So that breastfeeding at a high temperature does not cause a deterioration in the health of the mother and child, simple rules should be followed.
- bring down the heat better means based on paracetamol. Medicines containing aspirin are prohibited while breastfeeding.
- Continuing to breastfeed a child with viral diseases, approach the baby only in a respiratory mask.
- If you suspect food poisoning, then you need to visit a therapist. In case of occurrence additional symptoms in the form of pain Bladder or lower back, an appointment with a urologist is required;
- Temperatures above 38 degrees can lead to germs entering the milk. It is better to stop feeding for a while so as not to affect the health of the baby (for example, babies may experience diarrhea).
- If the amount of milk has decreased and the temperature has increased, there is no reason to worry too much. With the weakening of the body, lowering the level essential substances this is a fairly common occurrence.
Breastfeeding for a baby, no doubt, is much better than artificial. However, it happens that a young mother doubts whether it is possible to breastfeed a child? Is it safe? It is about a situation where in a breastfeeding mother rises temperature. Can whether to continue breastfeeding and treatment? "Mom's cheat sheet" will tell you.
Situation No. 1: I am breastfeeding, the temperature has risen to 37-38. What should I do?
The first thing a mother who is breastfeeding a baby needs to do is find out the cause of the fever. Feel free to call the doctor at home. Modern mothers are used to searching for information on the Internet. Well, while the ambulance is coming, let's try to determine together what's wrong with you. So, temperature 37- 38 in a nursing mother may occur for the following reasons:
1. Nursing mother got sick with a cold or SARS . Most common cause why the temperature rises, exactly up to 37-38 degrees (and even higher). And here it is curious to know such a feature female body: Together with milk, the baby will receive the mother's immune system antibodies, and nutrients to help the child overcome colds. That is, it is possible and even necessary to breastfeed a child with a cold and SARS, experts say.
How to treat yourself and protect the child from the disease?
Antiviral antibodies in the human body are produced on the 5th day of illness. That is, the body is able to cope with this disease itself. Mom's task:
- eat according to your appetite
- drink a lot,
- ventilate the room often (viral particles lose their activity in clean, cool, humid air),
- irrigate the nasal mucosa saline solutions.
And to protect the child from infection with the virus, it is recommended:
- breastfeeding with a mask
- regularly irrigate the baby's nasal mucosa with saline solutions or droplets (they are now available even for babies marked 0+),
- ventilate the room and wet cleaning rooms (viruses are known to love dust).
- do not stop breastfeeding the baby so that, together with milk, the baby receives immunity to mother's illness.
Antiviral and antibacterial drugs are not allowed while breastfeeding. If the mother does not accept them, you can continue to feed the baby. Then the mother's milk, which produces antibodies to viral infections will protect the baby. If the mother uses drugs that are contraindicated during breastfeeding, you should stop breastfeeding at the time of taking and switch to the mixture. The transition must be very careful not to cause allergic and other adverse reactions and the baby.
If during the illness the baby is transferred to artificial feeding, it can be bad for the mother. If the breast milk is not sucked out by the baby, the young mother may develop mastitis, or the milk will slowly disappear. An infant who will be bottle fed may not want to breastfeed again later. In this case, if the mother has breast milk, the child will have to be transferred to an artificial mixture.
Thus, if the mother has a fever due to a cold, then she can breastfeed the baby.
2. Lactostasis (milk stasis), mastitis second most common reason why the temperature of the nursing mother has risen. Is it possible continue in this situation. breastfeed the baby?
Even if the baby suckles well at the breast, often too much milk can be produced at the beginning of lactation. Red spots appear on the chest, milk does not flow well from the chest, it becomes full and hard, like a stone. Body temperature often rises to 37 - 38 degrees. Milk collects in the lactation channels, presses, blockage, stagnation occurs.
It is very important to put the baby to the breast often so that there is no stagnation. And if stagnation has formed and all the signs are obvious, it is necessary to feed more often than usual, about once every 1 to 2 hours. In this case, the position from under the arm is ideal, when the baby massages that side of the chest, where stagnation most often occurs. The baby will help the mother recover.
Between feedings, it is useful to apply a chilled leaf of white cabbage to the breast. It's old and effective method relieve swelling and inflammation in the chest. The sheet is torn off and lightly beaten with a kitchen hammer and put into a bra. After 1.5 - 2 hours, the leaf is removed before feeding. More details in the article.
Mothers often take a rise in temperature with lactostasis for ARVI or flu, they are slow to see a doctor, which only aggravates the situation.
Meanwhile, if the stagnation does not go away, the redness and temperature do not subside, this can lead to mastitis. And this is a more serious and painful problem. In fact, mastitis is a neglected lactostasis (milk stasis). That is why it is so important to consult a doctor at the first signs of milk stagnation. In advanced cases, the doctor will prescribe the necessary antibiotics that are safe for the baby and compatible with breastfeeding.
And against pain and temperature, paracetemol, simple and safe during breastfeeding, will help. Experts believe that the composition of milk after taking it remains the same.
So, with stagnant milk, you can breastfeed the baby, since the milk ducts must be emptied regularly. But this is possible only if there is no purulent discharge from the chest. After feeding, the remaining milk must be expressed.
3. Stress, menstruation. Sometimes it happens that a young mother's temperature rises against the background of stressful situation or on the background of menstruation. In this case, you can also continue feeding infant mother's milk. But if the mother's temperature rises above 39 degrees Celsius, then it must be brought down. After all mother's milk at a high temperature, the mother “burns out”, and the baby refuses it. The baby, along with mother's milk, passes and medications, therefore, antipyretic drugs containing aspirin cannot be taken by mom - aspirin cannot be taken by babies. To reduce the temperature, a nursing mother should use drugs only based on paracetamol.
4. Herpes. On the lips, for example. What to do? Try not to touch the child with this place, wash your hands more often, protect the baby from contact with the focus of the disease.
Situation number 2: the nursing mother is seriously ill, the temperature. Can antibiotics be taken?
1. The cause of the temperature can be diseases that require treatment antibiotics. Such diseases pose a danger to both the mother and the child. The attending physician, if the disease has just begun or its course is quite mild, may prescribe antibiotics to the mother that will not disrupt the process. breastfeeding. In modern medicine, there are a number of antibiotics that are safe for breastfeeding. Only the attending physician has the right to prescribe them. Some types of anesthesia are also compatible with breastfeeding. In any particular case, whether the mother can continue to breastfeed if the temperature rises and any serious illness is detected, the doctor should decide.
2. Mom is seriously ill and cannot breastfeed the baby for some time. What to do in this case? If the mother is in the hospital or undergoing chemotherapy, you need to wait until the course is over. To prevent the milk from disappearing and there was no stagnation, it is important to express milk regularly. Then it will not disappear and later it will be possible to return to feeding.
There are situations when a nursing mother needs special treatment that is incompatible with breastfeeding. The doctor prescribes medicine and recommends switching to artificial feeding. You don't have to feel like a criminal. The child needs healthy mom so it's best to follow your doctor's advice. Children grow up on mixtures, the main thing is that a healthy and joyful mother is nearby)
Lyudmila Sergeevna Sokolova
Reading time: 4 minutes
A A
Article last updated: 05/30/2018
Sooner or later, the question arises before a nursing mother, is it possible to breastfeed at a temperature? Unfortunately, we are all prone to various infections, and lactating women are no exception. On the contrary, after childbirth, the body is extremely weakened. So what should you do if the thermometer goes off scale, and the baby is waiting for the next portion of mother's milk?
Causes of an increase in body temperature
The human body is unpredictable and anything can happen to it. And a woman who has just given birth can become a hostage to such diseases as lactostasis and mastitis. Yes, and various street infections can be a reason. So there could be many reasons for this. Here are the main ones.
- Milk stasis or lactostasis.
- Mastitis, a consequence of lactostasis. An extremely insidious disease, accompanied by terrible pain and heaviness in the chest.
- Intestinal infections, possibly due to poisoning.
- Viral infection, possibly SARS, acute respiratory infections, etc. The most common cause.
- Angina, and other inflammatory processes.
As you can see, there are many reasons. And there are 2 camps, those who are for and those who are against feeding this difficult period. But what do experts say about this?
To feed or not?
Opponents believe that breast milk should be excluded from the baby's diet. You can not continue feeding until the moment of recovery. In extreme cases, express, boil and drink from a bottle. But everything beneficial features when boiled, they will evaporate, and the baby will get used to eating through the nipple during the illness of the mother. One has only to show that they get used to this easy work quickly. After all, food pours itself into the mouth, and through the chest you need to work hard to get food. Statistically, most children infancy it is for this reason that the mother's breast was abandoned.
Another camp of opponents argues that the quality of the product during illness may decrease, for example, sour or become bitter. You don't need to believe in it. Properties are not lost at all. These are the arguments of experts who argue that it is necessary and important to feed a child at a temperature.
How do they explain it? Very simple. We all know that temperature is defensive reaction human body. How is it provided? Through the production of antibodies that promote immunity.
Therefore, through milk when breastfeeding, the baby will also receive immune cells for itself. It turns out that this is even useful, because the immunity of the child is tempered. In addition, if this process is abandoned, the mother will have to pump every 3 hours. But this is an extremely difficult procedure.
In a sick state, not everything can be expressed. And this will lead to stagnation, and an increase in the already high temperature.
Remember that in case of any illness accompanied by an increase in body temperature, it is necessary to wear a mask on the face. It may be necessary to send the child to a separate room, meeting with him only at the time of feeding.
Through milk, except for useful antibodies, nothing will be transmitted. It is much more likely to infect a child with a constant stay with him. This is especially true for the flu. But how to be treated and what for the time of the epidemic? And if allowed breastfeeding, what medicines can be taken without harming the baby?
Treatment
To treat the mother, you need to find out the cause of the disease. And only a doctor can do that. Take the time to make a diagnosis. The doctor not only determines the disease, but also recommends medicines. Remember that not everything is acceptable if you are breastfeeding. Here is the list of prohibited ones.
- Tetracycline antibiotics. And, in general, all antibiotics are undesirable when feeding.
- Medicines based on fluoroquinols. This will disrupt bone formation.
- Analgin can adversely affect hematopoiesis.
- Sulfanilamide drugs can also leave a negative imprint on the quality of the baby's blood.
- Nitromidazole will disrupt the digestion of the peanut.
Any trick medicines must be strictly agreed with the attending physician. Failure to consult can lead to disastrous consequences for the child. This is the main and most main reason why not self-medicate.
But if the doctor, despite breastfeeding, prescribed these drugs, do not refuse! Just stop breastfeeding for a while natural way. Unfortunately, there are occasions when therapy is indispensable. This is worth remembering. At correct behavior and mother's perseverance, the procedure can be restored. Control the processes of your body, if possible, start immediately natural way feeding. Offer the little one time after time, patiently without nerves. In the end, you will win. Yes, and such serious treatment happens in extremely rare cases.
If the mother has caught a common cold, it can be treated folk remedies. Of course, drink plenty of water. Water removes all toxins and microbes. This contributes to the normalization of the processes occurring in the body. And of course, raspberry, lemon, honey. But you should be very careful with honey, it is the strongest allergen. May have a detrimental effect on the child. Of the acceptable drugs to reduce the temperature, Paracetamol is recommended, Ibuprofen is possible. And if this figure is less than 38 degrees, there is no need to shoot down.
Also, there are certain limits, above which it is worth stopping feeding for a while. This is a body temperature above 39 degrees. It is at this indicator that milk will change its taste properties. Even if you give a breast, the baby himself will refuse. Don't despair and keep an eye on the thermometer. As soon as there is a decrease, resume feeding the baby.
Human health is its main tool in the fight against adverse environmental factors. The question is especially acute if we are talking about the health of an infant. Our article today will tell you about whether it is possible to breastfeed at a temperature. As is known, in such delicate matter how to feed a child it is better to consult a specialist. Well, we will offer you only general cases that you can encounter in everyday life. So:
Breastfeeding at a temperature. Is it possible?
Of course, this is possible. But how is it correct and safe? That is the question. We give you a concise and precise answer: it is possible to breastfeed a child at a temperature! According to research, and indeed to general medical knowledge, a mother's heat while nursing a child does not have a detrimental effect on the child. In no case should you interrupt feeding during the period of illness. If the mother of the child is sick with SARS, then along with milk, the baby will receive antigens and nutrients, which, on the contrary, will give his immunity even more resistance. Also, feeding is very important for the mother. The fact is that in the period after childbirth, the mother’s breast should give milk, and not keep it inside. As a result of interruption of feeding, a young mother can develop such unpleasant diseases as lactostasis or mastitis. Another danger of interrupting feeding is that after a long break in breastfeeding, the child may completely refuse this way of feeding. In this case, you will have to switch to nutrient mixtures, and the mother will have to express milk in order to avoid its stagnation in the breast cavity. Can I breastfeed with a fever caused by a cold? Yes, you can.
Another important point which should never be forgotten. If the mother's body temperature does not exceed 38 degrees and is caused by various stressful psychological factors or ovulation, then feeding is allowed. However, if the temperature is above 39, then it is imperative to bring it down. The fact is that when feeding with temperature, the taste of milk changes, which can provoke the child to refuse this method of feeding. In addition, high temperature feeding is serious threat for the mother of the baby. Before feeding, try to bring down the temperature with products containing paracetamol. Never use aspirin-based drugs.
Another important point is what causes the temperature. As a rule, those diseases for the treatment of which antibiotics are used can pose a serious danger not only to the mother, but also to the child. In this case, it is recommended to seek advice from your doctor, who will tell you the correct algorithm of actions in this difficult situation. Usually, with a mild course of the disease, the doctor selects those antibiotics that will not interfere with the feeding process. And in some cases of serious diseases, it is necessary to interrupt the feeding process completely. Diseases that are associated with kidney failure, cardiovascular system, liver and lungs. In all these cases, feeding is not recommended, and sometimes completely prohibited. It should be noted that in such a situation The best decision- this is a consultation with the attending physician and with the pediatrician. Now you know, dear readers, in which cases you can breastfeed at a temperature.
Maintaining breastfeeding is very important for the health of the baby, so the mother should do everything possible to keep him and feed him for as long as possible. Often the question arises: "Is it possible to feed a child at a temperature?" This will be discussed.
Reasons why a mother may have a fever
Is it possible to feed a child with a temperature? The decision to refuse breastfeeding should be made only after the mother finds out the reasons for feeling unwell.
- Due to stress and ovulation, a woman's temperature may rise slightly, which, of course, will not affect the course of the breastfeeding process in any way.
- Most often, the temperature rises in cases where the mother becomes infected with an acute respiratory disease or SARS. True signs these diseases are runny nose, cough and pain when swallowing.
- Often, after childbirth, inflammatory processes can begin. They are related to postpartum problems and are subject to mandatory treatment. If a woman has a stable temperature in the first weeks after the birth of a child, she definitely needs to see a gynecologist, as her stitches may open, endometritis may appear, or a chronic disease of the genital organs may worsen.
- Postpartum disease, in which the temperature rises, is also mastitis. It develops in the mammary gland and is caused by microbes, most often caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms of mastitis are hardening of the breast, pain during feeding and pressure on the breast. Often, skin changes and cracks appear on the nipples.
- The reason for the rise in temperature can also be food poisoning.
How to measure the temperature of women with HB
Is it possible to feed a child with milk at a temperature? How to measure it correctly? The temperature of the mother immediately after feeding in the armpit cannot be measured, as it will be slightly increased, on average, up to 37.3. This is due to the fact that milk is formed in the depths of the tissues and has a temperature of 37 degrees. Also, the temperature may rise due to the contraction of the muscles of the tributaries during feeding, therefore, while the baby is eating breast milk, it also does not make sense to measure it. It is best to wait half an hour, and then the thermometer will show the most accurate value.
Before measuring the temperature, the armpit must be thoroughly wiped. Even if there is some sweat in it, readings may be low because the liquid absorbs heat.
What should mom do with fever
Is it possible to feed a child with a temperature? As soon as the mother discovers her increase, she must immediately call a doctor so that he can identify the real cause of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment. With colds, this is a therapist, with postpartum inflammation - a gynecologist. With high fever and pain during urination, they turn to a urologist. Your doctor should be consulted about continuing breastfeeding.
In order to recover as soon as possible for a nursing mother, without harming the health of her child, you need to follow these tips:
- Take only those medicines that are allowed for HB and do not affect the taste and quality of milk. These include drugs containing ibuprofen and paracetamol.
- So that the temperature does not affect the taste of milk, it is necessary to bring it down as soon as possible if it has risen above 38 degrees. The most effective are antipyretic suppositories, which have no side effects.
- If the disease is not serious and the temperature does not rise above 38 degrees, you can do without medication, the main thing is to drink warm tea, compotes and keep a diet. If the cause of the temperature rise is mastitis, the liquid should be consumed moderately, otherwise chest pains will begin due to the intensive flow of milk.
Is it possible to feed a child with a temperature?
The answer to this question primarily depends on the reasons why the nursing mother has a fever. If it is a cold, in which the doctor has prescribed medicines that do not have negative consequences for the baby, you can continue feeding. In the case of prescribing antibiotics, you need to be more careful and be sure to consult a doctor about their effect on milk content. Viral diseases in themselves are not an indication to stop breastfeeding, as the milk that a child receives contains enough antibodies to help protect his immunity from the disease.
Is it possible to breastfeed a child with a temperature caused by a virus? Yes, but the main thing is that the mother does not forget to put on a mask, changing it every three hours with constant contact with the child. If the cause of the temperature is mastitis, feeding is also continued, except in the last stages of the development of the disease, when pus begins to stand out from the chest.
Is it possible to feed a child if the temperature is above 38?
Is it possible to feed a child at a temperature of 38 degrees and above? An increase in temperature above 38 becomes a reason for refusing breastfeeding if the doctor prescribes a medicine that is not compatible with breastfeeding, or if a lot of pathogenic viruses and bacteria accumulate in milk. In this case, the mother is forced to temporarily transfer the baby to formula milk in order to avoid diarrhea or indigestion.
If the cause of fever is acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections, which can be treated with health-sparing drugs, it is necessary to continue breastfeeding for the benefit of the baby, so that he, along with valuable milk, receives antibodies produced in the mother's body.
If the temperature rises above 38 degrees, you should definitely bring it down, because the patient may begin to have convulsions. It is best to use antipyretic drugs based on paracetamol, aspirin is not allowed to be used with HB.
Is it possible to feed a child at a temperature of 37?
Based on medical research, doctors unequivocally state that a slight temperature is not a reason to refuse breastfeeding, since if the break is prolonged, it is quite possible that the baby will refuse to take the breast at all. ARVI or ARI of the mother is not a threat to the child, since during the illness antibodies are formed in the milk, which she shares with the baby. Feeding is also extremely important for the mother, as a break can complicate her condition, and in addition to a cold, mastitis or lactostasis may appear.
If the temperature has risen due to stress or ovulation, it is also not worth stopping breastfeeding, since this condition of the mother will not affect the health of the child in any way.
When should you stop breastfeeding if you have a fever?
Is it possible to feed at a temperature baby? There are cases when feeding can harm the baby and it is necessary to stop breastfeeding:
- tuberculosis, the initial symptom of which is a slight increase in temperature;
- purulent mastitis;
- a severe form of infection that can only be cured with antibiotics and therapy incompatible with hepatitis B.