A cold during breastfeeding always raises many questions for mothers. Is it possible to continue breastfeeding the baby? Is it okay to drink antipyretic? What if it's not a cold? Let's see why a nursing mother may have a fever and how this affects breastfeeding.
Causes
All the reasons that can cause an increase in temperature in a breastfeeding woman can be divided into three separate groups:
- Acute infectious diseases of a viral nature.
- Acute diseases caused by bacteria.
- Exacerbations of chronic diseases.
It is very important to establish the cause, as tactics will differ from case to case. An increase in temperature in the first weeks of the postpartum period can be caused by the occurrence of inflammatory diseases, for example, mastitis, suture inflammation, endometritis and others.
How to measure temperature?
If a nursing mother measures the temperature during feeding or immediately after it (as well as after expressing) under the armpit, then indicators of 37.1-37.3 degrees or slightly higher will be considered normal. This is due to the formation of milk in the depths of the mammary glands, as well as the release of heat by the muscle cells of the breast at the time of feeding. That is why it is advised to measure the temperature in the armpit area about half an hour after feeding or pumping. It is also important to wipe off sweat before measuring, since water has the ability to absorb heat and the presence of sweat in the armpit can make the result unreliable.
When can you breastfeed?
When a viral infection is the cause of the fever, feeding can be continued. Firstly, my mother became a carrier of the virus even before the external manifestations of infection, so the virus could already enter the crumbs' body. Secondly, after the virus enters the mother's body, the production of antibodies has begun, which will go to the baby precisely with breast milk. This can prevent the disease in the baby or make its course easier. In addition, the decision to stop breastfeeding because of a fever can harm a woman's breasts, causing congestion and mastitis.
When is it forbidden?
Contraindications to continued breastfeeding may be associated with:
- The risk of contact with the baby of the pathogen or the toxins secreted by it.
- The need to use medications that are contraindicated or undesirable for young children.
Prescribing antibiotics is not always a reason to stop breastfeeding a baby, but it happens that a mother has to take exactly those types of antibiotics that can damage the baby's body. In this case, the woman is advised to temporarily stop breastfeeding.
If a woman has mastitis, the question of continuing breastfeeding should be decided individually. Mastitis is not an absolute contraindication, however, most often infection with Staphylococcus aureus leads to its occurrence, and there is a high risk of infection of the baby with this microorganism.
In the case when the mother has an exacerbated existing chronic disease, for example, sinusitis, pyelonephritis or bronchitis, there are often no contraindications to continuing breastfeeding. Among all infections that occur in adults in a chronic form, only syphilis, active tuberculosis, viral hepatitis C and B, and HIV can act as an obstacle to breastfeeding.
Tips
A nursing mother with a fever should see a specialist to pinpoint the cause of the fever. In addition, the doctor will recommend a treatment compatible with breastfeeding. If six weeks have not yet passed after giving birth, you should consult an obstetrician-gynecologist. In the event of symptoms of an intestinal infection or a cold, a therapist should be called at home.
With an acute viral infection, the mother should try to protect the baby from airborne infection. It is recommended to isolate the baby from the mother at least during sleep, and also often ventilate the room. When feeding a baby or caring for a baby, a sick mother should wear a disposable or gauze (4-layer) bandage, which should be changed every two to three hours.
Around the baby's crib, you can put containers with crushed chives, since the essential oils of this plant are quite effective against various viruses. Also, in the room where the mother and baby stay, you can turn on the germicidal lamp for 10-15 minutes, four to five times a day.
A nursing mother should carefully read the annotations to the medications prescribed to her in order to know if medications pass into the milk. If possible, it is better to choose agents with local action - ointments, inhalations, aerosols, rinses. Very often, when the mother has uncomplicated acute respiratory infections, herbal medicine is enough. However, there are herbs that are incompatible with breastfeeding, so the appointment of herbal teas should also be discussed with your doctor.
If mom has to temporarily interrupt breastfeeding, but she wants to continue breastfeeding after recovery, she will have to express regularly - every three hours during the day and every five hours at night.
