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Breastfeeding a Sick Baby

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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.

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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.