As a new or expectant mother, it’s natural to worry about staying healthy while protecting your baby during cold and flu season. The good news is that breastfeeding offers powerful protection for your little one, making it one of the best ways to keep them healthy—even when you’re under the weather. With a few simple steps, you can continue breastfeeding while sick and caring for your baby, all while supporting your own recovery.

How Does Breastfeeding Protect Babies?

Mother’s milk is medicine

Most common illnesses, like colds and the flu, are not passed to your baby through breast milk. In fact, continuing to breastfeed while you’re sick shares special antibodies with your baby, helping reduce their risk of catching your illness and supporting their immune system.

Breastfeeding provides comfort

Breastfeeding isn’t just about nutrition—it’s also about closeness. If your baby does get sick, it can ease their symptoms, keep them hydrated, and offer comfort. Close contact and long nursing sessions are also gentle reminders to slow down, rest, and prioritize your recovery.

Ways to Protect Your Baby When You Get Sick

Wash your hands

Germs spread quickly, so wash your hands before caring for your baby or touching anything they use, like bottles or pacifiers.

Cover your cough

Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose, and avoid coughing or sneezing directly near your little one.

Stay hydrated and rest

It's always a good idea to drink plenty of fluids and take breaks when you can. Your body needs extra care to recover.

Continue breastfeeding

Keep breastfeeding as usual. If you need extra rest, try side-lying positions and ask for help with other infant care or household tasks.

Treating Cold and Flu Symptoms While Breastfeeding

Check cold medication ingredients

  • Pain relievers and fever reducers: Mild over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers.

  • Antihistamines: Generally considered safe, but can sometimes cause drowsiness. For this reason, less sedating options are preferred.

  • Decongestants: Avoid medications that contain decongestants, especially Pseudoephedrine. While it is considered safe, it has been shown to decrease breast milk production.

The Infant Risk Center is a reliable resource for navigating the medication aisle, especially during cold and flu season. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for safer alternatives.

Be cautious with essential oils

Essential oils are made from large amounts of herbs, making them potent and more like medicine than a simple herbal tea. Some may be safe for you, but include the risk of serious side effects for newborns or young children. Many cold and flu blends contain peppermint, camphor, birch, or sage essential oils that are unsafe while breastfeeding.

Natural remedies that may help

These remedies can help relieve symptoms without affecting your milk or your baby.

  • Warm teas with honey and lemon—soothes a sore throat (avoid giving honey directly to babies under 1 year).

  • Ginger lozenges—can ease nausea or throat irritation.

  • Humidifiers—help relieve nasal congestion safely.

  • Saline nasal sprays or neti pots—relieve stuffy noses and are safe while breastfeeding.

What about Breastfeeding While Sick with COVID-19?

Current evidence shows that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is not passed through human milk, so the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) recommends mothers continue to breastfeed. Your antibodies continue to offer protection, and good hygiene—like handwashing and masking near your baby—can help prevent them from getting sick.

When to Seek Help

If your baby gets sick

If your baby develops cold or flu symptoms, contact your pediatrician for advice. Fevers in infants under 3 months old can be a sign of a more serious illness and requires immediate medical attention. 

If you're too sick to breastfeed

If you're very unwell or need to be hospitalized, remove milk by breast pump as often as you are able. This not only protects your supply, but also ensures your baby can continue to benefit from the antibodies in your milk. If needed, a healthy caregiver can feed the expressed breast milk to your baby until you are feeling well enough to breastfeed. 

Milk supply concerns

Some mothers find that after a stomach bug, influenza, or a high fever, dehydration may temporarily lower milk production. Frequent breastfeeding, hydration, and rest should help your supply bounce back within a few days

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your baby. Breastfeeding while sick continues to provide your baby with immune protection, nutrition, and comfort—even when you’re not feeling your best. The cold and flu season can feel challenging, but your body and your milk are working hard to protect your little one.

A lactation consultant can provide support for any breastfeeding challenges while you’re sick, so don’t hesitate to reach out. It’s okay to accept help, rest when needed, and prioritize your recovery. You’ve got this, mama!

Disclaimer: Our classes and accompanying materials are intended for general education purposes and should not replace medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider and/or lactation consultant.