Breastfeeding a Sick Baby {#BFBlogHop}

December 29, 2010.  I remember this day well. It was the first day Charis was sick, and it was the day my cousin was married.  We were in Northern Ireland. Charis woke up at 5:00 AM, at least 1 1/2 hours earlier than she had the previous 3 days.  I brought Charis in bed so I could nurse her and we'd fall back to sleep. But that was not to be, I realized she was congested, her eyes were watery, and she had a moist cough.  

Being a nurse, I knew there were no medications I could give my baby.  What she needed most, was what I already had given her everyday of her life: comfort, breast milk, and love.

If your baby has a cold or is congested,

1. Nurse often.  Babies are comforted by breastfeeding, plus breast milk has wonderful antibodies to help fight off illnesses.
2. Nurse as upright as possible.  When Charis had her cold, I ended up having her sleep in a rocker next to the bed so her head could be slightly elevated.  
3. If need be, clear your baby's nose prior to breastfeeding, with saline drops, breast milk, or with a nasal aspirator, such as the Nosefrida.
4. Run a humidifier in the bedroom. Boil a pot of water, with a few drops of essential oils {such as eucalyptus} to help relieve your baby's congestion.

Have you ever breastfed a sick baby?  If so, what tips can you add?

Join me over at the #BFBlogHop at Sisters 'N Cloth.

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