Can I Keep Nursing My Baby When She Is Having GI Troubles?

Updated on November 03, 2010
J.F. asks from West Covina, CA
16 answers

my 11 m.o. baby caught the stomach bug from his cousin and has been vomiting 4-5 times since about 2 hours ago. she also had loose stool earlier today. can i keep nursing her or should i keep her on clear fluids only?! Truly appreciate immediate feedback!!

She's now vomiting bile repeatedly:( no fever though...

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would think that it would be good for her to keep her hydrated..are you using electrolytes? the plain pedialyte is way better than the gross flavored ones..bleh! i tasted those..the antibodies in your milk should help her out..maybe take it slow but keep her hydrated so i say yes.

good luck..i remember how scared i would get when my son was an infant and getting sick..i would take her to the doc tomorrow if she's not better and keep a close watch on her..perhaps lay her on her side ..not good if she's on her back and vomits..she could choke

xo

D.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Boston on

keep nursing. if anything, that should help her get over the virus more quickly. It is so gentle on the stomach, she should be better within 24 hours. Important too to keep her hydrated. She might just enjoy the comfort too!

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C.M.

answers from New York on

Be in touch with La Leche League in your area. Breastmilk is THE perfect food, even better than water when the child is sick. She will recover faster and be stronger against all other bugs that come her way in the future. And, the nursing gives her so much comfort.

But I hope you called the pediatrician about the super frequent vomiting within a 2-hour window. First rule out a trip to the ER, then continue nursing unless doctor advises something else, that can be probably given in addition to nursing.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

nurse her!
I feel bad it sounds like she got the nasty bug that went through my house :( I had never been that violently ill as what I was with that bug. Oh and my boys did not have a fever with it either.

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S.B.

answers from Columbus on

nurse, nurse, nurse!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Dover on

I would think it is good to keep nursing whatever she feels like drinking. Hopefully the bug will clear out soon. It's important that she get fluids and nourishment since she has been vomiting.
There is a product called Lauricidin (also known as Monolaurin). It's a derivative of coconut. Here's a link on the product we use. http://www.lauricidin.com/tech_data.asp
It stops the flu from replicating. We've used it for several years now.... we haven't had the flu in six years. It's also good for the digestive tract.
Blessings, Ali :)

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

Keep nursing her! Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, have you contacted the pediatrician? Dehydration is a serious problem for young babies so make sure the ped is aware that she has vomited so much.

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L.K.

answers from Atlanta on

Definitely keep nursing her! She needs the nutrients and antibodies from you. Keep her well hydrated, and she should be feeling better soon. Nursing is the best thing you can do for her! Hope she feels better!

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Definitely keep nursing. It's the best thing you can do for her. Stomach bugs last 9 - 10 days... Hang in there.

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L.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

My doc told me that breastmilk was considered a clear fluid. Sounds like what my DD went through when all 4 molars came in at once. At pedi's suggestion, we nursed and did the BRAT (Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet and it cleared up pretty quickly.

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A.N.

answers from Las Vegas on

Definitely keep breastfeeding, but you will want to feed her less, and more often. So if she normally breastfeeds for 10 minutes each side. Just do like 5 minutes on one side, and then 30 or so minutes later (or when she wants more), do more. She'll probably enjoy the comfort of nursing more, and it should mean less vomiting on you :) I did this with my son when he had some kind of stomach bug (he kept throwing up as well), and it helped a lot.

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M.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

If your baby has been vomiting that is a sign to take her to the doctor. Babies could easily have electrolyte imbalance, and is very dangerous.

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M.N.

answers from Los Angeles on

Absolutely keep nursing her. Your breast milk is the best thing for her and will help her get over her bug.

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T.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes yes yes! Nursing is the best thing you can do for her right now. Hope your sweet little one feels better soon!

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R.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi J.,

Definitely keep nursing your baby -- she needs to stay hydrated. If she keeps vomiting up the milk, though, try pedialyte, not water or juice. If she's vomiting a lot, she will also need the electrolytes provided by pedialyte to keep chemically balanced. And please, the first person you should be calling is your pediatrician! You baby probably just has a tummy bug, but you and the doctor who knows her best are the only people who are in the right position to make good decisions for her.

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E.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

as far as i know nursing is fine-better, in fact, than clear fluids.

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