How to Breastfeed When Your Baby Is Sick

When your baby has a cold, breast milk acts as a powerful immune booster. Its antibodies and nutrients help fight germs, while nursing offers soothing comfort and keeps your baby hydrated.

How Do you Calm A Crying Baby Fast? Reading How to Breastfeed When Your Baby Is Sick 9 minutes Next Breastfeeding While Sick: What Every Mom Needs to Know

By SamanthaHoare Jan 27, 20250 comments

Breastfeeding is like a shield for your baby, helping protect them from all kinds of germs and illnesses. But even with all that protection, sometimes your little one still gets sick. It could be a cold, a cough, or even a stomach bug. Whatever it is, you’re probably feeling the stress of dealing with a fussy, congested, or uncomfortable baby.

Maybe it’s from daycare, or a playdate with a friend’s kids who weren’t feeling their best. Or maybe it’s just all the random stuff babies love to put in their mouths.

Either way, your baby’s sick. And while breastfeeding isn’t a magic cure that’ll keep them from ever getting sick, it’s still the best way to help them feel better.

To make breastfeeding a little more comfortable during this time, having best nursing bras can really help.

They’re designed to make things easier and provide the support you need, especially when you’re nursing more frequently while your baby’s under the weather.

So if you’re wondering how to manage nursing when your baby’s under the weather, don’t worry—this article has got you covered with some simple tips to make breastfeeding a little easier for both of you.

Why Breastfeeding Helps When Your Baby Is Sick

When your baby’s under the weather, breastfeeding offers more than just nutrition—it’s actually one of the best things you can do to help them recover faster. Your breast milk is packed with antibodies that help fight off the germs making your baby sick. These antibodies act like a built-in defense system, speeding up the healing process and helping your little one feel better quicker.

Breastfeeding also provides comfort and reassurance. When your baby’s feeling crummy, nursing helps them feel safer, calmer, and more relaxed.

It’s not just the milk—it’s the closeness, the soothing touch, and the skin-to-skin contact that comes with it. That physical connection can be just as powerful as any medicine when your baby’s upset or in pain.

Your breast milk is like a mini immune booster shot for your baby. It’s full of immune factors that help your baby fight off viruses, bacteria, and other bugs. So when your baby’s sick, those immune boosters are exactly what they need to stay strong and recover faster.

This pink nursing top from Momanda provides great support for breastfeeding moms.

When Your Baby...

Has a Cold

A cold can be tough on your baby, with symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes a low-grade fever. Babies with colds tend to be more fussy than usual and may have trouble getting restful sleep.

Colds typically last anywhere from five to ten days. If you're concerned, it’s always a good idea to contact your pediatrician’s office for guidance on how to help your baby manage the congestion and discomfort. Some doctors may suggest doing nothing as long as your baby is having enough wet diapers (at least six per day), but here are a few things you can try to help your baby feel more comfortable and clear up their congestion:

Clear the Nose: Before nursing, gently remove mucus from your baby's nose with a bulb syringe or a NoseFrida. This can make it easier for them to latch and breathe while nursing.
Use Saline Drops: Reduce nasal swelling and loosen mucus with saline nose drops. These can be helpful to make it easier for your baby to breathe through their nose.
Elevate the Crib: If your baby is congested, raising the head of the crib by a few inches can help them breathe easier while sleeping. Just be sure to check with your pediatrician and follow safety guidelines.
Warm Bath: Give your baby a warm bath, and at the end, use a washcloth to gently wipe their nostrils. This can help clear out some of the mucus.
Humidifier: Running a humidifier in your baby’s room can help keep the air moist, making it easier for them to breathe and reducing nasal congestion.
Nurse in a Steamy Bathroom: If you have a hot shower, try nursing in the bathroom with the steam from the shower running. The moist air can help loosen mucus and make it easier for your baby to breathe while nursing.
Adjust Nursing Position: Try nursing in a more upright position or use a baby carrier to keep them propped up while feeding. This may help with congestion and make nursing more comfortable.
Frequent Feedings: Offer the breast more often, as nursing sessions may be shorter when your baby is congested. This helps keep them hydrated and provides comfort.
Help Milk Flow: Massage your breast and use a warm compress before nursing to help get the milk flowing more easily. This can make nursing less frustrating for your sick baby and ensure they’re getting enough milk.

Has a Stuffy Nose

A stuffy nose is a common issue for babies, especially when they’re dealing with a cold or other upper respiratory infection. It can make it harder for them to breathe, which means they may struggle to nurse, sleep, or even relax. Since babies breathe mostly through their noses, congestion can be particularly uncomfortable for them.

While nasal congestion usually clears up on its own in a few days, there are things you can do to help ease your baby’s discomfort and make breastfeeding easier during this time.

Use a Nasal Aspirator or NoseFrida: Clear your baby’s nose before nursing with a bulb syringe or NoseFrida. This helps them breathe better while feeding.
Saline Drops: Put a few drops of saline in each nostril to loosen mucus. Wait a minute, then use the aspirator again to clear the nose.
Feed in an Upright Position: Hold your baby in a more upright position to make it easier for them to breathe while nursing.
Run a Humidifier: Keep a cool-mist humidifier in their room to help loosen mucus and keep their nasal passages moist.
Steamy Bathroom: Turn on a hot shower and nurse in the bathroom. The steam will help clear their nose.
Warm Compress: Place a warm, damp cloth on your baby’s nose for a few minutes to reduce swelling.
Frequent Short Feedings: Offer the breast more often, but in shorter sessions. This can make nursing easier when they’re congested.

Has Diarrhea

It can be tough to tell if your baby has diarrhea since their stool changes so much, especially in the first few months. But if you notice their poop is a lot more runny or watery than usual, that could be a sign.

Of course, every baby’s stool looks different depending on what they eat, so if it suddenly becomes much more liquid or frequent than usual, that’s worth keeping an eye on. You might also notice your little one is extra fussy, which could be from the discomfort of diarrhea.

And if the diarrhea lasts more than a day or gets worse, be on the lookout for signs of dehydration—like dry lips, fewer wet diapers, or a soft spot on their head that looks sunken. A fever can pop up too, especially if an infection is causing the upset tummy.

Keep Nursing: Breastfeeding is key. It helps keep your baby hydrated and gives them the nutrition they need, plus it’s full of antibodies to help fight whatever’s causing the diarrhea.
Try Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS): If your baby’s over six months, consider offering an oral rehydration solution. It helps replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
Watch Wet Diapers: Make sure your baby’s still having enough wet diapers—at least six a day. If that drops, or if you’re seeing signs of dehydration, definitely call the pediatrician.
Stick to Simple Foods (If They’re Eating Solids): If your baby’s eating solids, give them bland stuff like rice cereal, bananas, or applesauce. Stay away from sugary or dairy foods that might upset their stomach more.
Change Diapers Often: Diarrhea can cause diaper rashes, so change your baby’s diaper often. Use gentle, fragrance-free wipes, and make sure to slather on some diaper cream to protect their skin.

Tips for Caring for All Sick Babies

No matter what’s making your baby sick, it’s tough. As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help them feel better. While you can’t make them better instantly, you can offer comfort, and that matters a lot.

Give lots of cuddles, skin-to-skin time, and rest. Let nursing and breast milk be a big part of their recovery. Forget about your to-do list for now — it can wait.

Some babies want to nurse constantly when they’re sick, which is great for hydration and comfort. But if your baby refuses to nurse, it can be stressful.

To encourage nursing, try feeding during sleepy times—right before bed or when they wake up. You can also try breast milk popsicles or spoon-feed a breast milk slushie to soothe a sore throat.