Breastfeeding and Sick

I have found that eating NO sugar, drinking lots of water, getting plenty of rest helps, but getting all of us adjusted by a pediatric chiropractor makes ALL the difference to us. We also take a vitamin when we are around sick people, so that we start fighting before there are any symptoms and we are never sick.

We use this as needed:
http://www.worldlifesupplements.com/prod_an75090.html

Eat well! Sounds simple, I know. Drink plenty of water, eat 3 meals plus two snacks a day, try to stay away from processed foods, processed sugars, etc.. go for the superfoods and get plenty or rest - I know, hard to do with a 9mos old, but easier to do w/a 9mos who naps than w/a 3/4 year old running around! Sleep when he is sleeping if you can. Ask for help from friends/family if you need it. When we are stressed/overworked/run-down, we get sick, so take care of you FIRST!! Oh and of course, wash your hands often, again, that seems so obvious! I hope you are feeling better soon!!
M.

In addition to Michele S.
Yes, lack of sleep impairs the immune system and a host of other things. Sleep, is restorative and 'repairs' the body.

Now, can your Hubby do night-time duty? But since you are nursing... or, maybe at night, you can give a bottle of your milk? That way you can actually sleep/rest at night. That is what some couples do.. the Hubby takes over night time. Sure, the man needs sleep too, but when you have a baby, BOTH spouses have to juggle sleep/night duty.

AND, on weekends... this can be your "off" days. Meaning, have hubby help around the house, make you lunch, clean, and when your baby is napping, YOU nap too. Really. I know its hard to actually do it... but just rest and nap. Catch up with rest on the weekend when Hubby is home. That is what I did and still do. On the weekends, that is my 'break' (sort of), and Hubby takes the kids out. So I can nap. And I do. And my kids are on a regular nap routine, so it's easier to actually plan these things.

Really though, since it's about your health, it's important. A Mommy has to be healthy. Your Hubby can understand this I'm sure. Just sit down, decide on a 'schedule' and have him take over household/baby duties too. For me we have a "Daddy Do-List"... and on this list is the actual things that is my Hubby's responsibilities... otherwise, they forget and just think the Mom will do it all. It's just men. They don't think like us. So this helps. You NEED to delegate chores and duties. Since you have a Hubby and are not a single Mom, you have the privilege of having your Husband help. So you can rest.... or to have just a break. Moms need this. Or you will go bonkers and get more rundown... which will impact your health and just emotionally from not getting run down.

Try it.
Do not take over the counter meds.

Just some ideas,
All the best,
Susan

I have been sick alot this year as well. There are a lot of colds going around and I am not the only one. it seemed that every week we were getting sick. but all of them just stayed pretty mild. My neighbors kept getting sick as well. There may just be a whole bunch of new stuff out. I think we were sick for half of Feb and a fourth of March. Sometime when a virus gets in there is nothing you can do but let your body fight it. Here it was stomach flu, cold, some weird thing that just had us sleepy for three days and then a coughing type cold.

According to my Doula, who is also a breastfeeding consultant, you can take any OTC drug that has as it's ONLY active ingredient "guaifenesin" (it's an expectorant, thins your mucous so that your body can deal with it). It's gentle and won't hurt your little one at all.

Even now, when I am done breastfeeding, I have discovered that a combination of guaifenesin and tylenol are plenty to make me feel significantly better. You just need to drink a lot of water with it (which you should be doing anyway when you're sick [grin]).

Walgreens makes a good generic called "Mucus Relief" that you can get cheap. (When your little one is older, they also make a cough syrup with only guaifenesin that you can know is gentle enough.)

Good luck hon, I hope you feel better soon.

homeopathic OTC meds are ok if you are nursing. whole foods and even some supermarkets sell it.
Good luck
V

we used to catch all the colds..now my son is 3 and we rarely do..i take L=lysine once a day in the eve..it's for cold sores but i wanted to see if it would help w/ colds and it's helped me ..and my son hasn't been catching things much either..i think your immune system will finally just get so strong after all these colds.
wash your hands a lot..did u know u catch things from touching your eyes..at least that's what i heard..i try to avoid the indoor play places ..every time we go to one we catch something!
i also drink kombucha drink once a day w/ ginger/asian pear mix...and i have some aloe vera juice in the morning..do u work out? that could help too..join a gym that has a daycare in it..
i'm 44...had my son at 41...so i know what it's like to feel tired all the time..it gets easier!

My family has been sick a lot this year too! Eating healthy, drinking tons of water, and getting enough rest are key. Are you not getting enough rest because your baby doesn't sleep through the night yet? If so, that should definitely be a priority. Rest will help all of you.

Yes, there is more you can do. Vitamins are isolated nutrition. You should get your vitamins from food. If you would like to borrow my dvd, nutritional seminar, let me know.. God Bless!

J.

I'm sure plenty of people will give you suggestions to help your immune system.
But I just wanted to say that this has just been a horrible year for viruses. We have not had an entirely healthy household since January. My kids just keep bringing home virus after virus from school. We eat tons of fruits and vegetables, vitamins, do regular visits to the chiropracter, and get plenty of sleep and exercise (not simultaneously of course :). It's just a bad year, even our pediatrician said so.
Hang in there and keep breastfeeding, the best thing you can do for your baby.

Apple cider vinegar (from Trader Joes or Whole Foods). 2 tablespoons (or more) in a glass. Add some juice, about a half cup or more. Add the same amount of water. Drink this every day and you will hardly get sick at all.

If you get tired of this, Celestial Seasons Mandarine Orange tea, add 7 or more drops of tabasco sauce. Tabasco is basically liquid cayenne and it actually makes the orange flavor stronger and you get the benefit of having red pepper. This does not work as good as the apple cider vinegar but it is a good substitute.

Make sure your dishcloths, sponges, etc. are washed daily.
Forget those expensive electric toothbrushes. Use a manual one and brush longer - and then since these brushes are so cheap, change them frequently, especially when you are feeling under the weather.

Try to avoid sweets, processed foods and dairy for a few days here and there, and see if it makes a difference in your health.

Good luck!

One of the best things to help avoid getting sick is to wash your hands constantly! Wash every time you come into the house from the grocery store, library, mall, etc. Wash after every single diaper change, and I mean a full-on wash, lathering for 30+ seconds. They say you should lather the entire time it takes to sing "Happy B-day". Rinse well, use clean towels, and have a really good hand moisturizer, because your hands will get really dry from all that washing! But you'll be amazed at how that will cut down your illnesses! Wash your hands before you eat anything, prepare food for your baby, or give him any snacks. I know it's hard, but wash your hands every time you wipe his nose, so that you won't get those germs. Are you washing baby's hands as well? He's into everything, so wash his hands before every meal and just a few extra times throughout the day. (Use baby soap for him, not antibacterial.) Wipe all door knobs, phones, etc., every few days with sanitizing wipes or spray with a disinfectant. You've heard it forever,but it's very true---the healthier you eat, the healthier you'll be. Eat clean---get rid of the junk food (it's so much easier to eat that when you're rushed....) and eat your protein and veggies. (When you're rushed, cottage cheese, yogurt, string cheese, peanut butter crackers, bananas, apples and carrots are quick to grab and eat.) Get more sleep (nap when baby naps at least a couple days a week)and make sure you're taking your vitamins daily. Add some walks or exercise in there every week and I guarantee that you'll see your health and energy level improve! (Put baby in the stroller and go for a brisk walk at least 3-4 days a week, weather permitting.) Good luck, this time passes so quickly, even though it doesn't feel like it when you're in the throes of the daily "stuff"!

P.S. Are you trying to be "super-mom" and keep your house immaculate at the expense of your rest? If so, let some of that go....it'll be okay.

My family was doing fine until December. Then, we each got sick and then we get sick again. My daughter has even missed three weeks of school. So, it is not just you.
I don't know what your symptoms are, so I can't give you any home remedies, (I have tons of them-- many from my homeopathic dr.), but I will say that you get sick when your immune system is worn down -- usually when you don't get enough rest.
So, since you imply you don't get enough rest, I suggest taking a nap when the baby does. If your child is 9 months old, he should be getting more than 12 hours of sleep total in any 24 hour period,-- spend nap time sleeping.

Oh my God, I felt the SAME way with my first son! I think it was just timing though...I never understood "cold and flue season" until I had kids...it's just this time of year, more goes around. I bet you anything give it another month and it'll go to being like it was before...

Good luck!
-M

got to your local farmers market and find the local beekeeper. Get some local honey and have that half an hour before you nurse. store bought honey would work too, but the local honey (wildflower if you can get it) can help with making you less allergic to the local stuff in the air.
good luck
R.

consume one clove of garlic everyday. Studies show that babies like garlic-fed mama milk. It's great for your immune system. Chamomile and honey are natural antiseptics and are safe while nursing. Try getting out for some fresh air everyday. Ask for help! You need a break and a good rest sometimes- if only for an hour a week. Best wishes!

It's tough not to get sick, especially when you have a baby sneezing in your face and touching you after they just put their hands in their mouth, not to mention their runny noses running everywhere. You really have to make the effort to:

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat lots of healthy foods (boost your Vit C intake)
3. Wash your hands after touching baby/wiping his nose. (I know that will be a lot, but you have to do it).
4. Try to get plenty of rest
5. I change my shirt frequently while my son has a cold to try to eliminate spreading the germs.
6. Exercise also builds the immune system (tough to do when you have a little one AND aren't getting enough sleep).

Just a few things that seem to help me.

Good luck!