An Aptaclub initiative to support & encourage breastfeeding in Ireland

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Breastfeeding & illness

Can I breastfeed when I have the flu or when I am sick?

With very few exceptions, if you continue to breastfeed when you are ill, you are protecting your baby. By the time symptoms develop, you have already passed on the infection so by breastfeeding you are providing the antibodies. If you are being prescribed medication, request medicines compatible with breastfeeding.

For more information on breastfeeding when ill, see:
Breastfeeding when mum is ill
Benefits of breastfeeding for mums

Can I take medication while breastfeeding?

Many forms of medication are compatible with breastfeeding - check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

My doctor says I must stop breastfeeding for medical reasons. What should I do?

If it’s about medication, ask your doctor if they can prescribe a drug compatible with breastfeeding. If you are unhappy about the outcome, do some research and get a second opinion. If it’s a temporary problem, you can maintain your milk supply by expressing (throw the milk away if it’s not suitable for feeding to your baby). When you are well again, you will be able to resume breastfeeding. A healthy mum is a happy mum, so for the benefit of you and your baby follow doctor’s orders and focus on your wellbeing. If you have to stop nursing, you have done well to breastfeed up to now in order to give your child a healthy start in life.

How can I help my congested baby to nurse?

Your baby will be feeding often to quench his/her thirst. Some babies refuse to breastfeed when congested, so keep your baby’s head higher than his/her bottom by using a pillow if necessary. If they refuse to feed, express breast milk and feed it to your baby with a spoon, cup or syringe. Some over-the-counter cold remedies are suitable for babies under one year, read the label carefully and consult a pharmacist. If you have any worries, seek medical help.
For more information, see: Breastfeeding when baby has a cold or fever


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Breastfeeding Benefits

Breastfeeding offers lifelong benefits for you and your baby. Health benefits include a lower risk of some cancers for you & less chance of allergies for your baby. Even if you cannot breastfeed for as long as you had planned, the good news is that you are still giving your baby a precious gift. For example, did you know that breastfeeding for even just six weeks can lower your baby’s risk of chest infections up to the age of seven?

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An Aptaclub initiative to support & encourage breastfeeding in Ireland

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, research has shown that one of the reasons cited by mothers for this is lack of support. That is why we created a website to support breastfeeding and help mums with their nursing for as long as they wish. For over 50 years we have been committed to learning from the natural benefits of breast milk with an ongoing programme of research that now involves over 250 scientists, paediatricians and nutritionists. Although our nutrition products include infant products, we have always stressed, both in our literature and advertising, that breast milk is the perfect food for babies. It is because of this we strongly believe that www.mumslikeus.ie, a comprehensive website to support other national breastfeeding initiatives means we can work together to provide the support to mothers during this challenging and exciting time in order to improve and sustain breastfeeding rates in Ireland the long term. This is in line with the Aptaclub mission to make a difference to the long term health of babies in Ireland..

How Mumslikeus can help parents

Breastfeeding offers amazing, life-long, health benefits for mums and babies, is kind to the environment and, last but not least, is natural, free and convenient.

It is easy to feel bombarded by conflicting advice and feel uncertain about your baby’s wellbeing. We have created this online community to assist you at every stage of your breastfeeding journey through expert information, peer support and interactive tools. If requested, we can send you emails touching on what to expect at particular stages of your journey so you are prepared and fully supported all the way.

Dads and partners too can feel isolated and it is often hard to see a partner struggle and feel unable to offer any support. For this reason we have included a section for dads and partners who want to find out all about breastfeeding and how to help their partner throughout the journey.

Get in touch to help Mumslikeus support you

If you feel there is anything missing or you’d like us to address a specific concern, please get in touch and let us know how we can better support and encourage your own successful and rewarding breastfeeding experience. Email ask@mumslikeus.ie or call our dedicated careline between 8.30 and 5.30pm Monday to Friday – Freephone 1800 283054.

An Aptaclub initiative to support & encourage breastfeeding in Ireland