When can and when can't I feed my baby breast milk?

Breastfeeding is always welcomed by medicine, since mother's milk is the optimal biological and food product for a child. Even in the maternity hospital, they try to explain to each mother that it is necessary to breastfeed the baby, and that his development and health entirely depend on it. But, unfortunately, there are situations in which breastfeeding is prohibited, or it should be temporarily suspended. So, when can and when can't you feed your child breast milk? After all, any mother sincerely wants not to harm the baby. What situations are we talking about? [ 1 ]

When should you not breastfeed your baby?

Insisting on the preference of breastfeeding, experts emphasize that mother's milk is the best food and drink for a baby. Its composition is balanced by nature itself: the optimal ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, rich vitamin and mineral composition, as well as some hormonal substances and antibodies that can counteract infections. What can be better than this to offer a baby? The answer is obvious: mother's milk cannot be fully replaced by anything. But sometimes it happens that breastfeeding cannot be done so as not to harm the child. Can breastfeeding really have contraindications? Alas, it is. For example, it is strictly forbidden to offer your baby your own milk in such cases:

• if a child suffers from a certain type of enzyme deficiency or complex metabolic pathologies from birth – for example, galactosemia, valinoleucinuria, lactase deficiency, phenylketonuria;
• if the mother has been diagnosed with HIV infection, syphilis (if infected in the third trimester), or has an open form of tuberculosis infection;
• if the mother is diagnosed with particularly dangerous infectious diseases, such as tetanus infection, anthrax;
• in decompensated conditions of the cardiovascular, urinary, and respiratory systems in the mother;
• in advanced purulent mastitis;
• if the mother suffers from acute mental disorders;
• during chemotherapy, antibiotic therapy;
• if a baby is diagnosed with hemolytic disease as a result of an immune failure.

The last factor can be called relative, since in case of hemolytic disease the ban on breastfeeding can last only 1-2 weeks, depending on the specific case. Other relative (temporary) contraindications are:

• prematurity of the child with a score of less than 6 points on the Apgar scale;
• disturbances of the sucking and/or swallowing reflex in the baby;
• the presence of maxillofacial defects that prevent normal latching on to the breast and feeding.

In the situations described, the doctor himself will point out to the woman the impossibility of breastfeeding. Fortunately, this does not happen very often. We will tell you about more common cases in which mothers doubt the possibility of continuing breastfeeding below. [ 2 ]

Is it possible to breastfeed when you have a fever?

An increase in temperature in a lactating woman is a reason to see a doctor, because this symptom can be caused by many reasons, including those that exclude the possibility of breastfeeding. If the temperature rises for such common reasons as inflammatory processes and infections, then you can feed the baby, and it is not necessary, as was previously believed, to express and boil milk. The only contraindication may be the mother taking medications that are undesirable during lactation.

An increase in temperature during illness is a kind of protection of the body from an infectious agent. At the same time, the hypothalamus stimulates such an increase, due to which the body starts the processes of antibody production (and they, in turn, penetrate into breast milk and then to the baby). If you stop feeding at an elevated temperature, then this can cause serious harm - both to the mother and the child. Why?

Abrupt cessation of breastfeeding can lead to lactostasis, which, against the background of weakened immunity and high temperature, can easily be complicated by mastitis. Meanwhile, the baby will stop receiving protective antibodies present in milk, so it can be “attacked” by infection.

A high temperature is not a reason to stop feeding. The main thing is to find the cause of the disease and take appropriate measures after consulting with a doctor.

Is it possible to feed milk when you have a cold or runny nose?

Colds, runny noses and even coughing are not a reason to refuse breastfeeding. The only important condition: the sick mother must wear a medical bandage when applying the baby to the breast.

Scientists have proven that within a couple of hours from the onset of the disease, specific antibodies appear in mother's milk, which protect the baby from infection. If the mother's disease progresses, and other signs of deterioration appear, then you should seek medical help. As a rule, breastfeeding continues in this case, because doctors prescribe medications approved for nursing women. Stopping or suspending breastfeeding is discussed only if medications are prescribed that can harm the baby (this is despite the fact that it is not possible to use other, safer drugs).

Can you breastfeed if you have the flu?

Flu is a viral disease that is accompanied by the most unpleasant symptoms, including a runny nose, cough, sneezing, and high temperature. Of course, the last thing mothers want to do is "reward" their babies with all of this. Should they continue breastfeeding? Will this not contribute to the baby becoming infected? No, it will not, if the mother takes measures to prevent infection, namely, wears a medical bandage and changes it every two hours.

Do not forget that almost any infectious disease, including flu, has its own incubation period: usually it lasts 1-3 days. It is possible to say with 100% certainty that during this entire period the mother was in contact with her child and breastfed him, since she did not suspect the disease. Therefore, stopping breastfeeding at the first symptoms of flu will not help. On the contrary: by this time the breast milk already contains the antibodies necessary for the baby, which will protect him from the disease. It is not only possible, but also necessary for a baby to drink such milk.

Is it possible to breastfeed a child with mastitis?

Mastitis is an inflammatory reaction in the mammary gland, which often develops as a result of stagnant processes, lactostasis. And what is the best way to overcome lactostasis? That's right: regular feeding of the baby, ensuring a constant flow of milk. At the same time, the baby should drink from the sore breast, to improve the absorption of seals.

In cases where a woman needs to take antibiotics, they are prescribed from the list permitted during lactation. This is done in order to take treatment without stopping breastfeeding.

If the inflammatory process has gone too far and a purulent infection has joined in, then the question of whether it is possible to continue breastfeeding should be decided by a doctor. The decisive factors for stopping breastfeeding are severe pain when applying the breast and the increased risk of purulent discharge getting into the baby's body. There is no need to worry: after successful treatment of mastitis, breastfeeding can be fully restored.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have rotavirus?

Rotavirus infection is diagnosed quite often - especially in winter. What to do if a viral disease is detected in a lactating woman?

Experts are confident that continuing breastfeeding is extremely important for the baby, and this can be explained by the following factors:

• with mother's milk, the infant receives immunoglobulins that are capable of fighting pathogenic bacteria and viruses (in this case, rotavirus);
• milk will create specific protection for the baby, and also give him an energy boost to strengthen his immunity;
• Abrupt weaning is a strong stress for the baby, so stopping breastfeeding negatively affects the general condition of the child's body, as well as the quality of his immunity.

Of course, if a rotavirus infection is diagnosed, it would be wiser to consult with your doctor. However, most specialists definitely do not recommend stopping breastfeeding.

If you have a sore throat, can you breastfeed?

A sore throat can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as:

• laryngitis – inflammation of the larynx;
• tonsillitis, or sore throat;
• pharyngitis – inflammation of the pharynx;
• fungal infection of the mucous tissues of the throat.

Refusing to breastfeed when you have a sore throat is undesirable and unreasonable: there are no such compelling reasons to deprive your baby of essential nutrients and antibodies that will help him to withstand various illnesses.

In this case, it is necessary to visit a doctor. If the cause of the pain is tonsillitis or a fungal infection, then you will have to undergo treatment to avoid complications. The doctor will prescribe medications that are compatible with breastfeeding, so in any similar situation, you should not stop breastfeeding.

Can you breastfeed if you have herpes?

Herpes is a serious viral infection, and its peculiarity is that it is almost impossible to "drive" the virus out of the body. The only way out is to strengthen the immune system and reduce the frequency of relapses of the disease.

Most nursing mothers try not to breastfeed their babies when they have a herpes relapse, mistakenly believing that this will prevent infection. This statement is true only when the infection foci are located directly on the mammary glands. When the rash is localized on other parts of the body, breastfeeding is absolutely necessary, and there is no need to deprive the child of useful substances.

The question of prescribing antiviral drugs and immunostimulants during lactation is decided by the doctor. He must carefully weigh the complexity of the disease and the likelihood of a negative impact on the baby, and only then select the medication and its dosage. Self-medication for nursing mothers is strictly unacceptable.

Is it possible to feed milk when there is diarrhea?

If a nursing mother has digestive problems and diarrhea, this will not affect the well-being of her baby in any way - even if the malaise is caused by an intestinal infection. Such an infection can indeed get to the baby, but not through milk, but through unwashed hands or objects. Diarrhea is a symptom associated with problems in the digestive system, or is a consequence of other processes that do not affect the organs responsible for milk production. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the quality of milk in case of diarrhea, and it is impossible to infect the baby through milk in this case.

In addition, in case of intestinal infection, specific antibodies will be delivered to the child along with milk, protecting him from the disease.

The only thing a nursing mother needs to take into account is the increased risk of dehydration during diarrhea. During lactation, this condition is especially undesirable, so you need to take measures to correct digestion and drink enough fluids, replenishing lost moisture reserves.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have a sore throat?

Angina often proceeds severely, with a pronounced deterioration in health, an increase in temperature. But even such unpleasant symptoms are not a reason to protect the child from breastfeeding. Mother's milk is a unique natural product that benefits the baby even when the mother is sick.

It is important to remember the incubation period of tonsillitis: it can be 12-48 hours. And during this time, the mother continues to feed the baby, unaware of the disease. Therefore, if the child is destined to become infected, this may well happen at the incubation stage, and there is no point in further stopping feeding. Moreover, drinking the milk of a sick mother will allow antibodies to enter the child's body and actively counteract the infection. If you stop breastfeeding, the supply of antibodies will stop, and the child may not just get sick, but get sick with complications, because his own immune defense is not yet able to give a high-quality rebuff to the disease.

There is only one condition that any lactating woman who has a sore throat should remember: it is important to wear a medical bandage during any contact with the baby, as well as during feeding. The bandage is changed every 2 hours.

Is it possible to breastfeed after an x-ray?

The question of whether it is possible to breastfeed after an X-ray would hardly bother lactating women if it were not for the fact that this type of examination is a source of radiation. However, modern medicine assures that there is no reason to wean a baby on the day of an X-ray examination. Breast milk does not change its characteristics under the influence of diagnostic radiation, so a woman can safely breastfeed her baby upon returning home.

It is a completely different matter if the examination is carried out using radiopaque substances. Such special substances are used to improve the visualization of cavities, vessels, etc. Despite the fact that the bioavailability of the drugs used through mother's milk is theoretically reduced to zero, experts advise suspending breastfeeding for 24 hours after the examination. It is optimal to express the necessary milk dose in advance and feed it to the baby until the end of the dangerous period. Breastfeeding is resumed after 24 hours.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you are vomiting?

Vomiting is considered one of the signs of food poisoning: other symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and fever.

In case of food poisoning, it is almost impossible for pathogenic microorganisms to penetrate into mother's milk. But the protective antibodies produced by the female body are extremely necessary for the baby. Experts explain: theoretically, a child can become infected from the mother. But this does not happen through drinking milk, but through unwashed hands, food, and contaminated objects.

Therefore, you should not stop feeding. The main thing is to follow the generally known hygiene rules:

• wash your hands after using the toilet, after a walk, before eating, before feeding, before picking up the baby, etc.;
• wash toys, nipples and pacifiers, boil them if necessary;
• do not give the baby food or drink from the mother's dishes, do not use the same spoon, etc.

If the baby has similar painful symptoms, such as vomiting or loose stools, then a doctor’s consultation is a must.

Is it possible to breastfeed after anesthesia?

If a nursing mother requires surgery and anesthesia, then in most cases the surgeon will recommend stopping breastfeeding. There are many reasons for this:

• lack of conditions for a woman and her infant to be in hospital together;
• a woman taking a whole range of medications in addition to anesthesia (analgesics, tranquilizers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, etc.).

As practice shows, many doctors simply do not know whether a particular anesthetic drug will affect the lactation process and the baby’s well-being, so they advise stopping lactation.

How does it really work? Anesthetics used for general anesthesia do not affect the breastfeeding process and almost do not penetrate into the mother's milk. They are excreted mainly by the kidneys, liver, and respiratory system. And the portion of medications that does end up in breast milk is practically not absorbed in the baby's digestive system. Therefore, most anesthetics can be considered safe for use during lactation.

Let's look at the anesthetic drugs separately:

• drugs such as Halothane, Isoflurane, nitrous oxide, Thiopental, Etomidate, Fentanyl, Lidocaine, Naropin, Marcaine are considered the safest, since breastfeeding is allowed almost immediately after recovery from anesthesia;
• drugs such as Dormicum or Midazolam take longer to be eliminated from the body, so it is better to express milk after using the medication and breastfeed the baby no earlier than 4-5 hours after the administration of the drug;
• diazepines - for example, the well-known drug Diazepam or Relanium - are characterized by a long elimination period and enter the mother's milk, so a woman should express milk and begin feeding the baby no earlier than 8-9 hours after taking the drug;
• drugs such as Procaine, Articaine, Mepivacaine, Benzocaine, Levobupivacaine, Remifentanil have not been studied on this issue, therefore breastfeeding should be stopped while using them.

Every nursing mother should especially carefully monitor the baby's behavior after he is breastfed after anesthesia. Symptoms such as drowsiness, difficulty breathing, weak sucking should alert and become a reason for urgent visit to the doctor. Such signs are possible if large doses of drugs were used during anesthesia, or such drugs were administered repeatedly.

Is it possible to breastfeed after a cesarean section?

After a cesarean section, breastfeeding may be difficult at first – primarily for some physical reasons (it is difficult for the mother to get up, there is pain, etc.). Both because of the intervention itself and because of the use of anesthesia, milk often comes a little later – about a week after the baby is born. However, regardless of this, it is better to put the baby to the breast as soon as possible, if this is allowed by the drugs administered to the woman before, during and after the operation. As a rule, all medications should be compatible with breastfeeding, but it is better to additionally clarify this point with the doctor.

Even if there is no milk or a small amount, the baby should be put to the breast at least eight times a day. This will stimulate milk production. Of course, it is better not to give the baby water or formula. But if the doctor insists on using formula (for example, if the baby has lost a lot of weight), then they are given after putting the baby to the breast, but not before.

In most cases, the necessary milk supply will be established on the second or fourth day after regular latching of the baby.

Can I breastfeed while taking antibiotics?

Antibiotic therapy is prescribed to lactating women only in exceptional cases, when there is a special need. For example, antibiotics may be indicated for purulent tonsillitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, etc.

Antibiotics have different kinetic properties: some of them penetrate into breast milk completely, while others are not detected at all. The most harmless drugs include penicillin, cephalosporin, macrolide antibiotics, as well as some fluoroquinolone agents (in particular, Ciprofloxacin). Treatment with these drugs is allowed during lactation, and there is no need to stop breastfeeding.

If the doctor has to prescribe another antibiotic that can fully penetrate into the mother's milk, then the child must be fed with formula throughout the entire therapeutic course. If the woman subsequently wants to resume breastfeeding, she will need to express milk regularly so as not to disrupt milk production: if this is not done, then it will be almost impossible to restore lactation.

Can I breastfeed after taking Dostinex?

Dostinex is a popular product designed to end lactation. Thanks to this drug, women feel better, get rid of milk tides, avoid stagnation and, as a result, mastitis. But many do not think that self-administration of Dostinex is prohibited, since it can cause a number of adverse effects.

The essence of this medication is to suppress the production of prolactin, a hormonal substance responsible for milk production. Dostinex is not a hormonal agent, but one of its properties is to block dopamine receptors synthesized by the pituitary gland, and this is already a serious physiological change in the body.

Dostinex acts very quickly: a rapid decrease in prolactin levels is observed within three hours after the first dose. During this period, symptoms such as low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, tingling in the limbs and chest may bother you.

It is not advisable to feed a child after taking this medication for several reasons. Firstly, the process of feeding and even pumping can cause a repeated surge in prolactin production, which will require a new dose of Dostinex. Secondly, no one has conducted studies on whether the drug penetrates into breast milk and whether it is safe for a baby.

Some experts claim that you can feed your baby, but not earlier than 24 hours after the dose. Others do not recommend doing this earlier than 10 days. Still others insist that taking Dostinex implies a complete refusal of lactation, therefore it is better not to practice feeding after treatment at all. Your doctor will tell you how to act in such a situation. One thing is important: you should not risk your baby's health in any case.

Can you breastfeed if you have chickenpox?

Chickenpox, or varicella, is a viral infectious pathology that is usually classified as a "childhood" disease. However, adults also get sick with it, so nursing mothers are no exception. A woman can become infected in any public place, in transport, at a clinic, etc.

Only a doctor should diagnose chickenpox, as well as treat it. Self-treatment is strictly prohibited, especially since this disease in adulthood is especially often and dangerously complicated - damage to the respiratory system, liver, kidneys develops, arthritis, heart and nervous system disorders appear.

Breastfeeding a baby during chickenpox is not prohibited. It is believed that symptoms of the disease appear in an adult only a few days after infection, so the virus could already be in the child's body, and depriving the child of mother's milk will further aggravate the situation. During breastfeeding, the baby receives not only viruses, but also antibodies that protect it and help create specific immunity. The only option in which doctors will insist on stopping or suspending lactation is the mother taking antibiotics that are incompatible with breastfeeding. Usually, such drugs are prescribed in the presence of complications, or at a high risk of their development. In such a situation, the doctor will warn the woman in advance.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have thrush?

No one is immune from thrush – neither mother nor her baby. Moreover, a fungal infection can appear almost anywhere, even on the mother’s breast.

The Candida fungus is present in every human organism – usually in the intestines. It does not cause any harm, and only under certain favorable conditions does the fungus begin to multiply rapidly: thrush develops.

During lactation, candidiasis often affects the baby's oral cavity and the nipple area of the mother's breast. The baby becomes restless, up to and including refusing to breastfeed. Treatment is mandatory: it is prescribed by a doctor, both to the mother and the baby (even if signs of thrush are found in only one of them).

Breastfeeding during treatment for thrush is continued. However, milk expressed during the disease cannot be stored or frozen - it will have to be disposed of. If you feed it to an already healthy baby, he may become infected with candidiasis again.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have lactostasis?

Lactostasis is a phenomenon associated with milk stagnation in the milk ducts. The sensations of lactostasis are extremely uncomfortable: the mammary glands become dense, painful, hot; one gland or both can be affected. There can be many reasons for such a disorder, but most women are interested in the question: should I continue breastfeeding if lactostasis develops?

Let's say it right away: if the baby is latched on correctly, then it is possible and necessary to feed him. Breastfeeding is considered the best way to remove excess milk that accumulates and "clogs" the milk ducts. Expressing will not help to empty the breast as much as a baby can do when sucking.

The baby is fed first with the affected gland, and then with the healthy one. There should be no long intervals between feedings: the baby is fed on demand, as soon as he asks, you should give the breast. To improve milk flow and facilitate sucking, immediately before feeding, you should warm the mammary glands in warm water, or by applying a warm compress or heating pad. If the breasts are swollen and excessively dense, then instead of warming them, on the contrary, you should cool them - for example, apply a cabbage leaf with a temperature of about 16 ° C.

If other painful symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have staph?

The detection of staphylococcus in breast milk is, of course, not a reason to stop lactation. And if the woman and the baby do not have any symptoms of staphylococcal infection, then there is no need to rush with treatment. Why?

Staphylococci can be present almost everywhere: on the skin and mucous membranes, on objects, on clothes and even in the air. Therefore, when taking a sample, bacteria can appear in milk from anywhere - for example, from the hands or from the breast itself. It is important to understand that microbes do not multiply in the biological product itself, but get into its flow, for example, from the skin or from a wound on the nipple.

If a woman, or a baby, or both of them show signs of a staph infection, then you should contact a doctor who will prescribe therapy and assess the need to stop breastfeeding. In most cases, the child is prescribed general treatment, the mother is prescribed local therapy, and breastfeeding is maintained.

However, we repeat that this issue is resolved individually in each specific case.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have sinusitis?

Sinusitis – inflammation of the maxillary sinuses – can be caused by various microorganisms – bacteria, viruses and even fungi. Therefore, the treatment of the disease is also correspondingly different. Antibiotic therapy is usually carried out in acute sinusitis caused by gram-positive or gram-negative rods, streptococci, staphylococci, anaerobic microbes.

As a rule, breastfeeding is not stopped in case of sinusitis, since treatment is carried out either without the use of antibiotics or with the use of drugs compatible with lactation.

Most often, Flemoxin and Amoxiclav are prescribed to treat sinusitis in nursing women - these medications are not contraindicated during lactation, so it is not necessary to stop breastfeeding while taking them.

Incompatible with breastfeeding:

• tetracyclines (can inhibit the baby’s development, have a toxic effect on the kidneys and liver);
• Metronidazole, Tinidazole (may cause digestive problems in infants);
• sulfonamide drugs (have a negative effect on the heart);
• Levomycetin (has a toxic effect on the baby’s bone marrow and liver).

If the doctor insists on taking any of the above medications, the child is transferred to formula, and lactation is suspended for the entire period of treatment.

Is it possible to breastfeed if you have colic?

If a baby develops colic after breastfeeding, then almost any woman will have a question: what is wrong with my breast milk? Should I continue feeding, or is it better to switch the baby to formula?

In fact, breastfeeding is possible and even highly recommended. However, you will have to make a few adjustments:

• The mother should follow a special diet, with a limitation of fatty foods and refusal of fried, smoked, spicy food. Instead of regular milk, preference should be given to fermented milk products.
• It is important to pay attention to the correct attachment of the baby to the breast. If such attachment is incorrect, the infant will swallow air along with the flow of milk, after which colic is guaranteed. For correct attachment, it is necessary for the baby to completely capture not only the nipple, but also the entire areola.
• Almost all babies benefit from the "column" position: the baby is picked up and carried vertically immediately after feeding, until the characteristic burp appears (this is the air that got into the stomach during sucking). It is important to do this immediately after eating, since after a few minutes the air gets into the lower parts of the digestive system, and it will be impossible to expel it in this way.
• If the mother feeds the baby only with foremilk (for example, often changes breasts), then a large amount of carbohydrates and water gets into the baby's stomach. The enzymes and fats present in the hindmilk remain intact. As a result, the baby's digestive processes are disrupted, colic appears. To prevent this, you should feed the baby only with one breast at one feeding, or express the foremilk.

You have to stop breastfeeding only if your baby has lactose intolerance – that is, your baby’s digestive system simply cannot digest milk sugar. This is where the constant severe colic comes from. However, only a doctor can make such a diagnosis for your baby: you should not make any independent decisions about this.

Is it possible to breastfeed in case of poisoning?

It happens that a nursing mother discovers unpleasant symptoms in herself in the form of diarrhea, bloating, nausea and even vomiting. In most cases, the cause is poisoning or intoxication. Mild poisoning can be cured at home, but in case of severe vomiting, tachycardia, fever, you must definitely consult a doctor.

The question is different: if such signs are present, should you continue breastfeeding or stop it?

In case of normal poisoning of the mother, the baby is safe, because antibodies will enter the body with breast milk, preventing the development of infection in the intestines. To completely protect the child, the mother must follow hygiene rules, drink plenty of fluids.

In case of severe poisoning, the decision to continue breastfeeding is made by the doctor. This is due to the fact that the woman may be prescribed medications that are incompatible with lactation. If the doctor prescribes drugs that can be taken and combined with breastfeeding, then there is no need to wean the baby.

Is it possible to breastfeed if the child is poisoned?

If the baby has been poisoned, you should definitely seek medical help from a doctor. As for the possibility of continuing breastfeeding, almost all specialists are unanimous in their opinion: feeding is allowed and even recommended. Maternal bioproduct is an ideal means of normalizing intestinal microflora, protecting the child's body from a variety of infections:

• The protein lactoferrin inhibits the level of iron ions in liquid biological environments. Thus, it inhibits the reproduction of microbes, stimulates phagocytic activity, and interferes with metabolic processes occurring in microbial cells.
• The carbohydrate bifidus factor accelerates the synthesis of bifidobacteria and blocks the growth of pathogenic microflora in the intestines.
• Lactoperoxidase is an enzyme that disrupts metabolic processes and literally destroys pathogenic microbial cells.
• Immunoglobulins protect the child's body from infectious diseases, prevent the penetration of microbes, viruses, and allergens into tissues.

Thus, full and regular breastfeeding will contribute to the baby’s speedy recovery and normalization of the intestinal flora.

Is it possible to breastfeed someone else's child?

Feeding a baby with someone else's, donor milk is not approved by pediatricians. First of all, because with such a useful biological product, the child may also get various dangerous diseases, such as AIDS, viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus infection. In addition, both the child and the other nursing woman have their own individual microflora, which can be disrupted, causing stomatitis and other inflammatory processes.

Immunologists also oppose this practice. Everyone knows that mother's milk has different quantitative and qualitative composition, depending on the age and needs of the child. If the baby is offered someone else's milk, and not age-appropriate, then the immature child's immune system will be subjected to excessive stress, which can lead to unpredictable consequences. The digestive tract of the infant is also subjected to no less stress.

Taking all points into account, doctors do not recommend experimenting: if for any reason the question of using donor feeding arises, then the optimal solution would be to use high-quality adapted formulas.

Can I feed my baby expressed breast milk?

Expressing breast milk during lactation is considered absolutely normal. However, some women have to express milk constantly and then feed the baby not from the breast, but from a bottle. For example, this happens when the baby's mouth is abnormally shaped, when the mother's nipple is of a specific shape, when the baby simply cannot take the breast. There are many such reasons, but women want to give their child the best, so instead of switching to formula, they regularly express milk and then give the baby a bottle. Is it possible to do this? Of course it is possible - of course, if the mother has enough patience and strength.

In order to maintain lactation at the required level, pumping should be repeated at least six or seven times a day (a single portion should be approximately 110 g). It is also recommended to pump once at night, especially when the mammary glands are noticeably “filled”.

Each woman decides individually what to do the procedure with. Some find it convenient to do it with their hands, others - with a manual or electric device - a breast pump.

The expressed product is stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. A larger amount of milk can be frozen: it is perfectly preserved in the freezer for 12-16 weeks.

Can I feed my baby defrosted breast milk?

If a woman expresses milk in compliance with all hygiene requirements and uses clean containers for collection, then she can freeze her own product in order to defrost it and feed the baby if necessary.

In a freezer maintained at -18°C, milk can be stored for up to six months, although experts advise consuming it earlier – within 3-4 months.

The defrosted product cannot be put back into the freezer. It is suitable for consumption within 1.5-2 hours at room temperature, or it can be stored in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Any milk that the baby does not drink is poured out.

If the product separates into layers during the freezing and defrosting process, there is no need to worry: just mix the layers a little until smooth.

Defrosting should take place in the refrigerator, not in the microwave or on the counter at room temperature. It usually takes about 12 hours in the refrigerator.

Breast milk does not lose its nutritional value when properly collected and frozen, so it can be safely used to feed your baby.

Is it possible to breastfeed an older child?

It happens that a lactating woman gets pregnant again and gives birth to a second child. She wants to breastfeed both the first and the second - after all, the age difference between them is small, only about a year. Is it possible to breastfeed two children at the same time - an older and a younger one?

There is no single answer to this question, as the opinions of experts are divided. On the one hand, this approach allows strengthening the immunity of babies, eliminates the problem of jealousy of children to each other. But on the other hand, milk for an older child does not quite meet the age needs, and double feeding adds worries and fatigue to the mother.

However, this possibility cannot be ruled out. And if a woman decides to double feed, she should read the following recommendations:

• babies should be fed at the same time;
• At the next feeding, give the child a different breast than the one he sucked on the previous time.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of unclear situations with feeding. However, if you know exactly when you can and cannot feed your baby with breast milk, most questions disappear by themselves.