Breastfeeding Question

[fishes]

So last night DH's stomach illness struck me. It was miserable and I got very dehydrated very fast. And our next thought was we really, really hope neither of the boys get it - if it hit them like it did me, I'm sure we would be in the hospital.

So he just came and asked me about how BFing & antibodies work  - if I were to pump extra and spike DS1's sippy cup, would it help protect him? (He was too embarrassed to ask people he knows who might actually know the answer to this)

back to my nap...

[puck1182]

I can't say for sure, but logically it makes sense. Since you're sick, you are producing antibodies for that specific virus, an those antibodies would be in your milk. It may not prevent your DS from getting sick altogether, but if he's exposed to those antibodies maybe it would help him get over it faster or make the symptoms milder if he does get sick. I mean, I know that's how it supposedly works with infants, so it makes sense it would work the same way with older children whose immune systems aren't fully developed yet.

[ericalee27]

Feb 20, 2015 13:39:01 GMT -5 puck1182 said:

I can't say for sure, but logically it makes sense. Since you're sick, you are producing antibodies for that specific virus, an those antibodies would be in your milk. It may not prevent your DS from getting sick altogether, but if he's exposed to those antibodies maybe it would help him get over it faster or make the symptoms milder if he does get sick. I mean, I know that's how it supposedly works with infants, so it makes sense it would work the same way with older children whose immune systems aren't fully developed yet.

I have no real basis for this, but I was thinking the same thing as Puck.

[fishes]

Yeah, I don't know how well it will work since it wouldn't be to the same level of this is his only food that he eats all day long - but we figure it's at least not going to hurt him any to try it.