Can you breastfeed an infant if you are sick?

When a mother falls ill (ARVI, influenza, intestinal infections, etc.), breast milk becomes especially valuable for the child because the mother's body initiates an active immune response. This includes:

Synthesis of antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM). Upon contact with viruses or bacteria, the level of immunoglobulins in the milk sharply increases, especially secretory IgA. It forms a protective film on the child's mucous membranes, blocking the penetration of pathogens.

Transfer of interferons and cytokines. During an infection, the milk contains more signaling proteins that activate the child's immune system and enhance its resistance to infections.

Lysozyme and lactoferrin. These proteins are secreted in increased concentrations during the mother's illness and act as natural antiseptics, destroying bacterial membranes and suppressing their growth.

Increased number of leukocytes in the milk. During the illness, the milk literally becomes "therapeutic": the number of live immune cells can increase by dozens of times. They not only protect the child but also "train" their own immune system.

Conclusions. Thus, each such episode is a "vaccination through milk." The child receives a set of antibodies and immune factors specifically against the pathogen that the mother encountered. This forms immunological memory and reduces the risk of severe disease progression in the child.

If feeding is interrupted during the mother's illness:

• The child loses "passive immune protection" - antibodies that are synthesized specifically for the particular pathogen.
• There is no immune training - their immune system encounters the pathogen "blindly," without ready-made protective molecules.
• The likelihood of developing the disease and severe progression increases - the body is forced to generate its own response, which occurs more slowly and less effectively in infants.