Question
My child is six and a half months old and still breastfeeding. Since my milk supply is quite abundant, the baby hasn’t needed formula. I’ve caught a cold recently and am not taking medication. Can the baby get infected through my breastfeeding?
Answer
A cold, also known as an upper respiratory infection, is commonly caused by viral infections and can be transmitted through respiratory routes, primarily presenting with symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, headache, fever, and muscle aches. If a breastfeeding mother has a cold, and the baby is already six months old, the mother can take over-the-counter cold medicine formulated for adults without affecting breastfeeding. It’s important to take care of the baby by wearing a mask to prevent transmission to the baby.