Nursing through a Child’s Illness
My two-year-old has some sort of virus. I’ll spare you the graphic details and simply say that this is one of those times when I’m so glad to be breastfeeding. When solid food doesn’t appeal to her, breast milk still does. Breast milk actually helps her feel better and settles her tummy when she cannot keep anything else down. She doesn’t get dehydrated, and I feel like I’m giving her “medicine” with the antibodies in my breast milk.
Breastfeeding is the ultimate soother and it helped her drift off to sleep about 15 minutes ago. She hasn’t napped this early in at least a year. She must really need it, and I’m so glad that she settled peacefully and happily through nursing.
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5 opinions for Nursing through a Child’s Illness
Shelly
Mar 7, 2007 at 10:37 am
When my daughter was 16 months old, she caught a stomach virus. Breastmilk was the only thing she could keep down. What a relief it was knowing that I was providing her with nutrients as well as comfort!
Eilat
Mar 7, 2007 at 5:02 pm
My 18 month old got the stomach flu three weeks ago. We were visiting my parents in NJ (were from CA) and when I called the pediatrician she told us to take him to the ER to stop the vomiting. The poor thing couldn’t keep anything down. Not even breastmilk. Nevertheless we sat at the hospital for 4 hours. My little guy was latched on the whole time and the slow drip of milk that he got kept him from getting dehydrated, even though he puked up milk and water every 30 minutes or so.
Thank goodness for breastfeeding. He would have needed an IV otherwise. And the next three days all he did was nurse. What would I have done without breastfeeding?
I never needed a reason for extended nursing. We do it because we enjoy it. But now I have a reason to give the next time a skeptic asks me why im “still” breastfeeding.
Angela
Mar 7, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Shelly, thanks for your comment!
Eilat, I’m glad your son is alright now — how scary! My little one is still sick but is generally happy. I’ll have to keep a close eye on her overnight. I agree with you on the extended nursing. It works for us and we don’t need another reason — but there are many reasons and benefits!
Hanmee
Mar 8, 2007 at 7:16 am
I’m sorry to hear your little one is sick. I am glad the breastfeeding is providing both nutrition and comfort. Speedy recovery!
Before having my first, I never thought of extended breastfeeding. I wasn’t against it. Just thought I would stop at a year. Unfortunately, breastfeeding and supply have both been issues so I EP, but if I ever get Bfing to work out (if I have any more kids) I will be happy to practice extended breastfeeding, if the baby is up for it.
Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » Update on Nursing through a Child’s Illness
Mar 8, 2007 at 2:52 pm
[…] My two-year-old is feeling much better today. Yesterday she couldn’t keep down any food in spite of her interest in solids. I told her that she could have food again once she stopped spitting up and in the meantime she could nurse. She was alright with that but told me that she’d be all better the next day, “I promise!” (She learned that phrase when I made her promise not to stick any more pieces of cantaloupe up her nose!) […]
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