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Home › Expert Q&A › Breastfeeding Basics › Benefits of Breastfeeding › Is it true that if I get a cold or other virus and am breastfeeding, that the baby won't catch my cold because I produce anti-bodies that are passed through my breast milk?

Expert Q&A

 

By Karen Zeretzke
IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

Is it true that if I get a cold or other virus and am breastfeeding, that the baby won't catch my cold because I produce anti-bodies that are passed through my breast milk?

It's more accurate to say that your baby will not get as ill as you do because he has gotten antibodies to your cold from the moment you began producing them. Many times babies who are breastfeeding don't get sick when a family member does...other times they do, but a much lighter case of whatever the illness is.

Since babies are exposed to family illnesses before those illnesses are even identified, it is very important that the baby continue to nurse and receive those antibodies!"

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