Supporting Sick Breastfeeding Moms: A Guide for Lactation Professionals

When a breastfeeding parent gets sick, their first reaction is often panic: Will I pass this to my baby? Should I stop nursing? What if my supply drops? As lactation professionals, we’re often the first call when parents feel overwhelmed and unsure. How we respond can make all the difference in whether they continue their breastfeeding journey with confidence or stop out of fear.

In these moments, our role is twofold: to provide calm, evidence-based reassurance and to offer practical strategies that help them protect their supply while prioritizing their recovery.

Reassure First: Breastfeeding While Sick Is Safe and Beneficial

Before diving into strategies, always begin with reassurance. Most parents are afraid that nursing will harm their baby, but the opposite is true. Breastfeeding while sick is not only safe but protective. The antibodies their body produces to fight off the illness are passed through their milk, helping to shield their baby from the very germs they are exposed to. Many breastfeeding parents report that even when the whole household is sick, their nursing baby either avoids it altogether or has a milder, shorter illness.

It's also essential to address the fear of supply loss. While it’s true that fatigue, dehydration, or missed feedings can cause a temporary dip, stopping abruptly during an illness can lead to issues like engorgement, clogged ducts, or mastitis. Assure your clients that continuing to nurse—while taking care of their body—can protect their supply and make recovery smoother.

Helping Clients Protect Their Supply Without Adding Stress

Illness drains the body’s energy, and supply can sometimes dip if regular milk removal is disrupted. Encourage your clients to prioritize hydration and nourishment. Water, herbal teas, broths, and electrolyte drinks can help replace fluids lost from fever or congestion. If eating feels difficult, small, frequent snacks with protein and healthy fats can support their recovery and milk production.

When it comes to nursing or pumping, emphasize that consistency matters more than perfection. If they feel too exhausted for their usual routine, shorter, more frequent feeds or pumps are still effective. Even 5-10 minutes can send the body the signal to keep producing. If they’re able to, spending a day resting skin-to-skin with their baby—sometimes called a “nurse-cation”—can reduce stress and stimulate supply naturally.

Safe Symptom Management Without Risking Supply

One of the biggest barriers for sick parents is fear around medications. Reassure them that many over-the-counter medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are safe and can help reduce fever and pain. For congestion, saline nasal sprays, steam inhalation, and humidifiers are effective, low-intervention options.

If they do need medication, advise them to check active ingredients. The biggest concern is decongestants containing pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed), which can reduce milk supply. If a decongestant is necessary, remind them to monitor their output and baby’s diapers and to reach out if they notice a dip. Encourage them to use resources like LactMed for medication safety checks or reach out to you for guidance.

When Clients Are Too Sick to Nurse Directly

In cases where a client is too ill to nurse, it’s important to help them maintain their supply without burning out. Recommend shorter, more manageable pump sessions if full sessions feel overwhelming. Even expressing by hand can relieve fullness and send the body signals to keep producing. If possible, having a partner or support person feed expressed milk can help the parent rest and recover without stress.

If a client is concerned about losing their supply, help them understand that supply often rebounds once they are well. Focus on small, sustainable actions during illness rather than perfection.

When to Be Concerned and Offer Additional Support

Although most parents recover without major setbacks, there are times when extra support is necessary. Encourage clients to reach out if they notice a sudden, persistent drop in supply that isn’t improving after a few days. Signs of mastitis—such as breast redness, pain, and fever—require prompt attention. If their baby seems frustrated at the breast or is having fewer wet diapers, it’s time to reassess feeding patterns.

The Power of Professional Community: Join Our Lactation Support Group

When we support breastfeeding parents through illness, we’re not just solving a temporary problem—we’re helping them trust their body and continue their nursing journey with confidence.

But as professionals, we also need support. Complex cases, medication questions, and new research emerge all the time, and staying current is easier with a strong community around us.

That’s why I host a Virtual Lactation Professionals Support Group—a space where we:
💛 Discuss real client cases and share strategies.
💛 Stay up-to-date with the latest research on medications, supply management, and clinical care.
💛 Build connections with other IBCLCs and lactation specialists.

If you’d love to collaborate, learn, and support each other in our work, I’d be honored to have you join us.

✨ Ready to connect? Join our Virtual Lactation Professionals Support Group and let’s support each other while we support our clients.

Let’s continue to be a source of confidence and care for the families we serve—while building a strong, supportive network for ourselves. 💛