Food poisoning is an infection of the digestive tract caused by consuming contaminated food or water. This typically involves bacteria, viruses, parasites, or their toxins. While uncomfortable, breastfeeding mothers often worry if the illness can transfer to their infant through breast milk. Breast milk remains safe for the baby even if the mother has food poisoning, and continuing to breastfeed is recommended due to its many benefits.
How Breast Milk Protects
Food poisoning primarily affects the mother’s gastrointestinal system. The bacteria or toxins usually do not enter the bloodstream or pass into breast milk. Your milk remains a safe and beneficial source of nourishment for your baby.
The mother’s body produces antibodies in response to infections, which are transferred to the infant through breast milk. This transfer provides the baby with passive immunity, offering protection from the mother’s immune system. This can help protect the baby from developing the same illness or reduce its severity.
Breastfeeding can help protect the baby from the specific pathogens causing the mother’s illness. For instance, if a mother contracts “stomach flu” viruses like Norovirus or Rotavirus, her body produces antibodies that enter the breast milk, offering immune protection. This makes breastfed babies less likely to experience severe gastroenteritis.
Identifying Symptoms
Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever. These symptoms usually begin within a few hours to several days after consuming contaminated food. Most cases are mild and resolve within a few days without specific medical treatment.
If an infant shows signs of illness, such as lethargy, poor feeding, decreased wet diapers, fever, or irritability, these are unlikely to be from food poisoning transmitted via breast milk. These symptoms are more often due to another common infant illness or an infection acquired through direct contact. Signs of dehydration in a baby include abnormal drowsiness, dry lips and mouth, fewer tears, and fewer wet diapers.
If a baby exhibits any signs of illness or distress, such as a fever (especially for infants under 3 months), persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual changes in behavior, consult a pediatrician. Seek medical attention if a baby has a fever, is inconsolably crying, is unusually sleepy, or shows other concerning symptoms.
Continuing to Breastfeed Safely
Stopping breastfeeding is unnecessary and can be detrimental to both mother and baby. Discontinuing breastfeeding can lead to engorgement, reduced milk supply, and deprive the baby of important immune benefits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations recommend continuing to breastfeed even when the mother has food poisoning.
Maintaining good hygiene prevents the spread of germs. This includes frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially before touching the baby, preparing milk, or changing diapers. If the mother is too unwell to hold or feed the baby directly, expressing milk can ensure the infant still receives breast milk.
Staying well-hydrated aids the mother’s recovery and maintains milk production. Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so replenish lost fluids with water or electrolyte solutions. If the mother’s symptoms are severe or persistent, such as bloody diarrhea, a high fever, inability to keep fluids down, or dehydration lasting more than a day or two, she should seek medical attention.