Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
There are ways that you can help to support and build your baby’s immunity during pregnancy as well as when your baby is born.
During Pregnancy
Vaccination during pregnancy not only protects you but also provides protection to your unborn baby as antibodies are transferred via the placenta to baby. This immunity provides protection for several months after birth. This is important as your baby’s immune system is immature and less able to fight illness-causing germs.
During pregnancy (from about 16 weeks) you will start to produce colostrum, the first breast milk. It has an important role and provides infection-fighting antibodies which develops your baby’s immune system and helps to fight infection. Colostrum also helps your baby to have a healthy gut by coating the intestines keeping harmful bacteria from being absorbed. Colostrum is produced in small amounts, is thick and usually a golden yellow colour (often referred to as liquid gold). It is a very concentrated food, so your newborn baby will only need a small amount, about a teaspoon, at each feed.
You may wish to consider colostrum harvesting please speak to your midwife for advice and guidance on how to do this safely
It is important to have uninterrupted skin to skin contact for at least an hour after birth or after your baby’s first feed or bottle feeding. This practice promotes colonisation of your baby’s skin with your friendly bacteria (microbiome), providing protection against infection.
If your baby needs special care after they’re born, it may not be possible for you to hold your baby straight away. The maternity team will support you to gently touch your baby or hold their hand.
Feeding your baby
Breastmilk helps to protect your baby from infections and diseases. Any amount of breastmilk whether it is one feed or longer, has an impact on your baby’s immunity. If you chose not to breastfeed, perhaps you may consider giving baby a few feeds of colostrum to provide the health benefits it offers.
The specific factors in breastmilk which help protect babies from infection and inflammation are vast and science is only beginning to unravel some of their complex functions. Human breastmilk is a living fluid which provides the perfect nutrition for baby and includes hundreds of constituents to protect baby from infection. These include:
- Antibacterial and antiviral elements
- Antibodies, white blood cells, stem cells and protective enzymes
- Sugars (oligosaccharides) which are prebiotics that selectively encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria (probiotics). They also reduce the risk of illness because germs bind to the oligosaccharides in the baby’s gut and is eliminated in baby’s stool.
Protecting your baby from various illnesses is dose related. The more breastmilk your baby receives, the lower the risks are from colds and flu, diarrhoea and vomiting, ear and respiratory infections resulting in with fewer visits to the GP or hospital.
Should I breastfeed if my baby is sick?
It is important to continue breastfeeding if baby becomes unwell as the composition of your breast milk responds and produces immunity-boosting cells, called leukocytes to help baby fight the infection. Breast milk contains antibodies, white blood cells, stem cells and protective enzymes that fight infections and may help with healing. And because breast milk is very easy to digest, it’s also the ideal food for babies with upset tummies. Breastfeeding your sick baby aids their recovery, as well as comfort.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s health or milk intake, always seek medical advice.
Can I safely breastfeed if I am sick?
If you’re exposed to a bacterial or viral infection, your body makes antibodies to combat it; these are then transferred to your baby through your milk. With most common illnesses like a cold or flu, it is safe to continue breastfeeding your baby as long as you take proper hygiene precautions like handwashing. Continuing to breastfeed will help you to maintain your milk supply and will provide your baby with protection against the illness you are experiencing.
However, being sick and continuing to breastfeed can be tiring. You’ll need to look after yourself so you can look after your baby. Keep your fluid levels up, eat when you can, and remember your body needs extra rest.
If you must take medicine whilst sick and are worried about what is safe whilst breastfeeding, please consult with a medical professional or consult the Drugs in Breastmilk Information Service.
What if I chose not to breastfeed or partially breastfeed?
If you chose not to breastfeed, perhaps you may consider colostrum harvesting so baby can get a few feeds of colostrum and the protection it provides.
Sometimes, breastfeeding does not work out as you had planned or you wish to combine breastmilk with first stage formula, you can be reassured that any volume of breastmilk is important for your baby and has a positive effect. The longer you breastfeed, the longer the protection lasts and the greater the benefits Breastfeeding has long-term benefits for your baby, lasting right into adulthood.
How to prepare infant formula and sterilise feeding equipment to minimise the risk of infection.
It is important that infant milks are made up safely, one feed at a time as needed (throw away any unused formula or breastmilk after you’ve finished bottle feeding your baby). Powdered infant formula is not sterile and needs to be made up a temperature which will kill any potential bacteria present. The current NHS guidance for making up powdered infant formula safely recommends using water that has been boiled in a kettle and cooled to no less than 70 degrees C to kill any potential bacteria present.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a safe and important way of protecting your baby against lots of different illnesses and diseases.
You’ll find all the information you need about which vaccinations your baby will be offered and when in the Red Book (your child’s personal health record), but this information is also available on the NHS website.
Useful links
Importance of Breastfeeding – La Leche League International
Breastfeeding and immunity | Australian Breastfeeding Association
Breastmilk composition – the research | Australian Breastfeeding Association
