Do Babies Nurse More When Sick?

Sick babies are more likely to nurse than to take anything else by mouth, so nursing is important to keep baby hydrated. Keeping baby well hydrated also helps keep the mucus secretions thinned out if baby has a cold or other congestion. So again, you want to nurse *more*.

Do babies drink more milk when sick?

The levels of immunity-boosting cells, called leukocytes, in your milk also rise rapidly whenever your baby is unwell. And because breast milk is very easy to digest, it's also the ideal food for babies with upset tummies.

Do babies eat more or less when sick?

You may need to feed your baby more often than usual as they will most likely eat less because their blocked nose makes feeding difficult. This is because babies only breathe through their nose (they have not yet started breathing through their mouths like adults).