Patient's question:
My child is six months old and still breastfeeding. Since I have plenty of breast milk, the child has never had formula. I recently caught a cold and am afraid to take medicine. Can a breastfeeding mother with a cold transmit it to the baby?Doctor's answer:
A cold, also known as an upper respiratory infection, is commonly caused by viral infections. Clinically, it can be transmitted through the respiratory tract and primarily manifests with symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, headache, fever, and muscle aches. If a nursing mother catches a cold and the baby is already six months old, the mother can take traditional Chinese medicine formulations for colds, which will not affect breastfeeding. It is important for the mother to wear a mask while caring for the baby to prevent transmission.