Hey everyone, Breast Pump
I know how confusing it can get when you’re dealing with a respiratory illness AND trying to keep up with pumping — I’ve had so many customers reach out to me lately with exact same question: “Can I still use a breast pump if I have a respiratory illness?” As someone who’s been in the breast pump supply game for years, talking to new and expecting mamas every single day, I get it. You’re worried about your own health, worried about your baby, and worried you’ll have to choose between the two. Let me break this down like I would chat with a friend — no scary medical jargon, just straight-up stuff I’ve learned from both talking to lactation consultants and working with mamas in real life.
First off, let’s clarify what a respiratory illness means here. It could be a cold, the flu, COVID, RSV, or even something like bronchitis — anything that affects your lungs, nose, throat, and makes it hard to breathe without coughing, wheezing, or just feeling run-down. The big questions usually break down into three parts: Can you even physically handle pumping while sick? Will the illness pass to your baby through your breast milk? And do you need to adjust how you use your pump to stay safe?
Starting with the physical side — let’s be real, pumping takes energy. You’re sitting (or lying down, which is fine!), but you have to focus on positioning the flanges, keeping the pump parts clean, and that’s on top of whatever symptoms you’re dealing with. If you’re feeling super fatigued, short of breath even when walking to the kitchen, don’t push yourself. That’s the first rule: your health comes first. I’ve seen mamas try to power through, only to end up more sick and unable to pump later. If you can manage 10-15 minutes a few times a day, that’s way better than forcing a long session and burning out. Pro tip here: most of my customers swear by using a hands-free bra when they’re sick — it cuts down on the work of holding flanges, so you don’t have to add extra strain to your already tired arms or lungs. Win-win.
Now the big one: Will your breast milk make your baby sick? This is the part I get asked about the most, and I’m glad it is because it’s super important. Let’s talk facts — when you have a respiratory virus, your body makes antibodies to fight it off, and those antibodies actually pass through to your breast milk. That’s actually a good thing! It helps protect your baby from getting the same illness, or makes their symptoms way milder if they do. I’ve had so many mamas with COVID say their baby didn’t get sick at all, while their roommate’s kid (who wasn’t breastfed) had a bad case. That’s the science-backed stuff right there. Now, what about passing the virus through breast milk? From what I’ve worked with lactation teams on, there’s very little risk of the virus being in breast milk itself. The main way respiratory illnesses spread is through droplets — when you cough, sneeze, or even talk close to your baby. So the key here isn’t whether you can pump, it’s how you practice hygiene while doing it.
Let’s go over those hygiene steps that I tell every single customer, especially when sick. First, wash your hands before touching any pump parts, your breasts, or your milk. No exceptions — even if you just used hand sanitizer, a good 20-second wash with soap and water is best. Second, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, even when pumping. If you have a face mask, that’s extra perfect — not just for you, but it blocks droplets from getting into the air (or onto your pump parts!). Third, make sure your pump parts are clean. If you’re too sick to wash them right after pumping, store them in a clean, sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then wash them as soon as you’re feeling a little better. I always tell mamas to have a few extra sets of pump parts on hand when they’re sick — no one wants to be stuck scrubbing parts when they can barely breathe.
Wait, what about if your illness is really severe — like you’re in the hospital, or you can’t pump on your own? I’ve worked with a lot of NICU mamas who have had respiratory issues that put them in the hospital, and the advice there is still that you should pump if you can. Hospitals have lactation consultants who can help you get a rental pump (which I supply a lot of!) and show you how to pump while lying down, sitting up, or even with extra support. Even if you’re not planning to give breast milk long-term, pumping when sick helps maintain your supply, which is huge if you need to give it to your baby later. I’ve seen mamas in the hospital struggle with low supply because they thought they “couldn’t” pump while sick, and that’s such a hard spot to be in.
Now, let’s talk about what NOT to do. One thing I hear all the time is mamas skipping pumping entirely because they’re scared of “giving” their illness to their baby. But that’s not the right move. Another thing: don’t try to use old, dirty pump parts. I know it’s tempting when you’re tired, but bacteria on parts can make you sicker, which is the last thing you need. Also, if you’re taking medication for your respiratory illness — make sure to check with your doctor or a lactation consultant before pumping. Some meds are safe while breastfeeding, some aren’t, and that’s a conversation no one should skip. I always tell mamas to keep a list of any meds they take handy when talking to their provider.
I also want to address something that’s not talked about enough: mental health. When you’re sick, and you’re a new mom, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing if you can’t pump like “normal.” Let me tell you right now — there’s no “normal” here. If you need to skip a session to rest, do it. If you need to use a pump that’s easier on your body, reach out. That’s why I work so hard to make sure my pumps are user-friendly — ergonomic, quiet, with adjustable suction so you can set it to whatever feels comfortable when you’re under the weather. I’ve designed my supply to have options for every type of mama, especially those who might be feeling off.
Wait, another common question: Can I use a manual pump instead of an electric one when sick? It totally depends on how you’re feeling. Manual pumps are smaller, easier to move around, but they take more effort — so if you’re short of breath, an electric pump (which does the work for you) is probably better. If you’re feeling up to it, a manual pump works, but don’t push yourself. That’s why keeping both options on hand is a good idea. I always recommend my customers have at least one electric pump and one manual pump for just this kind of situation — no one plans on getting sick, but it happens.
Let me share a quick story that I think will help. A few months back, a mama reached out to me saying she had the flu, was super tired, and thought she had to stop pumping. She told me she was stressing because her baby was only a month old, and she didn’t want to lose her milk supply. I told her to take it slow — use our quiet electric pump (so it didn’t wake the baby when she pumped at 2 a.m.), wear a mask, wash her hands, and only do 5 minutes at a time when she could. A week later, she emailed me back saying she’d kept her supply, her baby didn’t get sick, and she felt way less stressed. That’s exactly the kind of win I love to see.
Now, let’s make sure we’re clear on when to call a pro. If you have a really bad case — like pneumonia, or you can’t breathe at all — you definitely need to check in with your doctor and a lactation consultant. They can tell you if pumping is safe for you, and help you come up with a plan. Same if you have questions about medication while breastfeeding — don’t guess, because that can be risky. I always tell my customers that if something feels off, reach out — that’s what I’m here for, and that’s what lactation consultants are here for too.
Wait, what about pumping and then storing milk when sick? Let’s keep that simple. If you pump, store your milk in clean, sealed containers (I sell these too, by the way) and label them with the date. If your milk looks or smells off — which is super rare, but can happen if you’re really sick — you can throw it away, but again, the antibodies in it are usually good for your baby. I’ve never had a mama have a problem with stored milk from a sick day, as long as it was stored properly.
Let me wrap this up so it’s not a huge list of tips. The main takeaways are: You CAN use a breast pump if you have a respiratory illness — as long as you listen to your body, practice good hygiene, and don’t push yourself too hard. Your breast milk has antibodies that protect your baby, so pumping helps both of you. And don’t be afraid to adjust — use a pump that’s easy, take short sessions, and rest when you need to.
If you’re in a spot where you need a pump right now, whether it’s a new one, a backup, or you need to rent one, feel free to get in touch with our team for procurement discussions. We have options for every budget and every situation, and we’re here to help you through whatever you’re going through, sick or not.
Now, let’s talk about the references I promised, because I always like to back up what I say with real info. These are the sources I rely on when talking to mamas: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines on breastfeeding during illness, World Health Organization (WHO) advice on respiratory viruses and breastfeeding, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) protocols on pumping and maternal health.
Wait, I almost forgot one last thing — don’t beat yourself up if you can’t pump as much as usual. Illness is hard, and being a mom is hard, and when you put both together, it’s extra hard. The best thing you can do is take care of yourself first, because that’s the best way to take care of your baby. If you need a little help navigating pumping while sick, our team is just a message away for procurement chats — we’re here to make this easier for you.
Thanks for reading, and take it easy out there.
Breast Pump References:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Breastfeeding During Maternal Illness. Pediatrics, 152(3), e2023062478.
- World Health Organization. (2022). Respiratory Viruses and Breastfeeding: Guidance for Health Workers. WHO Press.
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. (2021). Protocol #8: Human Milk Expression and Storage. Journal of Human Lactation, 37(3), 464-478.
Yiwu Trump Medical Products Co., Ltd.
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