Breastfeeding, Lactation, & Measles: A Simple Guide

What is Measles?

Measles is a very contagious viral illness.

• It causes fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash.
• Young babies and adults can get very sick.
• Vaccination is the best way to protect against Measles.

How Measles Affects Babies

Babies can get measles before or after they are born.

If a baby gets measles right after birth, it can be mild or severe.

As babies grow, they have some protection from mom’s antibodies.

Children can be vaccinated for measles at 1 year of age.

Is it Safe to Breastfeed?

It depends. Breast milk does not carry the measles virus. It does carry special antibodies that help protect your baby, so breastmilk is safe. You can give your baby measles from a runny nose or cough if you have measles.

• If you have measles when your baby is born: It is most likely safe to breastfeed. Your breast milk will give your baby helpful antibodies.
• If you have measles after your baby is born: You should pump your breast milk and have another healthy caregiver feed it to your baby. Keep your baby in a safe, separate area until your baby has been treated (if needed) and until at least 5 days after your rash began.
• If you have measles after your child is vaccinated: Nursing children under 4 years old will only have had one measles vaccine. Because measles is so serious, we still recommend that you pump your breast milk and have another healthy caregiver feed it to your child. Keep your baby or child in a safe, separate area until they have been treated (if needed) and until at least 5 days after your rash began.

Keeping Yourself and Your Child Safe During Measles

• Watch for exposure
  • If your baby was near someone with measles, call your doctor right away.
  • Your baby may need an injection of antibodies (called “Ig”) to help fight the virus.
• Limit close contact until you are less contagious.
  • You are most contagious from 4 days before to 4 days after your rash starts.

Vaccines and Breastfeeding

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles.
• If you need an MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine while you are breastfeeding, it is safe for your child.
• The vaccine cannot give your child measles.

When to Get Help

• Call your healthcare provider if you or your baby have a fever or rash.
• Ask about antibody shots and when it’s safe to be close again.
• If you have questions about pumping or storing milk, your doctor or a lactation specialist can help.

Remember: Breastfeeding helps protect your baby. With the right steps, you can keep your baby safe even if you have measles.