Just thought it might help to share my personal experience here..

When my baby (Emily) was around 6mo? (and I was tandem feeding with her
sister Rose - 2.5yo) my toddler got her first cold sore.  As a precautionary
measure I immediately allocated "one breast per child" until the toddler's
cold sore had cleared up.  When she had a couple of outbreaks within a few
months, I allocated them a breast each permanently.

During the outbreaks, I used zovirax (sp?) on Rose, and used an essential
oil mix (can't remember exact oils now) on "her" breast after feeds (washing
off before the next feed)  I also took Lycine, which is supposed to protect
against cold sores, and gave it to Rose as well.

I never got a lesion on my breasts, and the virus was not passed to her
sister (until the last month or so - not breastfeeding related - Rose weaned
last year)

I'm a bit behind on lactnet, so not sure if this is useful or not, but if
the mother has lesions only on one side, then she could allocate a breast
each to the two nurslings.  If they are on both - is there any chance of
covering the lesions during a feed? (obviously depending on exactly where
they are located)  The toddler may be prepared to stop nursing temporarily
while the lesions are still there.  The worst I could see happening was that
the toddler would also get a cold sore - not the ideal situation, but not
likely to be life-threatening.

Dulcie Bridges
Western Australia
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Mum to Rose (4.5y) and Emily (2.5y)

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