One really strong argument in favor of allowing infants and toddlers to
breastfeed at their desire during stomach flu is the innoculation of
mother's breast with whatever organism is causing the flu.  This results
in activation of mother's immune system to stimulate and supplement
infant's own efforts to fight the illness.

In my personal (3 dau.) and professional experience, and in my dh's
family medicine practice, we have found that almost all breastfeeding
infants will generally prefer short frequent bursts of nursing during
the prodromal period.  Mothers who follow this cuing from their infants
generally don't have very sick infants.  Those who for whatever reason,
working and separated during longer periods of time, unwilling to allow
infant led nursing changes, etc, will generally have sicker infants.  We
believe this is because the infant is not obtaining this benefit for
breastfeeding.

Mothers are always amazed when we explain this wonderful "side-effect"
of infant lead breastfeeding.

I know there are several good references describing this on the web, but
I can't seem to bring any up tonight.  I have more "bookmarks" on my
office computer and will look tomorrow.

Melinda Hoskins, MS, RN