Breastfeeding: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:22, 16 November 2006

Revision as of 08:14, 17 November 2006

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===When breastfeeding may be harmful to the infant===

BreastfeedingTrue contraindications to breastfeeding rare. The vast majority of mothers will not encounter a situation that makes breastfeeding unsafe - but breastfeeding may be harmful to the infant if the mother:

* has HIV <ref>[http://www.unicef.org/programme/breastfeeding/hiv.htm Unicef] on breastfeeding and HIV; acquired [[2006-08-19]]</ref>

* has untreated pulmonary [[tuberculosis]] (see paragraph below)

* is taking certain medications that suppress the [[immune system]]{{fact}}

* is taking certain medications which may be passed onto the child through the milk. The vast majority of medications are compatible with breastfeeding{{fact}}

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* uses potentially harmful substances such as [[cocaine]], [[heroin]] and [[amphetamine]]s.<ref name=Gartner_2005>citation</ref> (Substances such as [[caffeine]], [[tobacco]], and [[alcohol]], while possibly harmful to the nursling if consumed in large quantities, are safe to use in moderation while breastfeeding -- see below)

Determining the infant's risk from exposure to an unsafe substance in breastmilk depends on the total quantity of the exposure which in turn depends on both a) the concentration of the substance secreted in breastmilk and b) the total volume of breast milk consumed.

The amount of medicine transferred through breast milk depends on the amount of breast milk consumed.

Breastfeeding is contraindicated in mothers with active, untreated tuberculosis infection. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics 2006 Redbook: <blockquote>Women with tuberculosis who have been treated appropriately for 2 or more weeks and who are not considered contagious may breastfeed. Women with tuberculosis disease suspected of being contagious should refrain from breastfeeding or any other close contact with the infant because of potential transmission through respiratory tract droplets (see Tuberculosis, p 678). Mycobacterium tuberculosis rarely causes mastitis or a breast abscess, but if a breast abscess caused by M tuberculosis is present, breastfeeding should be discontinued until the mother no longer is contagious.<ref>Transmission of Infectious Agents via Human Milk

The [[WHO]] advises mothers with Tuberculosis to continue breastfeeding. <ref>[http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/NUTRITION/Breastfeeding_Tub.pdf The WHO] on breastfeeding with Tuberculosis; acquired [[2006-08-19]]</ref> TB is transmitted through the air, so the risk for the baby is the same with breast or bottle feeding. {{fact}}

Red Book.; 2006: 124-128</ref> </blockquote>

In many areas of the world, interrupting breastfeeding presents an even greater risk to the infant (e.g. from unsafe drinking water used to mix breastmilk substitutes). In such cases continued breastfeeding is the safer alternative.

Infants with classic [[galactosemia]] cannot be breastfeed due to the lactose in breastmilk. [http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/contraindicators.htm]

In areas where BCG vaccination is the standard of care, The [[WHO]] advisesprovides motherstreatment withrecommendations Tuberculosisand advises mothers to continue breastfeeding. <ref>[http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/NUTRITION/Breastfeeding_Tub.pdf The WHO] on breastfeeding with Tuberculosis; acquired [[2006-08-19]]</ref>. TB ismay transmittedbe throughcongenitally theacquired<ref> Ramos airAD, soHibbard theLT, riskCraig forJR.," theCongenital babytuberculosis" is''Obstet theGynecol.'' same1974 with breastJan;43(1):61-4.</ref>, or bottleperinatally feedingacquired through airborne droplet spread. {{fact}}

Infants with classic [[galactosemia]] cannot beconsume breastfeedlactose dueand totherefore thecannot lactose inconsme breastmilk. [http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/contraindicators.htm]

===Health and diet===