Following are the only valid scenarios of Absolute contraindications of a breastfeeding
- Maternal Drugs Cytotoxic drugs Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate
- Infant Galactosemia or Phenyl Ketonuria
- Mother is using an illicit street drug (Substance Abuse)
- Maternal Ebola Virus Disease- suspect or confirmed
- Mother is infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or type II.
- Mother is infected with HIV and not on ART (Details to follow in subsequent posts)
Mothers should temporarily NOT breastfeed or use Expressed breastmilk-
- Maternal Use of Radioactive compounds in last 48 hrs, like Gallium 67 (67Ga), Indium 111 (111 In), Iodine 131 (131I), Technetium99m (99mTc).
- Untreated brucellosis
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) lesions present on the breast (can feed directly or use expressed milk from the unaffected breast)
- Certain Drugs (details to follow in subsequent post)
Mothers should temporarily NOT breastfeed, but CAN feed expressed breast milk in following scenarios
- Active tuberculosis – may resume breastfeeding when no longer contagious after initial 4-6 weeks of ATT
- Active varicella infection and lesions on breasts (5 days prior to delivery to the 2 days following delivery). Can direct breastfeed once lesions start crusting.
Pediatric Practice... Pearls for your Pediatric Office Practice 