How do I know if I should NOT breastfeed my child?
Many mothers set out to breastfeed their children, often with the best and sincerest of intentions. However, there are certain cases wherein moms may have to think twice about giving their breast milk to their babies. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., mothers should avoid breastfeeding their babies if one or more of the following conditions is true:
• She is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• She is taking antiretroviral medications.
• She has active and/or untreated tuberculosis.
• She is using or is dependent upon an illicit drug.
• She is taking prescribed cancer chemotherapy agents.
• She is undergoing radiation therapies. (Note: Nuclear medicine
therapies should only interrupt breastfeeding temporarily.)
• She is infected with human T-cell lymphotropoc virus type I or type II.
In addition, infants who have been diagnosed with galactosemia, a rare genetic metabolic disorder, should not be breastfed.
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