We all know that breast milk is one of the most nutritious forms of milk that is essential for the adequate growth and development of infants, especially premature and sick newborns. Breast milk consists of water, fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and white cells; all of these help the baby to resist infections.
Of course, you have heard of all the positive things about breastfeeding, and many of you also feel that you are not being a good mother, if you don’t/can’t breastfeed your newborn. But, do you know there are significant reasons when your doctor advises you not to breastfeed your baby?
The following special cases can cause a new mother to avoid breastfeeding their baby:
1) If a mother is taking the following medications, breastfeeding should be avoided:
-Antiretroviral medications (for HIV+ patients)
-Anti-anxiety medications (patients with psychological abnormalities, such as depression, etc.)
-Birth-control pills
-Chemotherapy drugs (for cancer patients)
-Illegal drugs (regular consumption of marijuana, hashish, etc.)
2) If a mother is affected by the following disorders:
-AIDS: If a woman is positive for HIV infection or has AIDS, the HIV virus can pass onto the baby via the mother’s milk.
-Hepatitis: Mothers with hepatitis virus B or C infection are not contraindicated to breastfeed their infants; however, they need to make sure that their nipples are not cracked or bleeding. If yes, then avoid breastfeeding till the nipples heal.
-Active and untreated tuberculosis: If a mother has active/untreated tuberculosis, there are significant chances that the disease can be transmitted to the infant.
-Cancer: Women undergoing treatment for cancer should not breastfeed.
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3) Health conditions that may interfere with breastfeeding
–Diabetes: Breastfeeding moms often need tailor-made dietary instructions to prevent blood sugar levels from dropping during breastfeeding.
-Thyroid conditions or some bowel diseases: Women with such conditions may require regulating their caloric intake in order to maintain their own health during breastfeeding.
-Breast augmentation. Past breast surgery has been linked to breastfeeding difficulties.
-Disorder in the baby that can cause interruption in breastfeeding
-Newborns with galactosemia (a rare metabolic disease in which the body cannot digest the sugar galactose, found in milk and all foods that contain milk) should not be breastfed. Also, Babies with classic galactosemia should be fed a special diet that is free of lactose and galactose.
Avoiding to breastfeed your infant in such cases is rather a wiser decision, as this will protect the baby from getting the same infection you have.
Be aware and choose other healthy options for your baby.
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