Advice regarding breastfeeding for mothers with possible H1N1 infection

http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/aapnews.20091012-1v1

I wish more health professionals agreed with this statement from the article...

"Although the most effective way to prevent influenza transmission is complete
separation from her infant when a mother is receiving antiviral treatment,
separation may create more long-term problems in breastfeeding success and
mother-infant bonding than any potential benefit achieved from avoiding
infection in the newborn infant."

While recently in the hospital, during my entire stay it was suggested that I not nurse for 14 days. Hu? 14 days would mean possibly having my daughter wean. Would she be better off if her immature immune system tried fighting any type of virus on her own? Weighing the pros and cons in this situation can certainly be helpful! Information can be powerful!

Read more...

CDC and Swine Flu and Breastfeeding

Recomendations (from CDC)
&
from Breastfeeding Pharmacology
Thomas W. Hale, R.Ph. Ph.D.Professor of Pediatrics)

Infants who are not breastfeeding are particularly vulnerable to infection and hospitalization for severe respiratory illness. Women who deliver should be encouraged to initiate breastfeeding early and feed frequently. Ideally, babies should receive most of their nutrition from breast milk. Eliminate unnecessary formula supplementation, so the infant can receive as much maternal antibodies as possible.

If a woman is ill, she should continue breastfeeding and increase feeding frequency. If maternal illness prevents safe feeding at the breast, but she can still pump, encourage her to do so. The risk for swine influenza transmission through breast milk is unknown. However, reports of viremia with seasonal influenza infection are rare.

Expressed milk should be used for infants too ill to feed at the breast. In certain situations, infants may be able to use donor human milk from a certified milk bank.

Antiviral medication treatment or prophylaxis is not a contraindication for breastfeeding.