General Information for When Not to Breastfeed

Health professionals agree that human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants, including premature and sick newborns. But, there are rare exceptions when human milk is not recommended. Under certain circumstances, a doctor will need to decide on a case-by-case basis whether a woman's environmental exposure or her own medical condition warrants her to interrupt or stop breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is not advisable if one or more of the following conditions affect the mother or baby:

• An infant diagnosed with galactosemia (guh-lak-toh-SEE-mee-uh), a rare genetic metabolic disorder in which the body cannot digest the sugar galactose.

• The infant whose mother:
  • Has been infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or has acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). If you have HIV and want to give your baby breast milk, you can contact a human milk bank.
  • Is taking antiretroviral medications.
  • Has untreated, active tuberculosis.
  • Is infected with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or type II.
  • Is using or is dependent upon an illicit drug. Some drugs, such as cocaine and PCP, can affect your baby and cause serious side effects. Other drugs, such as heroin and marijuana can cause irritability, poor sleeping patterns, tremors, and vomiting. Babies can become addicted to these drugs.
  • Is taking prescribed cancer chemotherapy agents, such as antimetabolites that interfere with DNA replication and cell division.
  • Is undergoing radiation therapies; however, such nuclear medicine therapies require only a temporary interruption in breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Tobacco and Alcohol Use

If you smoke tobacco, it is best for you and your baby if you try to quit as soon as possible. If you can't quit though, it is still better to breastfeed since your baby is at higher risk of having respiratory problems and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of both of these health problems in your baby. Be sure to smoke away from your baby and change clothes to keep your baby away from the chemicals from the smoke on your clothing.

You also should avoid drinking alcohol, and especially avoid drinking large quantities of alcohol. An occasional drink is ok, but avoid breastfeeding for two hours after the drink. Also, many babies do not like the taste of your milk after you have had alcohol and will breastfeed more once the alcohol is out of your system.

Breastfeeding and Common Illnesses

Some women think that when they are sick, they should not breastfeed. But, most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, or diarrhea, can't be passed through breast milk. In fact, if you are sick, your breast milk will have antibodies in it. These antibodies will help protect your baby from getting the same sickness.