Where breastfeeding is not advisable

Breast feeding is regarded as the most complete kind of nutrition for all infants. However, there are some cases where it is not advisable. Physicians need to consider each case on its merits to decide whether there are factors that warrant either interruption or preclusion of breast feeding.

Breast feeding is not advisable for women where any of the following conditions apply.

· treatment involving drugs that are secreted in breast milk – narcotics, barbiturates, steroids, anticoagulants or anticonvulsants

· taking of antiretroviral medication

· dependency on illicit drugs

· taking of cancer chemotherapy agents

· undergoing radiation therapy (temporarily)

· suffering from untreated, active tuberculosis

· infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or II

· HIV positive status