Medical Conditions Precluding Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding may be ruled out by certain medical conditions in either the infant or mother. For example, infants with the disease galactosemia can't break down galactose, the major sugar in breast milk. These infants do not grow well if nursed and often suffer from vomiting and di­arrhea. If left untreated, the infants ultimately develop liver disease, cataracts, and mental retardation. A special infant formula free of galactose must be used. Breast­feeding may also be detrimental to infants with phenylketonuria; the high concentra­tion of phenylalanine in breast milk may overwhelm the impaired ability of these infants to metabolize this amino acid, leading to production of toxic products.

Some women can juggle both a job and breastfeeding, but others find it too cumbersome and decide to formula-feed. A compromise—balancing some breastfeedings, perhaps early morning and night, with formula-feedings during the day is pos­sible. However, too many supplemental formula feedings decrease milk production.

Mothers who take certain medications, which pass into the milk and adversely af­fect the nursing infant, may be advised to avoid breastfeeding. In addition, a woman in North America and other developed countries who has a serious chronic disease (such as tuberculosis, AIDS or HIV-positive status, or certain forms of hepatitis) or who is being treated with chemotherapy medications should not breastfeed. A final group can include immature mothers and those with mental problems.