Division of Community Nutrition
Subject: Breastfeeding Contraindications Policy: BF 05.0 Reference: N / A Effective: February 12, 2025 Supersedes: August 12, 2013
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I. Policy:
Breastfeeding is not recommended when the mother is experiencing untreated substance use disorder (SUD), is undergoing therapeutic doses of chemotherapy treatment, has been diagnosed with Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) has untreated Active Tuberculosis (TB), or when the infant has been diagnosed with classic galatosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). Participants who are HIV positive, should be educated about the CDC recommendations and encouraged to breastfeed, provided with the National Perinatal HIV/AIDS Hotline (1-888-448-8765), and referred to their healthcare provider. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special- circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/hiv.html,
II. Procedure(s):
A. Inform all participants of the following: 1) substance use disorder (SUD)
a. Advise participants who have untreated SUD or are chemically dependent or using unprescribed drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, opioids and phencyclidine not to breastfeed.
b. Advise all participants that not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. However, moderate alcohol consumption, meaning up to 1 drink in a day, is not known to be harmful to the infant. Participants should be educated about the CDC recommendations, encouraged to breastfeed and be provided with the CDC website for more information: Alcohol | Breastfeeding special circumstances | CDC.
c. Advise all participants who are undergoing active chemotherapy or have HTLV-1 not to breastfeed.
2) Advise participants who are suspected to have TB, or confirmed to have untreated active TB, breastfeeding may be resumed once the participant is known to be or rendered no longer contagious. Provide an electric pump loan and instruct the participant to pump and dispose of the milk if she desires to breastfeed after the diagnosis is confirmed. Educate about maintaining milk production while undergoing treatment.
Division of Community Nutrition
Subject: Breastfeeding Contraindications Policy: BF 05.0 Reference: N / A Effective: February 12, 2025 Supersedes: August 12, 2013
Page 2 of 2
3) Infants who have been diagnosed with classic galatosemia (galactose 1- phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency) should not be breastfed.
B. Communicate the risks involved to the participant if she is breastfeeding with any of the above conditions.