My PG friend thinks she can't BF (medical related)

just got off the phone with my friend. she's due 2months after me. she just came from the doctor office and was told she probably can't BF. she's devasted b/c she was looking forward to do it full time (she'll be a SAHM).

she mentioned she's a carrier of hepatitis B and the doctor told her she probably can't BF.

anyone know anything about this? i know that the baby is suppose to get the vaccine after birth so they don't get it but not sure about BFing.

TIA!!

Re: My PG friend thinks she can't BF (medical related)

A baby can become infected with Hep B in utero. In the US breastfeeding is frowned upon with a communicable illness because there is no problem with the water supply to mix formula.

Re: My PG friend thinks she can't BF (medical related)

I had heard breastfeeding is not recommended for mothers who have any form of hepatitis or HIV. If your friend wants to get another opinion though, she could talk to a pediatrician or another OB-GYN.

I found out it's best that I don't breastfeed our little boy because of a medication I need to take to control a chronic condition. I was also really upset about it initially, then people reminded me that many babies are healthy with formula, and I can still bond with our baby over feedings. Now, I've accepted it, but at the time I felt like I was a bad mother, eventhough I decided to skip BFing for our benefit.

If your friend is on the board, she's welcome to FM me just to talk about her feelings--I can't say much more about her circumstances, but I can understand her disappointment.

Re: My PG friend thinks she can't BF (medical related)

Posted by cjik

I had heard breastfeeding is not recommended for mothers who have any form of hepatitis or HIV. If your friend wants to get another opinion though, she could talk to a pediatrician or another OB-GYN.

I found out it's best that I don't breastfeed our little boy because of a medication I need to take to control a chronic condition. I was also really upset about it initially, then people reminded me that many babies are healthy with formula, and I can still bond with our baby over feedings. Now, I've accepted it, but at the time I felt like I was a bad mother, eventhough I decided to skip BFing for our benefit.

If your friend is on the board, she's welcome to FM me just to talk about her feelings--I can't say much more about her circumstances, but I can understand her disappointment.