17.7: Contraindications to Breastfeeding

Although there are numerous benefits to breastfeeding, there are also risks that must be considered in some cases. A new mother with HIV should not breastfeed in the developed world because the infection can be transmitted through breast milk. These women typically have access to a safe bottled formula and can be used as a replacement for breast milk. However, in developing nations where HIV infection rates are high and acceptable infant formula can be challenging to come by. Many newborns would be deprived of the nutrients they need to develop and grow. Also, inappropriate or contaminated bottle formulas cause 1.5 million infant deaths each year. As a result, the WHO recommends that women infected with HIV in the developing world nurse their infants while taking antiretroviral medications to lower the transmission risk.

Breastfeeding also is not recommended for women undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Additionally, if an infant is diagnosed with galactosemia, meaning an inability to process the simple sugar galactose, the child must be on a galactose-free diet, excluding breast milk. However, this genetic disorder is a rare condition and only affects 1 in thirty- to sixty thousand newborns. When breastfeeding is contraindicated for any reason, feeding a baby formula enables parents and caregivers to meet their newborn’s nutritional needs.

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