How to Determine When Not to Breastfeed

If you are pregnant, you may be trying to decide if you want to bottle feed or breastfeed. Some women aren't able to choose; they do not have the option of breastfeeding. They may not be able to breastfeed due to an illness of the baby or their own health issues. Below are the most common reasons that a woman may not be able to breastfeed her newborn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Talk with your doctor if you have a serious illness. Heart disease, kidney disease or severe anemia may prevent you from nursing.

2. Determine if any serious infection that you may have will prevent breastfeeding. AIDS or HIV may be transmitted to your baby through your breast milk. You should not nurse if you have active tuberculosis.

3. Avoid breastfeeding if you have a condition that requires you to take medication on a regular basis that may be harmful to your baby. Many medications for cancer, hypertension, or thyroid disorders are harmful to babies. You also should not nurse if you are taking sedatives or lithium.

4. Talk with your doctor if you have inadequate glandular tissue or if you have damage to the nerves to the nipple. You may attempt to breastfeed in these cases but you and your baby need to be closely monitored to be sure that your baby is getting enough milk to thrive and grow.

5. Talk with your doctor if you baby is lactose intolerant. Your baby may be unable to digest both cow and human milk. This condition if very rare in newborn babies.

Tips & Warnings

• A woman needs stores of body fat in order to produce milk. If you are extremely underweight, you may have difficulty building and maintaining a milk supply.
• You can nurse your baby if you have hepatitis A or B as long as your baby has received the proper vaccines.
• If you are unable to nurse from one breast due to damage from surgery, talk with your doctor about the possibility of breastfeeding from only one breast.
• If your baby is lactose intolerant, you may be able to pump your breast milk and treat it with lactase so that your baby can digest it.
• When you are nursing, always talk with your doctor before taking any medications.
• If you are abusing drugs or alcohol, refrain from breastfeeding.

Resources

• Support for Women Who Are Unable to Breastfeed
• Choosing a Formula