Explain some Medical Considerations during Breastfeeding?

Let us look into some special concerns during breastfeeding that might be useful to you as a dietitian.

Medical Considerations: This is an area, which needs consideration. If a mother has a communicable disease like tuberculosis or hepatitis that could threaten the infant's health, then the mother and baby have to be separated. The mother can express her milk several times a day and feed the infant. In case of a mother with HIV infections, though the virus can be transmitted to the baby through milk, breast feeding the baby yet protects the infant.

Women with chronic diseases such as 5pe I diabetes continue to need careful monitoring and counseling to ensure successful lactation. They need to adjust their energy intakes and insulin doses to meet the heightened needs of lactation. Maintaining good glucose control helps to initiate lactation and support milk production.

Many drugs are compatible with breastfeeding, but some medications are contraindicated either because they suppress lactation or can be secreted into breast milk and thus harm the infant, As a precaution, therefore, the mother should consult her physician before taking any drug.