Many patients came to me with concerns that if they became infected with monkeypox they would have to stop breastfeeding…
So I decided to give you all the current recommendations here so that you can make an INFORMED decision.
First of all, basic information:
The disease is of viral cause and is transmitted by fomites, direct contact, from mother to fetus, or sexually.
Common symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, lack of energy and swollen lymph nodes, accompanied or followed by a rash that can last 2-3 weeks.
There is currently no evidence on the risk of viral transmission to the infant during breastfeeding, whether via the breast milk, direct contact with maternal skin lesions or via large droplet spread.
It is common that when the mother is diagnosed, the infant is already infected.
Now, the recommendations at the moment:
If mother and infant are infected, breastfeeding should not be interrupted. The desirability of keeping them together and maintaining breastfeeding, which could provide antibodies to the infant, should be assessed.
If only the mother is infected, PROFESSIONAL ADVICE IT'S NECESSARY BEFORE STOPPING TO BREASTFEED. The doctor and lactation specialist will evaluate the risk-benefit ratio considering the socio-economic and health situation, the risk of acquiring the infection compared to the risk of stopping breastfeeding , and determine whether separation of mother and infant and/or cessation of breastfeeding is necessary.
If it is possible for the mother to continue breastfeeding and have close contact with the baby, they will advise her on how to reduce the risk by taking measures such as covering body areas affected by the rash and wearing a mask to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
Balance must be sought between the risk of infection and the possible damage and distress caused by the interruption of breastfeeding and direct contact between mother and child.
It is not yet known if monkeypox virus can be transmitted through breast milk; more studies are needed.
I really hope this information help many mamas to make an informed decision. Please find an up-to-date breastfeeding-friendly practitioner or a breastfeeding specialist for advice if you're sick and breastfeeding.
You can read more about monkeypox and breastfeeding here:
By Paola Vallarino IBCLC CBS IEP.
*Not medical advice, this post is made for educational purposes only.
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