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| BREASTFEEDING AND SWINE 'FLU (H1N1 Flu) |
AUSTRALIAN BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION FACT SHEET July 2009
BREASTFEEDING AND SWINE 'FLU (H1N1 Flu)
This virus, first identified in Mexico in April 2009, spreads from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing. A vaccine is currently being developed.
Prevention is important. This can be done through careful hand washing and drying, covering of the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and not sneezing or coughing over baby.
Health authorities around the world have released guidelines on breastfeeding and the H1N1 virus. They advise that breastfeeding should continue and increase in frequency if needed.
Breastfeeding if mother is sick
In a 1 May 2009 press release, the President of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), Angela Smith, stated that, 'We urge all health care providers and families to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding during this and other times of emergency. New mothers need accurate information and support to continue providing their infants with the best protection of all: a mother's milk.' (www.ilca.org).
If a mother is very sick, she may need help to express breastmilk for her baby. If expressed breastmilk is not available, the use of milk from a human milk bank could be considered. When a mother is taking medication, her baby should continue to breastfeed.
The US-based Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine in a media release dated 12 May 2009 states:
'New guidelines urge physicians to support continued breastfeeding even if the mother is suspected of having H1N1 influenza virus, since the infant would likely have been exposed to the virus before the mother's symptoms appeared. Continued breastfeeding may help limit the severity of respiratory symptoms in infants that become infected.' (www.bfmed.org).
Taking anti-viral medication is compatible with breastfeeding according to the experts.
Breastfeeding if baby is sick
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a sick baby needs to be fed frequently. If a baby is too sick to feed directly from the breast, breastmilk could be offered by use of a spoon, dropper, cup or bottle. (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/breastfeeding.htm)
If you are concerned about any aspect of the H1N1 virus, see your doctor or medical adviser.
For more information refer to related links below:
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
- www.bfmed.org
- International Lactation Consultant Association
- www.ilca.org
- New South Wales Department of Health
- www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/factsheets/pregnant.asp
- RACGP
- www.racgp.org.au/h1n1/32426#9
- United Kingdom NHS
- www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Children/Maternity/Maternalandinfantnutrition/DH_099965
- Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccine
- www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/vaccine
October 2009
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