Debbie,

A quick Medline search revealed no specific articles on "breastfeeding" and
"lupus" as key words.  Many women have antinuclear antibodies in their
blood and are asymptomatic, a large proportion of these women will have
breastfed and have been blissfully unaware.  As a pediatrician and
neonatologist I have recommended continued breastfeeding even in infants
with neonatal lupus syndrome from trans-placental antibody transfer.

My inclination would be to say to this mother that there is no documented
risk that I am aware of to breastfeeding while she has antinuclear
antibodies in her blood.  I usually counsel parents with the caveat that
this is an opinion based on experience and an absence of scientifically
documented risk.

Khalid

Khalid Aziz
Memorial University of Newfoundland