There is no rationale either for not encouraging breastfeeding after
liver transplant.  The antibodies and the other host factors in the milk
will do the baby nothing but good.  I think the doctors may be worried
about the liver being rejected, but antibodies from the milk are not
absorbed by the baby.  Other host resistant factors are, but they do not
reject the liver.  Similarly, the lymphocytes and other cells are not
absorbed by the baby.

This is another example of breastmilk guilty until proved otherwise,
formula innocent until proved guilty.  Where are the studies that prove
the baby cannot be breastfed.  I have heard in the past a few anecdotal
examples from people on Lactnet that suggest otherwise--the baby does
quite well.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC