I have been working with a mom whose 4-week-old baby has always been
difficult to latch on correctly and consequently mom has had very sore
nipples throughout the entire breastfeeding course. To compound things,
over the weekend, mom was attacked by a giant Schnauzer (100 pounder).
The dog clamped down on her breast and managed to pierce the nipple with
a tooth and cause significant lacerations on the areola with the rest of
his teeth--she was dressed and wearing bra and nursing pad and the dog
did this kind of damage.  Unprovoked attack--she had bent down to pet
this dog while a guest in the dog owner's home.  Despite antibiotics,
the multiple wounds are infected and draining.  She is in too much pain
to nurse on that side even if it was safe to do so.  She has a good
electric pump and is pumping several times a day when she feels very
full which is about all she can tolerate at this point.  My question is:
at what point can we even consider putting the baby back to this breast
or just give baby the milk she pumped from that breast?  We all felt
that as long as infection is present and wound is open or draining she
shoud pitch the milk but neither I nor her physician (as well as
numerous others I have consulted) know when we can stop worrying about
all those nasty dog germs.  Mom is doing her best to nurse very
frequently on the intact side and understands that she can support this
baby on one breast but her already tender nipple is a real source of
concern.  Mom is very committed to baby getting breastmilk for at least
6 months and will do whatever it takes.  If anyone has any guidance for
us, it would be greatly appreciated.    Terri Shackelford, RN, IBCLC,
Indianapolis, IN