The new publication by Ruth Lawrence, MD on the contraindications to
breastfeeding has just come out. Its full title is, "A Review of the Medical
Benefits and Contraindications to Breastfeeding in the United States."This is
a "must have." One paragraph is especially touching:

"The relationship of a mother with her suckling infant is considered to be
the strongest of human bonds. Holding the infant to the mother's breast to
provide total nutrition and nurturing creates an even more profound and
psychological experience than carrying the fetus in utero."

There are only 5 contraindications listed:
HIV
HTLV-1
antimetabolites
therapeutic doses of radiopharmaceuticals
drugs of abuse

The question just posed about hepatitis C was easily answered as "yes". It is
OK to breastfeed with hepatitis C if there are no co-infections (like HIV).

This is a US government publication and is available at no cost from:
National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse
2070 Chain Bridge Rd, Suite 450
Vienna, VA 22182-2536
(703) 356-1964
Fax (703) 821-2098

For netters outside the US, I am not sure if the feds will ship to
international addresses. If not, I am sure people here will gladly secure a
copy and mail it to you.