>Can a mother just readmitted to the hospital w/ dx. of shingles,
>continue to breastfeed her 2 wk old?

This baby has had her first immunization--colostrum--followed by 2 weeks of
immune protection with breastmilk.  Mom just needs to cover the lesions, and
take steps to boost her immune system.  I sent a post on May 25, 1996 about
treatment of my shingles. If you can access the Archives you can see some of
the things that I found helpful. All of the products are safe for
breastfeeding mothers. Also there have been other posts on the topic over
the past 2 years.

I worked with a mom today who developed shingles when her baby was 3 days
old and the doc (very knowledgeable about breastfeeding) said it was
important to b'feed so that the baby would get the antibodies and to just be
sure to have the open lesions covered and to wash her hands before feeding.
The baby was fine and another child who hadn't had chicken pox didn't get it
from mom.

Shingles comes from a weakened immune system due to too much stress.  It is
no wonder that it is so common in mothers of newborns.  But do relay to her
that her baby will be best protected with her breastmilk, and without it
baby has no immune defense.


Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
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