My name is Jacqueline Irion, I am a student from the University of North
Dakota. I have several questions relating to breastmilk storage safety
and the HIV/AIDS virus. As we know, breastmilk can carry the HIV/AIDS
virus. According to MeriLou Johnson (1997) there are three forms of
vertical transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus: in utero through the
placental barrier, during labor and delivery when the neonate is exposed
to maternal body fluids, and through the ingestion of infected
breastmilk. Kearney and Cronenwett (1991) also found that the number of
working mothers is on the rise. An estimated 59.7% of new
mothers were breastfeeding in 1995. These pieces of information sparked
me to investigate the safety of breastmilk storage in the workplace.
        I have found that in rural communities mothers at work often pump
their milk but fail to label their storage bottles. The problem I would
like to have addressed is the possible danger of an HIV positive mother
(who may have contracted the disease after the birth of her child and is
unaware of the HIV infection) not labeling her milk. I believe this poses
a problem if bottles were accidentally switched due to the lack of
labeling. The possibility of someone else's child contracting HIV/AIDS
due to a lack of labeling would be possible, especially if the child had
open sores in the mouth (such as teething).
        I feel breastfeeding is a crucial factor in the health rates of
future generations. Dodgson and Duckett (1997) also stressed the
importance of breastfeeding programs designed to provide support for
breastfeeding mothers. I believe safety of breastmilk should be a crucial
factor involved in the storage of breastmilk at business places and should
be an integral part of breastfeeding programs in the workplace.
        Considering all the presented information, have any of you
observed similar situations where mothers do not label breastmilk
storage containers? Do you feel that mothers are given enough information
relating to HIV/AIDS and the transmission of this disease through
breastmilk? Additionally, does anyone feel that laws need to be passed
to ensure the safety of breastmilk in all business places? I would
appreciate your thoughts on this issue and any other information relating
to this subject. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward
to your replies.

Sincerely,
Jacqueline Irion


        Dodgson, J.E. (1997)  Breastfeeding in the workplace: building a
support program for nursing mothers. AAOHN, 45 (6), 290-298.

        Johnson, M. (1997) Vertical transmission of HIV infection. AIDS
Newslink, 6 (1), 8-9.

        Kearney M. & Cronenwett, L. (1991) Breastfeeding and employment.
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing, 20 (6), 471-480.