I had a situation at work today that I would like some opinions about. I would
like to change the policy that we have about not allowing babies to breastfeed
if Mom has an elevated temp. In general this hasn't been a big problem lately
because most of the peds say it's OK. But today, the neonatologist would not
let a normal, healthy term infant breastfeed because Mom had an elevated temp.
Please understand that she has had this temp since Tuesday, labor was induced
Sat. without prolonged rupture of membranes (labor was < 8 hrs), baby was not
worked up for infection nor is he being treated for any infection (because he
is not infected). Mother is also on Amp & Gent-not a compatability problem.
Moms temp has been normal since 4am today and neo said she can't BF until
tomorrow. I was not caring for this baby & I did not have the opportunity to
talk to neo about this situation. I did reassure mom that there is nothing
wrong with her milk-it is not infected-and that the antibiotics she is
receiving are compatable with BF.
When does an elevated temp-fever of unknown origin- preclude BF? Especially in
the NB infant less than 48 hrs old.