There is absolutely no reason for the mother and baby to be separated.
This is yet another example of "if in doubt stop breastfeeding" with the
implied message "breastfeeding is a dangerous business".  The
conservative approach (that is, safest for mothers and babies) is "if in
doubt continue breastfeeding".

        Breastfeeding has never been shown to be a method of transmission of
Beta Strep from mother to baby.  On the contrary, the immune factors in
the milk will give the baby the edge in fighting off transmission.  But
since the babies are being treated anyway with antibiotics, there seems
to be absolutely no rational for this separation of 12 to 24 hours.
(Except that physicians like to exert control).  That midwives would buy
into this nonsense should make us reconsider the wisdom of bringing
midwives into the establishment.  Does anyone seriously believe that
babies are more likely to get Beta Strep from breastfeeding than from
travelling through the vagina?

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC