Barbara - I forwarded your question to my husband, who is a
microbiologist and has done a lot of research on MRSA. Below his reply
to me:

"It is nonsense to claim that this mom will have MRSA for the rest of
her life. They should try vancomycin, another antibiotic, to get rid of
the infection. Usually that works, unless you are immunucomprimized (HIV
or on cancer therapy). They should involve the infectious disease
specialist.

I think breastfeeding will not pose the baby to a higher risk than just
being with the mother. The only way to prevent infection of the baby is
isolation from the mother!!! Guess that is not an option."

hope this helps,

Josefine Wendel, MS, RD
Cambridge, MA

Barbara Montague wrote:
>
> Subject: Expectant Mother with MRSA---should she be encouraged to breastfeed
> ?
>
> Hello Fellow Lactnetters !
>
> Last nite at a Neonatal ICU staff meeting,  care plans were discussed for an
> expectant mother in isolation on antepartum with MRSA [ Methicillin
> Resistant
> Staphlococcus Aureus ]---36 weeks gestation---for her delivery and
> post-partum care.  Apparently the mother is "colonized" with Staph. Aureus
> in
> the axillae and perineal areas,  and has " boils " on her breasts and nipple
> areas. She will have this condition [MRSA] for the rest of her life,  and
> other family members have it as well.  It has resulted for the overuse of
> the family of Methicillin
> [ Penicillin ] antibiotics.  When  I asked if this mother was planning to
> breastfeed,  the reply was " I hope not,  especially with the boils on her
> breasts!"  Staff appear more concerned about RDS (Respiratory Distress
> Disorder) and Hypoglycemia complications that this baby may experience at
> birth---which is understandable,  but the baby has to eat and should the mom
> not be pumping ?
>
> Does anybody know anything about this condition called MRSA? I feel bad for
> this poor mom and baby,  who I feel could / should benefit from the mother's
> breastmilk !
>
> Any info / references you wonderful readers can give me would be greatly be
> appreciated---pro and /or con  breastfeeding.  I feel we need to know before
> this baby makes his /her arrival !
>
> Sincerely,
> Barbara Montague,  RN  IBCLC
> Saint John,  NB  CANADA
> [log in to unmask]
>
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