Is this mother going to be given EXTERNAL radiation treatment, or IV or 
injected radiopaque treatments? 

It makes a huge difference. (Per The Breastfeeding Answer Book, 3rd Ed.) 
External radiation of the thyroid should not require weaning. It appears that 
external radiation does not "get into the milk" nor increase mother or baby's 
risk of breast cancer, as far as what we know now. 

However, if the mother is going to be given chemotherapy or radioactive 
Iodine 1-131, (given by infusion) then weaning is recommended a few months 
before treatment starts, as the iodine could effect the baby's thyroid gland. 
Also, using this treatment on a lactating breast may increase later 
development of breast cancer, although the link appears to be tenuous. 

If she is only getting external radiation, the breasts can be covered with a 
lead apron, to protect the cells from involution, and breastfeeding can 
continue. I've worked with several women who were given this treatment, with 
no ill effects on the baby, although a few saw a small drop in supply (covering 
the breasts may well make a difference, and of course, she would want her 
reproductive organs covered with a lead apron, as well.) I have also worked 
with two women with breast cancer, who had one breast irradiated, while still 
nursing on the other, which was well covered during the treatments. Mom and 
baby appeared fine, and they both had supportive physicians. 

Good luck

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC
Private Practice 

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