We have a client who, at 6 days postpartum, came down with a severe case of bilateral beta-strep mastitis and was hospitalized for 4 days on IV antibiotics. The baby was cultured and has not been treated. We are extremely concerned about the baby. There's some question at this point about whether the baby tested positive or negative. The mother was first told that the baby's culture was positive and today she was told that he was negative. Lawrence's book (p. 266) recommends simultaneous treatment of the baby in cases of staph or strep mastitis. Since her hospitalization, the mother has been pumping and giving her baby her milk via bottles. When they thought the baby was positive, the pediatrician didn't want the baby put to the breast in case he would reinfect the mother. Now that they think the baby is negative, the doctor is not sure about the safety of the baby feeding at the breast!! The mother was also told that the baby could become sick anytime in the next 3 months and that he would be treated aggressively if that should happen. This mother is fearful about the mastitis recurring but would like to be able to breastfeed. We've communicated with Dr. Gartner from the start and he recommended simultaneous treatment of the baby and breastfeeding (from the breast). We need some information for this client so she can make an informed decision. The sooner, the better -- we'd like to see this nursing couple together again.