I think it is always helpful to step back from the situation and think. Hasn't
the baby whose mom is diagnosed with Strep Pharyngitis already had a hefty
exposure? I mean...how soon do the symptoms appear? After that, how long does it
take to get a culture? To read the results? So now, what exactly was the point
of discontinuing the breastfeeding?

In the absence of that culture and result we are only guessing what she has
anyway...so that makes discontinuance of breastfeeding even more questionable.
We might begin her treatment sooner but....we won't really know what we're
treating.

When I am consulted about this dilemna I typically point all of these things out
to the mom and let her decide. She invariable chooses to continue feeding at
breast. Sometimes she will request a culture be done on her infant as well.

If baby has strep then let's treat the baby! For the infant already exposed to
strep....discontinuance of breastfeeding is likely to do more harm than good
(IMHO).

Susan Keith-Hergert RN, MS, CPN, IBCLC

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