HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Can Babies Contract Diseases From Consuming Another Woman's Breastmilk?

default
Posted on Fri, 29 Dec 2023
Question: This is extremely unusual but I just need some piece of mind. My best friend may have tried to breastfeed my 4 month old baby when I wasn't around. She had been joking about it and mentioning how she missed when her 2 children were babies. She doesn't have a milk supply but apparently she does get the odd little leak. Her youngest is 2.5. If she would have tried to latch my child, it would have been one exposure. I don't know for sure but I'm just going to treat the situation like she did. She isn't the most honest with me. I'm just worried about the transmission of diseases, this of course if she did have anything. She was negative during pregnancies and probably still would be now. She doesn't have drug or risky history but I'm not sure if she has always been the most faithful with her husband. For some reason I just keep freaking out about this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:

Breastfeeding.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Let me start by saying that your baby is safe. Even if we assume that this woman had some infection, and she was able to even lactate, no infection would have been transmitted through the milk. so the baby is fine.

It would be advisable, however, to not leave the baby alone in her presence ever again.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Eric Goldstein, Pediatrician
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Eric Goldstein

Pediatrician

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 1303 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Can Babies Contract Diseases From Consuming Another Woman's Breastmilk?

Brief Answer: Breastfeeding. Detailed Answer: Hello, Let me start by saying that your baby is safe. Even if we assume that this woman had some infection, and she was able to even lactate, no infection would have been transmitted through the milk. so the baby is fine. It would be advisable, however, to not leave the baby alone in her presence ever again. Hope I have answered your query. Take care Regards, Dr Eric Goldstein, Pediatrician