Can You Breast Feed When Your Child Has Liver Disease?

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If you are breastfeeding you will be encouraged to continue if your baby is growing well because breastfeeding brings many benefits to both you and your baby. However, breast milk does not contain MCT fats. Therefore, it is often essential to give another specialist formula alongside breast milk to make sure your baby continues to gain weight and grow. The dietitian will advise you on the best way to do this.

If certain conditions (metabolic conditions) are the suspected cause of your baby’s liver problem it may be necessary for you to stop breast-feeding temporarily while the investigations are taking place. Specialist MCT feeds as described above may also be given. Breast milk supply can be maintained by expressing breast milk and freezing it during this period for use at a later date.