Hepatitis C transmission: Is it safe to breast-feed?

Can I safely breast-feed my baby if I have hepatitis C?

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Mayo Clinic infectious disease specialist James Steckelberg, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Yes, you can safely breast-feed your baby if you have hepatitis C. There's no evidence that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through breast-feeding. In fact, the rate of hepatitis C transmission from mother to child is no greater in breast-fed babies than in bottle-fed babies. However, HCV-positive mothers should consider abstaining from breast-feeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding.