Are breastfeeding mothers at risk for staph?

Now that you are breastfeeding your baby, you may have heard that you need to be aware of potential illnesses that you may become more susceptible to. One common concern among mothers who are breastfeeding is the risk of staph infections.

While pregnant, it is important to be wary of threats to your health. As your body devotes such a great deal of energy and resources to creating a healthy and safe environment for your growing body, it becomes easier to get sick.  This makes it even more important to  make good choices about what to eat while breastfeeding.

Staphylococcus aureas, or staph for short, is a type of bacteria that is most commonly found on skin or in one’s nose. It is a fairly common bacteria and can be found on between 25-35% of healthy adults.

However, it can cause infections in humans and lead to complications ranging from mild to severe. Some populations are more prone to getting staph infections, including mothers who are nursing their children.

If you are concerned that you may have a staph infection, the first thing to do is contact your doctor! It is impossible to be certain on your own whether an irritation or infection is due to staph or something else. It is not uncommon for doctors to mistake staph for thrush, so ask your doctor to take a culture to ensure that you get the correct diagnosis.

As staph infections can lead to both dangerous and uncomfortable complications, the best option is to avoid getting one in the first place.

Some things you can do to minimize the chances of this include:

• Wash your hands often
• Change bras frequently, especially if you have irritated or cracked nipples
• Clean and cover any wounds properly to keep staph bacteria out
• Sanitize your breast milk pump frequently

While staph does not have to be dangerous, it is important to be aware of this potential complication as a breastfeeding mother. Keep yourself and your baby health at this important time!