At a glance
Breastfeeding mothers with travelers' diarrhea from food or water should continue to breastfeed their infants while also significantly increasing their fluid intake. Exclusive breastfeeding protects infants against travelers' diarrhea.
Breastfeeding with travelers’ diarrhea
A nursing mother with diarrhea caused by food or water sources can continue to breastfeed her child. However, she should also increase her own fluid intake to prevent dehydration (loss of too much water in the body). The organisms that cause travelers' diarrhea do not pass through breast milk. It is safe for mothers and their children to use properly prepared solutions of oral rehydration salts.
Antidiarrheal medications
Breastfeeding mothers should carefully check the labels of over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to avoid using bismuth subsalicylate. These compounds can lead to the transfer of salicylate to the child through breast milk.
Antibiotics
Fluoroquinolones and macrolides, commonly used to treat travelers' diarrhea, are excreted in breast milk. Decisions about whether a nursing mother should use these antibiotics should be made in consultation with the child's primary care provider. Most experts consider short-term use of the antibiotic azithromycin compatible with breastfeeding.
Medications and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding infants with travelers' diarrhea
Exclusive breastfeeding protects infants against travelers' diarrhea. Breastfeeding is an ideal rehydration therapy. Children who are suspected of having travelers' diarrhea should be breastfed more frequently. Children in this situation should not be offered other fluids or foods that replace breastfeeding. Parents of children with travelers' diarrhea should consult with the child's primary care provider.