Diagnostic scans (x-rays, mammograms, MRI, and CT/CAT)

In her article Breastfeeding and Cancer1, Diane West, BA, IBCLC, writes that radiation from diagnostic procedures using x-rays, mammograms, MRI, and CT/CAT scans are all safe during lactation. While this kind of radiation does have the ability to mutate DNA in live cells, it does not collect in the milk and is therefore compatible with uninterrupted breastfeeding. Radiopaque and radiocontrast agents typically used in ductogram, CT/CAT, MRI, MIBI scan, or PET scan diagnostic tests are extremely inert and virtually unabsorbed when taken orally, so they do not pass into the milk and it is not necessary to interrupt breastfeeding when they are used. Additionally, The Breastfeeding Answer Book2 reports that nursing may safely resume immediately after X-rays. Lactating people who receive iodinated contrast or gadolinium can continue breastfeeding without interruption.3

Although the vast majority of circumstances do not require interruption of breastfeeding, certain exceptions do exist.4 More information on the safety of radiocontrast dyes can be found in Thomas Hale’s Medications and Mothers Milk.5 6 Radioactive isotopes are not safe while breastfeeding, and breastfeeding should be temporarily interrupted when having a procedure requiring these isotopes. Generally, a short interruption of breastfeeding is necessary and a baby should be fed previously pumped milk.7

Please disclose any diagnostic scans you may undergo to a recipient family in order to allow for their full informed choice process.

For more information also see the section Medication.

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  1. West, D. BA, IBCLC, Breastfeeding and Cancer, Breastfeeding Today, Issue 10, 2011 ↩︎
  2. Mohrbacher and Stock. 2003. The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Print ↩︎
  3. University of California – UCSF Department of Radiology ↩︎
  4. Katrina B. Mitchell. 2019. ABM Clinical Protocol #31: Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Studies in Lactating Womenpdf image ↩︎
  5. Hale TW. Medications and Mothers Milk. 15th Edition. Amarillo, Texas: Hale Publishing; 2012 ↩︎
  6. A list of generic names for contrast dyes and radiopaque agents can be found here and this 2011 poster as well. Kay Hoover, M Ed, IBCLC. 2011. Radio-Contrast Agents and Breastfeedingpdf image ↩︎
  7. Mohrbacher and Stock. 2003. The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Print ↩︎