Keeping the lactating parent and infant together in times of cholera yields the best results for nutritional status. The organism that causes cholera (vibrio) is not transmitted through breastmilk. The vibrio is in the gastrointestinal tract and the route of transmission is by fecal-oral contamination. Exclusively breastfed infants rarely develop cholera, unless the vibrio is introduced through the infant’s mouth, which is prevented by exclusive breastfeeding. The “Infant Feeding in Emergencies” (IFE) Core Group states that lactating parents with cholera should continue to breastfeed their child as long as the parent is conscious (even when getting IV fluids).1 Breastfeeding does not make cholera worse due to its protective properties.2 3
In “Joint Statement: Infant And Young Child Feeding In Emergencies,”
Unicef writes that it is rarely in the best interests of the lactating parent or the child to cease breastfeeding in case of disease outbreaks or illness affecting lactating parents or children.4
Heat-treating breastmilk remains an option in any affected area if necessary.
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