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Government says mothers on swine flu drugs can breastfeed

Health
Mothers with swine flu should continue breastfeeding while taking antiviral or preventative treatment, according to new advice from the Department of Health.

The Department of Health guidance does not advise stopping treatment while breastfeeding, and says there are no associated extra risks for babies.

In addition, it says mothers should feed on demand and, where possible, not use additional formula, so that babies received as many maternal antibodies as possible.

Mothers should also continue breastfeeding if they are ill, according to the advice, and increase feeding frequency.

The department said the risk of transmitting swine flu through breast milk was "unknown" and that reports of seasonal flu viruses entering the bloodstream this way were "rare".

It also recommended that mothers reduce the risk of transmission by washing their hands frequently and using clean tissues to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

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