Breastfeeding is the best method of feeding your baby and is also good for your health. If you intend to breastfeed, it is important to be aware of the effects your alcohol or drug use will have on your baby when breastfeeding. Drugs you are using may pass into your breast milk and may be harmful to your baby.

If you are sharing injecting equipment or not injecting safely, you increase the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, which can be passed on to your baby in your breast milk.

Substances that drugs are cut with may also pass into your breast milk and be harmful to your baby.

If you have Hep C, it is safe to breastfeed unless your nipples are cracked and there is blood present in your milk. The risk of this occurring can be minimised by ensuring your baby is attaching to your breast correctly. If you have cracked nipples and blood present in your milk, express regularly to maintain your supply, but discard the milk until your nipples are healed. It is then safe to breastfeed your baby again. For further information contact your midwife or maternal and child health nurse.

If you plan to breastfeed your baby, talk to your doctor or midwife during your pregnancy. They can assist you to get accurate information so you can make the necessary changes to your drug and alcohol use and make an informed and safe decision about breastfeeding.