Can mothers with hepatitis B breastfeed?

In daily life, some mothers wish to breastfeed their infants but worry about transmitting hepatitis B virus (HBV) to their babies—causing significant psychological distress. So, can mothers with hepatitis B safely breastfeed?

Can mothers with hepatitis B breastfeed?

Whether a mother with hepatitis B can breastfeed depends on specific circumstances. Current evidence—including laboratory data and clinical studies—indicates that HBV levels in breast milk are extremely low, and breastfeeding does not increase the infant’s risk of HBV infection—provided the newborn receives hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. Additionally, if the mother’s HBV DNA test result is negative, breastfeeding is considered safe.

If the mother tests positive for HBV DNA, yet the infant has already received HBIG and the hepatitis B vaccine, the mother may express breast milk and feed it to the baby via bottle—thereby minimizing risks associated with nipple trauma or exposure to maternal blood during direct breastfeeding. In fact, mothers with hepatitis B can safely breastfeed their infants. With rapid advances in modern medicine, antenatal mother-to-child transmission prevention for HBV has become highly effective. When appropriate interventions are implemented during the second half of pregnancy, most HBV-positive mothers can achieve optimal viral suppression—effectively preventing postnatal transmission through breastfeeding.

If any symptoms or discomfort arise, prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is strongly advised. All management should be conducted under the guidance and supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.We hope this information is helpful to you!