Women who are contagious with tuberculosis should be separated from their infants to prevent contagion through respiratory droplets. Breastmilk does not typically transmit tuberculosis, and mothers who are contagious may express their breastmilk for their infants. However, in rare instances a breast abscess can develop from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, in which case breastfeeding should be discontinued.¹ For more information on tuberculosis mastitis, please see the section on Mastitis.

Direct breastfeeding should be discontinued while lactating parents are contagious via respiratory droplets. Expressed milk can typically be fed to the infant with the rare exception of cases of tuberculosis mastitis or abscess. Please consult with a local infectious disease specialist or breastfeeding medicine specialist for lactating parents who are diagnosed with tuberculosis.