Malaria Medication During Breast Feeding

QUESTION

I am a breast-feeding mother, and I am on the lumartem dosage. Will this affect my baby? He is 9 months old.

ANSWER

The US Center for Disease Control says that it is safe for a breastfeeding mother to take lumfartem if the baby is over 5 kilos (or 11 pounds).    Since your baby is 9 months old, he should weigh more than 5 kg so you should be fine. If you have any questions you should talk to the health care provider who gave you the medication.  Make sure you and the baby sleep under a long acting insecticide treated net to prevent further episodes of malaria.