Lupus Trust UK

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Breastfeeding and Lupus

I am due to give birth in two weeks and am anti-ro positive (I have lupus/Sjögren’s with mild joint/fatigue symptoms, Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and Graves Eye Disease). I am concerned that breastfeeding whilst passing on my 'good' antibodies, might also pass on my bad antibodies. Is it possible to pass on anti-ro through breast milk?

Many, many lupus patients breastfeed their babies with no problems. Lupus specialists only have concerns about patients breastfeeding their babies when they are taking certain drugs which may pass through their milk to the baby. Whilst there is a small genetic tendency in families to develop lupus, this is by no means a strong link.