Foster mothers must screen for HIV, hepatitis – Gynaecologist

Dr Nathaniel Adewole, a Gynaecologist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, has advised that foster mothers who intend to breast feed should screen for HIV and hepatitis.

Adewole told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that women who had never been pregnant could breastfeed, adding that it had no effect on the baby.

According to him, if a breast nipple is sucked vigorously, it will stimulate some hormones, which stimulate the production of milk no matter if there is pregnancy or not”.

An online free dictionary, defined foster mother as a woman who looks after or brings up a child or children as a mother, in place of the natural mother.

“A woman that has never been pregnant that is not currently pregnant can breastfeed because it is what we call wet nursing.

“The principle of breast milk is simple, it’s what we call sucking reflex, when the nipple is sucked vigorously, it stimulates some hormones which stimulate the production of milk whether there is pregnancy or not.

“The breast milk is sterile, the only thing is that somebody that will do wet nursing now have to screen, screen for HIV, screen for hepatitis, and other necessary communicable diseases.

Adewole said that if the new baby continues to suck the breast the milk would come out within a short time. (NAN)