Is it safe to breastfeed if I have hep C?

Yes, so long as your nipples are not cracked or bleeding.

Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk, but if your nipples are cracked or bleeding it is recommended that you stop breastfeeding temporarily on that breast and consult a midwife.

It is not known if hep C medication can be passed to your baby in your breast milk.. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits involved.

Find out more about preventing hepatitis C

References

RANZCOG. (2016, July). Management of Hepatitis C in pregnancy. Retrieved from RANZCOG.

Updated 16 April 2020

Latest

Investment in hepatitis research needs to be accompanied by National Strategy implementation funding

6 October 2020 - Hepatitis Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment to diverse hepatitis research, however we remain concerned that the 2019 Health Budget funding for hepatitis commitments is yet to hit the ground.
Investment in liver cancer medicines matched with prevention are changing Australian lives

6 October 2020 - Hepatitis Australia welcomes the Australian Government’s significant investment of $230 million to expand the listing of Tecentriq® and Avastin® (atezolizumab and bevacizumab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
2020 Nobel Prize awarded for discovery of hepatitis C virus

6 October 2020 - Hepatitis Australia is celebrating the news that the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2020 has been awarded jointly to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice ‘for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus’.
Not seeking help may place your health, or your life, at risk.

Patient safety and continuity of care is extremely important, particularly for people who have chronic and complex diseases or conditions, which is why Hepatitis Australia has joined the Continuity of Care Collaboration