Pregnancy &
Diving
::
Risk for Women
Divers
::
Menarche
::
Menopause &
Osteoporosis
::
Breast Implants
::
Breast Feeding
::
PMS
::
Postpartum
Diving
::
Gender
Differences
Breast
Feeding
There is some
concern among
divers who are
nursing that
their infants
might be harmed
by 'nitrogen
bubbles' in
breast milk.
This of no
concern as
nitrogen does
not seem to form
bubbles in the
milk located in
the breast
glands. Even if
the nitrogen
were in bubbles,
it would do the
infant no harm.
Ingesting
bubbles, even if
microscopic,
would in no way
be harmful to
the child, as it
would reside in
the
gastrointestinal
tract where gas
is a prominent
feature already.
Breast
engorgement can
occur during the
dive excursion
since the infant
will be away
from the breast
for several
hours. This
engorgement can
be uncomfortable
due to snug dive
suits and gear
straps. Some
accommodation
should be made
for this
eventuality. The
changes in
pressure of
diving would not
effect the
engorged breasts
in any way.
Thought should
be directed
toward possible
use of a breast
pump, saving the
milk in
refrigeration
for the infant.
There are some
further concerns
about
possibility of
transmission of
marine pathogens
from the nipple
to the infant,
with the
production of a
particularly
stubborn
infectious
diarrhea. These
same bacteria
are fully
capable of
causing a severe
mastitis if the
exposed nipple
ducts and skin
have any
irritations or
skin breaks.
Finally, Dr.
Maida Taylor has
stated (Medical
Seminars, 1998),
that there are
some concerns
about the
combined energy
expenditure of
nursing and
diving, and the
associated
dehydration
related to
immersion
causing a
decrease in the
amount of breast
milk. Should
this happen, the
mother should be
prepared to
supplement with
some formula
approved by the
Pediatrician. In
this regard, it
might be wise to
consider
postponing
diving until the
infant is
weaned, which is
usually around
the sixth month
in Western
culture.
