Hazards associated with cross- nursing are at this point speculative.
No reports of difficulties have yet appeared in the pediatric literature. Until a more
complete evaluation of the practice is available, we suggest the following criteria for
screening a mother who may be interested in cross nursing;
She should be healthy, taking no medication, well nourished, and
ideally with an infant about the same age as the infant to be Cross-nursed.
Ideally she should be screened for syphilis, hepatitis-associated antigen, antibodies to HIV, cytomegalovirus, and other
potentially dangerous infectious agents.
Ideally she should not smoke, drink alcohol, or use large amounts of
caffeinated beverages.
