I am getting a nuclear scan and have a newborn baby?

Which scan?: Most nuclear medicine scans for diagnostic purposes are done with low dose of radiation. However there are studies which would require distance from other people for a few days until radiation is cleared from the body. Consult with your physician for study appropriate precautions.

Type of isotope: Most nuclear medicine studies are done with technetium 99m which has lower dose radiation and short half life of 6hrs. Radiation effect is small. Indium 111, thallium 201, and I-131 are higher dose isotopes which usually require longer periods such as week away from growing children. The less time exposed and the greater distance away from source are factors that reduce radiation exposure.

Radioisotope used.: There are three basic ways of reducing radiation exposure" 1- decrease exposure time, 2- increase the distance, 3- adequate shielding ( not practical in this case). The first two procedures are easy to perform but it also depends on the type of radioisotope. Most of the studies are performed with 99mtc which has a half-life of 6 hours. If you are breastfeeding your baby, ask your doctor for advice.