 Dr. Ruth Lawrence, professor, author and researcher, serves
on Breastfeeding.com's medical advisory board. Dr. Lawrence is a
professor of pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology at the
University of Rochester. She is also director of the
university's Breastfeeding and Human
Lactation Study Center. Dr. Lawrence has answered many of your
medical questions about breastfeeding
Dr. Lawrence is the author of
"Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession,"
the standard medical reference book for breastfeeding. She was
one of eight doctors who helped the American Academy of
Pediatrics draft its 1997
policy statement supporting breastfeeding.
On medication for high blood
pressure -
Is it OK to nurse?
I'm
25 years old and have high blood pressure. I'm taking Diltiazem
and Hydrochlorothiazide to counter act it. I have a 9 month old
who loves to breastfeed - he even prefers it to solids (he's a
picky eater). I really, really don't want to give up
breastfeeding. My question is how much of these drugs are
excreted into the breast milk.
PLEASE HELP!
Usually,
by 9 months, a baby is taking enough other solids that few
medications pose a significant problems. The other issue is the
time of day that you are taking them. Usually, people take their
hypertensive and diuretic medication in the morning. To minimize
the amount that gets to the baby, I suggest that you feed the
baby in the morning, take your medications, then encourage the
baby to take solids and other things for about four hours, so
you can avoid breastfeeding your baby during this time. Then,
proceed through the rest of the day as your baby prefers, but be
sure to encourage solids since he is 9 months old. These
medications are not, however, a reason that you must discontinue
breastfeeding.
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