I have to stop nursing

[jamielleman]

Well for starters Naomi is only 5 months old and I wanted to nurse her until she was at least a year.

I have to stop fora variety of reasons, mainly because I have to start my meds sometime soon and the doc. said i cant breastfeed well taking any of them. They are meds for insomnia and for bipolar, moodswings.

I'm also not doin towell...ive lost weight and for me that is not a good thing.

I feel really bad for stopping.

On a positive note she's taken very well to the bottle and she weighs 13lbs.

Also I have to take her to a cardiologist because she has a heart murmur.

Im stressing big time....

[KaraJ]

Don't stress. If it's more important for you to take meds than for her to take BM, then feel good about it. You are taking care of yourself, which will ultimately be better for you. Put her on formula, and watch her weight to make sure she is gaining alright.
DON'T feel bad. You can only do what you can do. I couldn't nurse my oldest, and you know what? She turned out JUST fine. I pumped and gave her BM till 5 months, than she got formula till just under a year, then switched to cow's milk. She is 16 months, and 25 lbs, and happy as a fat little clam!

[jamielleman]

i never nursed my 6 or my 4 year old. Their father thought it was disgusting, so i didnt do it.

I nursed my 2 year old because her father convinced me that it was easier than me trying to get up to make a bottle in the middle of the nite(i've been known to forget to put the top on the bottle at like 2am.)

Poor Naomi, I battled hard to get started to breastfeed her, She got thrush and then got put into the hospital for a week because her temp was 101.5. She seems okay with the bottle.

Jami

[KaraJ]

I'm glad she's done well with the bottle. It's too bad you won't be able to continue nursing, but just remember there are several different ways that you can comfort your child aside from nursing, and formula isn't poison.
Also, remember you have done the best you can, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. My poor mother could never nurse any of us, and had to put up with breast feeding mothers telling her that her children wouldn't be as smart or secure because they were formula fed. What kind of person tells a formula feeding mother that! A load of codswallop, in my opinion.

[Bama_5]

It is possible to take many meds (even for bi-polar and insomnia) and still BF. It would be sad to have battled to become successful and quit only to find out later, you could have done both (taken meds and bf).

I don't have time to search now but I think the book is called "Hale's". If no one else chimes in with the specifics before I can come back (tomorrow maybe) and search for you, I'll try to give you some more information.

There are lots of ladies here who have experience with meds and BF and could help you through this iif, that is your desire.

Bama

[Firemom]

I have the Hales book, if your interested in continuing to breastfeed. Post the meds and I will be happy to look them up for you.

[irisheyes81]

I am going to imagine that if your doctor told you to go back on your meds now, that it is really important for you to go back on them now. So, I would say, it might stink that you can't breastfeed, but your health is very important, for you and your baby! Especially your mental health in a very stressfull, exhausting time like this. My sister had to be bottlefed (she was allergic to my moms milk), and she has turned out better than fine, so I would not worry about your daughter turning out any less healthy on the bottle than on the breast. She was able to get it for 5 months, during the most important months of her life...so, you've given her a great start in life so far. Also, I'll keep you in my prayers for the heart murmur. Chances are, it is a tiny hole that will fix itself as she gets older...my oldest had one, and it was gone by the time she was 2. I understand how you feel, though, I was so worried I ended up scarying myself into believing it would be worse than it turned out to be! Best of luck!

[Firemom]

Yes this mother should definitley go on her meds, no one here is disputting that. However, many meds are compatable with breastfeeding.

Also it is imposssible for a baby to be allergic to mothers milk. Galactosemia is a RARE metabolic disorder where the baby cannot process lactose in any milk. This would show up immediately in the newborn not months later. However, it is not an allergy

Most likely your sister was allergic to something mom was eating and received this through the breastmilk. An elimination diet would solve this problem

[KaraJ]

I would check with your doctor, ask him if the meds compatible with BF would work for you, otherwise I'm hand in hand with Irish Eyes on this one.

[Elffriend]

Dr. Hale has done extensive research on medications passing into breastmilk. Firemom has his book and is willing to look up the op's meds to see if they are really incompatible with breastfeeding. Many, MANY doctors will just tell a mother not to nurse while taking medication without actually checking to see if the medication is safe. It's ridiculous, but it happens all the time.

[irisheyes81]

Yes this mother should definitley go on her meds, no one here is disputting that. However, many meds are compatable with breastfeeding.

Also it is imposssible for a baby to be allergic to mothers milk. Galactosemia is a RARE metabolic disorder where the baby cannot process lactose in any milk. This would show up immediately in the newborn not months later. However, it is not an allergy

Most likely your sister was allergic to something mom was eating and received this through the breastmilk. An elimination diet would solve this problem

My sister was not able to take my mom's milk from the day she was born...and the doctor did tell my mom she was allergic to it...but then again, this was in the early 80s. She probably had the galactosemia. She still can not have any products with lactose in them.

[Cradlehold]

Galactosemia is a rare metabolic disorder. The symptoms would include serious complications if untreated not related to gastrointestinal issues. It is usually picked up on expanded newborn screen, most of which are milder forms or carriers and require no treatment.

[velcromom]

Dr. Thomas Hale's book is titled "Medications and Mother's Milk".

Dr. Hale says, "The effects of an untreated depressed mom on the infant are significant and hazardous; but the marginal effects of any medication usually are less hazardous than those effects. " He also says that the majority of side effects from SSRIs occur in infants 3 months and younger, so there is less concern with an older baby and even less with a nursing toddler.

From www.kellymom.com "When choosing a medication SSRIs are generally the preferred choice for a breastfeeding mother. Side effects from SSRIs are most common in the first 3 months postpartum; so with an older baby, there is little concern. Hale's "choice hierarchy" is as follows:

Zoloft
Paxil
Celexa
Effexor
Prozac"


The antidepressant info page at www.kellymom.com says that according to Dr. Hale, "moms should continue breastfeeding and should get drug treatment as needed for depression."

In other words, no, you don't have to stop nursing!! :woohoo: