Not sure what to do about medication and breastfeeding

asacia · Jul 14th, 2009, 10:17 AM

Just had an appointment with the Pyschiatrist who has given me a few options:

1) Take medication at night. Pump and dump overnight, and pump during the day to feed overnight.

2) Take medication at night and give formula at night.

3) Wait till he sleeps through the night before starting medication

4) Don't take medication

I'm not sure what to do. My agoraphobia is bad at the moment, I'm barely able to get outside. I don't want my baby to suffer because I can't go outside, but I feel awful at the thought of giving formula. Pumping was such hard work, I don't know if I can nurse during the day and get enough to give him 2 or 3 night feeds.

From what I've read online, the medication is the best for nursing mothers, and should be okay to take while nursing, even at night. I don't know if I should trust this and 'fib' to the doctor though.

Argh.

**Arcanegirl** · Jul 14th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Would you feel comfortable combination feeding? You could nurse during the day, take the medication at night and give formula at night.
You shouldnt need to pump as by the morning it should be out of your system.

mrsholmes · Jul 14th, 2009, 10:38 AM

could u tell the doctor what uve read online?

im sorry ive got no advice on the pumping etc as im new to this, hope it works out for u

Lu28 · Jul 14th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Maybe give NHS Direct a ring about the meds and see what they say, I know they use the same books the GPs do to check if the medication is safe during breastfeeding.

It's difficult though, you need to weigh up how important it is for you all to get out and about versus formula or going back to pumping - would you be able to get out if you had to dedicate the time to pumping?

I'm sorry I'm not a huge help hon, it's a tough decision xx

asacia · Jul 14th, 2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lu28

Maybe give NHS Direct a ring about the meds and see what they say, I know they use the same books the GPs do to check if the medication is safe during breastfeeding.

It's difficult though, you need to weigh up how important it is for you all to get out and about versus formula or going back to pumping - would you be able to get out if you had to dedicate the time to pumping?

I'm sorry I'm not a huge help hon, it's a tough decision xx

If the medication made me feel able to go out and about, I don't think I could fit pumping in.

I've given a couple of formula tops ups while I was exclusively expressing, and I felt so awful about it. I wonder if it is better to just be inside and be happy?

Oh I don't know. OH isn't keen on me going on medication either.

Mervs Mum · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:01 PM

Make sure you get a second opinion on how effective pumping and dumping would be. I was due to have a procedure tomorrow which required me to take some medication. I told the consultant I was BFing and he said it was fine. I rang them yesterday as I read the leaflet which mentioned consulting a Dr before taking when pregnant and BFing. The nurse I spoke to said it's a huge no no to take it while BFing and they have cancelled my appt. That's the NURSE knowing more than the DR......

I think with health care workers there is nowhere near enough BFing awareness.

marley2580 · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:27 PM

Is there any way you can get some support to go out without medication? My aunty was agorophobic and she found that it helped to have someone with her, even if it was just her daughter.

asacia · Jul 14th, 2009, 13:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marley2580

Is there any way you can get some support to go out without medication? My aunty was agorophobic and she found that it helped to have someone with her, even if it was just her daughter.

I can leave the house if I'm with my husband or my Mum, so I do get to go out, and LO does get to go out, just not as much as I'd like.

I think I'd just feel so awful about giving formula, and so drained from expressing.

mama2b · Jul 14th, 2009, 14:47 PM

Have you tried cognitive (sp) therapy ? It is available on the NHS or you can pay to have it private.

A few years ago I had CT as I had real difficulty going anywhere on my own, it wasn't a severe case but I couldn't even drive without sunglasses on (I know thats weird!) or go shopping on my own, even walk down the street on my own made me nervous. Obviously there was a lot more to it but once I had a six week course of CT I was as good as cured.

Maybe you could try a few days with 'option 1' without taking the medicine just to see if you can produce enough milk.

Shifter · Jul 14th, 2009, 17:42 PM

I'd suggest CBT. Agoraphobia is a behavioural condition, I've had it myself and had CBT for it, in a round about way lol! It did help, I've lapsed a little bit but I'm not as phobic as I was. My mum comes over a few times a week to help get me and Jack out of the house, but I do think that going out is probably over rated!

Jul 14th, 2009, 10:17 AM	#1
asacia Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,708	Not sure what to do about medication and breastfeeding Just had an appointment with the Pyschiatrist who has given me a few options: 1) Take medication at night. Pump and dump overnight, and pump during the day to feed overnight. 2) Take medication at night and give formula at night. 3) Wait till he sleeps through the night before starting medication 4) Don't take medication I'm not sure what to do. My agoraphobia is bad at the moment, I'm barely able to get outside. I don't want my baby to suffer because I can't go outside, but I feel awful at the thought of giving formula. Pumping was such hard work, I don't know if I can nurse during the day and get enough to give him 2 or 3 night feeds. From what I've read online, the medication is the best for nursing mothers, and should be okay to take while nursing, even at night. I don't know if I should trust this and 'fib' to the doctor though. Argh.

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Jul 14th, 2009, 10:38 AM	#2
Arcanegirl Pregnant (Expecting) BabyandBump Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Glasgow Posts: 25,664	Would you feel comfortable combination feeding? You could nurse during the day, take the medication at night and give formula at night. You shouldnt need to pump as by the morning it should be out of your system.

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Jul 14th, 2009, 10:38 AM	#3
mrsholmes Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,686	could u tell the doctor what uve read online? im sorry ive got no advice on the pumping etc as im new to this, hope it works out for u

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Jul 14th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#4
Lu28 Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 12,646	Maybe give NHS Direct a ring about the meds and see what they say, I know they use the same books the GPs do to check if the medication is safe during breastfeeding. It's difficult though, you need to weigh up how important it is for you all to get out and about versus formula or going back to pumping - would you be able to get out if you had to dedicate the time to pumping? I'm sorry I'm not a huge help hon, it's a tough decision xx
	Bespoke silver fingerprint, handprint and footprint jewellery.
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Jul 14th, 2009, 13:01 PM	#6
Mervs Mum Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: somewhere over the rainbow..... Posts: 21,347	Make sure you get a second opinion on how effective pumping and dumping would be. I was due to have a procedure tomorrow which required me to take some medication. I told the consultant I was BFing and he said it was fine. I rang them yesterday as I read the leaflet which mentioned consulting a Dr before taking when pregnant and BFing. The nurse I spoke to said it's a huge no no to take it while BFing and they have cancelled my appt. That's the NURSE knowing more than the DR...... I think with health care workers there is nowhere near enough BFing awareness.
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Jul 14th, 2009, 13:27 PM	#7
marley2580 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Forfar Posts: 6,100	Is there any way you can get some support to go out without medication? My aunty was agorophobic and she found that it helped to have someone with her, even if it was just her daughter.

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Jul 14th, 2009, 14:47 PM	#9
mama2b Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,067	Have you tried cognitive (sp) therapy ? It is available on the NHS or you can pay to have it private. A few years ago I had CT as I had real difficulty going anywhere on my own, it wasn't a severe case but I couldn't even drive without sunglasses on (I know thats weird!) or go shopping on my own, even walk down the street on my own made me nervous. Obviously there was a lot more to it but once I had a six week course of CT I was as good as cured. Maybe you could try a few days with 'option 1' without taking the medicine just to see if you can produce enough milk.

Status: Offline

Jul 14th, 2009, 17:42 PM	#10
Shifter Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Baildon, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,857	I'd suggest CBT. Agoraphobia is a behavioural condition, I've had it myself and had CBT for it, in a round about way lol! It did help, I've lapsed a little bit but I'm not as phobic as I was. My mum comes over a few times a week to help get me and Jack out of the house, but I do think that going out is probably over rated!

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