Breastfeeding and Medication
Mon, May 12, 2008 7:10 AM
I am just trying to ease my guilt for not nursing. I had nursed my first child, but that was before my colitis diagnosis so I was on no meds. I became pregnant with my second child after my diagnosis and was on 12 asacol a day. I had wanted to nurse, but when I contacted the lactation specialist, her information on asacol (this was four years ago) said that it was a borderline medication and to only do it of the benefits outweighed the risks. It stated the it was definitely in the breastmilk and there have been no studies to confirm what the result would be. I do know that some people do nurse and some dont when they are on meds. My hubby and I agreed that I wouldnt nurse, but of course, one month later I felt I had made the wrong decision and have regretted it ever since.
To make matters worse, a year later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was early stages of cancer in the milk ducts, so maybe in hindsite it was good I didnt nurse, but even four years later I have a hard time seeing nursing moms and wishing I would have done it too.
Im just looking for reassurance that maybe I did the right thing becasue I sure dont feel good about my decision.
Joined Nov 10, 2008
Sun, May 18, 2008 11:00 PM
Reply posted for samon42.
As moms, we are forever doing the best we can. We will never be "perfect" and may wish things could have been different, but know that you made the decision you felt was in the best interest of your child. I think it's perfectly okay to mourn the loss of being able to breastfeed your second, but it will pass and in your heart you know it was the best decision at the time.
Joined May 18, 2008
Tue, May 13, 2008 1:40 PM
Reply posted for samon42.
Don't ever feel guily about your decision to BF or to formula feed. I have been on Remicade for 7 years now and had always heard that it was not passed on on breastmilk. After the birth of my 1st daughter I began BFing with the approval of both my GI doc and pediatrician. After BFing for 5 months, my infusion nurse read a new article that Remicade was passed on in the milk and I had to stop BFing right away, or my baby could suffer bad side effects . I stopped and was so heartbroken I can't even tell you (along with feeling guilty about exposing my baby to someting potentially harmful). I switched to formula and then did some research on my own. Nothing I could find said that it was passed on into the milk, so I had a talk with my Dr and presented the articles I had to him. He said that he did agree that the research did show that it was too large of a molecule to be passed on in the milk, and he apoligized and said that he would support my decision to BF. (My infusion nurse never supported the decision to BF while on Remicade, and I believe that there never was an article like she claimed.....when I asked to read the article, they mysteriuosly couldn't find it.) At that point it was too late, but I am happy to report that I now have a second daughter who I am still exclusively BFing at 9 months old. The moral of my story is that you should always take the advice you are given by a Dr, but do your own research and make the best decision for you and your baby. Whatever you decide, know that you made a well-informed decision that was the best one for your family. Both BF and formula fed babies grow up healthy and happy, so there's no reason to feel guilty either way
meg3101Joined May 7, 2008
Related Topics
IBD and trauma
JanelizaJoined Apr 13, 2022
Hi all! I've had Crohn's since 2014 with m....
read more
Life Insurance?
Joined Dec 2, 2022
40 y.o. male looking to get life insurance. ....
read more
IBD and exercise/sport
Joined Aug 14, 2023
This is my first post. I am 28 and I was diagnosed....
read more