F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

So I called the pediatrician and this is what I was told by one of the nurses:

Medications for breastfeeding are categorized from L1 (safest) to L5 (not safe at all). All of the medications I take fall within the L3 range. The nurse said that the meds are “moderately safe” but there are “possible side effects and the baby would be exposed to my medications via breast milk.” The nurse said that it is a personal choice and I must decide if I want to expose the baby to my meds or not. She asked if I might be able to change medications to something in a lower category (L1 or L2). I talked to my asthma specialist about this and it is not possible b/c of the severity of my asthma.

Looks like I am back to the drawing board. It’s a personal choice. Errrr, I wish someone would tell me what to do!! I am indecisive about this.

Re: F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

I don't know how for or against BF you were to begin with, but given the situation, I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself. Your baby will be fine and will thrive on formula the way lots of us did if you decide to go that route. (I know I did for instance).

It just doesn't seem worth the risk to the baby to BF and definitely not worth the risk to YOU to change your meds.

You do what is best for your family and don't feel bad about it...

Re: F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

My ped told me not to put pressure on myself to BF...she there are plenty of great formula's out there that are very close to breast milk, so if for any reason I can't pump, not to feel guilty.

You need to make sure you are healthy for your baby...so if need be FF, no one should make you feel guilty about it!

Re: F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

It's so hard when they tell you "it's up to you". Like someone else said, it really depends on how badly you wanted to BF. If you have super strong feelings about not doing it then maybe it's better to do formula and this way you won't have to worry yourself every time you feed the baby that you're doing something wrong. If you really, really want to BF then maybe talk to your asthma doctor and see what can be worked out. It's a hard decision, I wish I could be of more help. It really just depends on your feelings about BF'ing. Lots of luck!!

Message edited 8/6/2008 3:09:39 PM.

Re: F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

I suggest at this point you sit down at dinner time and talk about the pros and cons with your DH.

Really the question you're trying to answer is "knowing the medications that I am on, and that they may pass to the baby and do unknown things, is MY breastmilk still better than formula?"

It's very difficult to answer, and will require you to take a best guess, since the medical community doesn't seem to be answering it for you

I suggest rather than focusing upon breast milk, maybe you should read-up on formula babies and see what the good / bad points are of this. Obviously, unlike breastmilk, there's no passive immunity passed from the formula bottle to the baby... but how important ARE those antibodies in modern society? I know they're only useful for the first few months or so....

Also keep in mind, in the 60's and 70's most kids were formula babies and did just fine....

Re: F/U conversation with Ped about BFing

Honestly- I wouldn't do it.
To me- it's not worth it... I'd rather formula feed then expose the baby to unnecessary drugs.

My sister, brother and I were all formula fed in the 70s and 80s- we were the healthiest lot of kids u want to meet.
Never sick, to this day we all have strong immune systems and never get sick.

Trust me- PLENTY of babies are formula fed and do just fine....