I'm 7 months pg with baby no.2 and facing a bit of a dilemma, here's why:
I fully intended to BF no.1 as I know 'breast is best' and I wanted to do what was right for him. My personal complication is that I have chronic migraine (migraine for more than 15 days each month if unmedicated) for which I'm generally (not while pg) on long term medication that is not recommended while BF, I also developed PUPPP/PEP towards the end of last pg and I'm allergic to piriton(only BF 'safe' antihistamine). Despite this I decided to see how it went. After DS was born he was put on my breast but couldn't/wouldn't latch on. My PUPPP stopped me from sleeping at all in hospital formore than 20 mins or so and about 6 hrs after giving birth I started with a migraine which continued for 2 days. I kept trying to BF but DS just wouldn't latch on and without exagerrating I didn't see the same midwife twice for the entire 3 days I was in hospital- they'd come over put him on then leave and within 30 secs he'd dropped off. On the beginning of day 3 I KNEW my baby was hungry but wasn't BF and, desperate for some sleep, relief from the migraine and PUPPP I took my medication and effectively scuppered any chance I had left of BF. DS is now a very happy well-fed 21 month old but I still feel guilty for that 'moment of weakness/desperation' that I took my meds. The midwife who got me my first bottle for him (I'd never met before) made me feel so guilty too even though no-one had really supported me trying to BF.
I'd like to try and BF DS2 but having a toddler as well this time around I really do need to consider taking my medication as I won't just be able to lie in bed with a migraine and bottle supply like I did with him. (I don't have PUPPP this time at least). However, I'm worried that if I put in my maternity notes that I'll try and then I get ill and need my meds that I'll be put under pressure and made to feel guilty again.
So my questions are these:
Has anyone BF around taking medications for migraine/any other function-limiting health condition, if so how and was it successful?
If I were to mix feed what does that actually entail?
Does anyone think I should just bottle feed from the outset and avoid all the horrid stuff I wentthrough last time?
If I do BF where do I get support from without being made to feel shit if I eventually give up?
Sorry for long post - felt it necessary to explain where I'm coming from.