Restarting bf after methotrexate

[tuckingfits]

Please can anyone help?

I found out that my pregnancy was ectopic. I had to have a methotrexate injection, couldn't bf my nearly 9 month old dd for 4 days, that was enormously distressing for both of us but we got through it as best we could. Since Tuesday I have had the all clear for feeding her again but despite seeming keen, as soon as she latches on she bites & cries. Now she won't even latch on & just cries. I have been told a nursing strike due to the stress of having her source of milk & comfort abruptly removed is the likely cause & that it will pass.

It doesn't feel like it's passing & I just don't know what to do. I've been expressing to maintain supply, I don't feel ready to stop bfing (unless that's her choice). I just feel that our last however long of bfing was ripped from us & I'm devastated. I can't see past it. It has upset me more than the ectopic.

Can anyone help us move past the nursing strike? Any words of wisdom gratefully received... We've done the whole relaxed offering, skin to skin, laying down, sitting up, not tired, tired, not overly hungry, hungry, dream feed attempt etc. Help!

She won't take a bottle & won't take formula, has only had a couple of ounces of expressed milk from a sippy cup over the last almost week. I'm really stressed & upset so I apologise if I seem overwrought & don't make sense.

It sounds like this is a nursing strike, as you say.

It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Any time you get her near your breasts, and she's happy, that's a win. If she will accept skin to skin, if she will come close, without getting upset, then you're winning, you're getting her there. But it's a question of being slow and patient.

I feel hesitant about posting this fact, but for the sake of anyone else who googles methotrexate and breastfeeding, it doesn't sound like you needed to stop at all. [url=toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~iPRoPn:1]This link[/url] discusses the affect of a methotrexate injection for ectopic pregnancy on milk - and says it doesn't come through in the milk. Oral methotrexate is a different deal.

Oh sheesh. The link I wanted to post was this one.

Is calling a helpline an option for you? Is a drop in? I think you could do with some personal support, tbh.

Thanks cockney. I was told initially that I had to stop altogether, did my own reading & found that although no trace of it has been detected in breast milk the recommendation was 4 days after a single dose via injection. I did read stuff that said 48 hours but decided to err on the side of caution. Perhaps I shouldn't have waited 96 hours when 48 might have been enough, but I can't say I wouldn't do the same again. It's one of those quandaries, I would never have forgiven myself if she had suffered from the side effects.

I've been trying to get thru to the National Breastfeeding Line but nobody ever available, I've got a number for the NCT line & will try that. I'll also contact the bfn peer supporter who helped me with my son, but she wasn't that great. Have spoken with my (good) hv & she said it sounds like we're doing the right things & just persevere. I think I just need to hear it a lot at the moment!

Baby has had possibly 6oz of milk today, so that's a huge improvement & she is asleep in her cot without a major meltdown tonight, these can only be positive steps. I'm lacking positivity at the moment, am not usually such a negative nelly. However I don't usually use such twee terms so perhaps I should start searching for my real self!

It sounds like you're going in the right direction, absolutely. I'm sorry the helplines aren't answering. Cover is difficult in the summer holidays. If you keep trying, you might well get someone.

Alternatively, the ABM offer email support.

Unfortunately the injection hasn't worked & I have to have a second tomorrow.

I will come back tomorrow when I'm in a better frame of mind.xx

Oh, how horrible. I don't know what to say. I hope you are alright. Do you have much real-life support?

Sorry to resurrect my long dead thread, but it thought I would update it very briefly after a most miserable & challenging summer.

My daughter never did go back on the boob but with the help of a medela symphony pump loaned to me by the Infant Feeding team (just returned after two months) & a couple of courses of domperidone (great while it lasted) I am still pumping & giving her my milk from a cup. She will only drink it from one particular cup & my supply is half what it was with domperidone but we are still going. She will be one next Saturday & I am very proud that we are still going, although I miss the cuddles & convenience of actual bfing.

I just thought it might be a boost to anyone who finds themself in a similar situation to know that it is possible to express long term even with the baby to look after & a 3/4 year old, a dog & nursery runs to do. Thank you for the support when I needed it.xx

Wow, well done with persevering. You have done amazingly.
It sounds like an awful and challenging time for you. Really sorry to hear about your loss. I had 3 miscarriages and found it really hard mentally and physically and I know ectopic pregnancies add an extra dimension too.