Do I need to stop breastfeeding if having CT Scan?

[Jillbill]

After recurring chest infections during my pregnancy, I have been booked in for a CT scan for 6wks after my DS has been born.

One of the doctors said that I would need to stop BF for 8hrs or more if I had a scan, but I note that the litrature that has come with the booking says nothing about precautions to take if BF.

Do any of you know anything about this? I'm tending towards having a normal chest x-ray instead and keep the BF undisturbed.

Depends if they are putting radioactive dye into your system, in which case you would need to pump and dump your milk for 8 hours after the dye was injected. However it's by no means guaranteed that will be what's needed. Best bet is to call the unit and ask them.

FYI had to have major surgery when DS was six weeks old - they said I'd need to not breastfeed for 12 hours and I dutifully pumped five bottles full only to have him reject all of them - luckily I elected for an epidural for the surgery (much to the surgeon's dismay - I chuntered away about complete bollocks while he operated ) but DS survived the experience and so did I - though he was pretty darn cross about it!!!!

You need to find out if they're planning to give you iv contrast - this is the only reason for the hiatus that I can think of. You could negotiate for a non-contrast scan, or just express and bottle feed for the off-period? There's no point in an XR if they want a CT.

Thanks - so frustrating that the appointment letter turned up when the unit is closed for easter!
So, it is the dye that does the 'damage', interesting!

Actually the contrast agent does not make it through to your milk in any great quantity, and has a very short biological half life (ie, the amount of time it hangs around in your body), so you don't need to stop bfing.

Yep, it will be the contrast agent that will mean you shouldn't bf. I have to have regular MRI scans, and while bf-ing I just switched to formula for the day, which dd didn't have a problem with once I'd got her used to the taste!

the contrast agents for CT scans and MRIs is different though, so it doesn't necessarily mean you have to stop.

lots of doctors tend to err on the side of caution and say 'stop bf' when you might not have to.

look at the breastfeeding network and it might be worth phoning them as they have a pharmacist who can help with this sort of thing.