Have to stop b/f for a week

[Emz33]

Hi all! Hope all the mummies and babies are well.

I have to stop breast feeding for a week because of some medication I need to take. This has really upset me which is strange as I was never one of these b/f is the be all and end all type of people but I have been really lucky and me and lo have found it pretty easy to get the hang of so I'm totally gutted I might have to suddenly stop.

Is it possible to stop for a week until I've finished my course of drugs and then restart? Will lo be able to switch from breast to bottle to breast again? He's only 4 weeks old. Will my milk still be there after a week?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Am so sad about the prospect of having to stop b/f for good already.

Ps not sure where was a good place to post this!

If you express throughout and keep your supply going then you should be able to keep going I'm sure. Have you got a La Leche League group nearby that can advise and help if any problems?

Second what MumbleMumm said. Hopefully you might have an LLL/ similar advisor locally who could support you through this.

If you're bothered by the bottle (I'm projecting - i had a hang-up about bottles!) cup-feeding might be an option?

If you express you'll keep a supply going, and even if it drops off a bit your ds will sort that out when you start again.

Hi I had to stop breastfeeding from full on to nothing in 2 weeks due to an operation and subsequent medication and found very little support so I feel for you! I was more upset about stopping the bf than the operation but everyone else was just focusing on the op.

You need to keep expressing to keep the supply going and to keep yourself comfortable. I think that after a week your baby will still be happy to breast feed. Good luck with it all!

x

Are you sure that you have to stop bfing ? Very few drugs actually require stopping, so its worth checking. The BFN have a lot of information, and a pharmacist you can ring for specialist advice

most drugs say not to take when breastfeeding as a precaution but as CMOT states most can actually be taken if you check with professional first. I have always been advised to continue with my wide range of drugs whilst b/f all my dc.

If you need to get more information about the medication you can ring you local hospital and ask for Medicines Information. It will be staffed by pharmacists with up to date information about drugs and breastfeeding.

Definitely express as much as you can, chuck the expressed milk- as heartbreaking as it will be!- and then start up again after the meds have left your body. Have confidence and you'll be fine

Thanks so much everyone for all your help. I spoke to another gp who actually said it was fine to b/f on the particular drug!! I wish the information was more consistent. Sent me into a right panic with lots of tears for no reason at all it seems!