Feeling guilty about not being able to breast feed

[ER1992]

Just here for a moan really... I'm not going to be able to breast feed when baby arrives due to being on epilepsy medication which can tranfer from me to baby so we will be formula feeding. Me and hubby have just got home from antenatel classes and tonights toppic was about feeding. However it should just be named breast feeding as they did not mention formula feeding at all and we are both now feeling guilty even though there is nothing we can do about our situation. The whole session was about the benefits of breast against formula. Obviously as most people do at least try and breast feed we expected most of the session to be about breast but also expected them to talk about formula to some extent. I probably should have put my hand up and asked them to talk about it a bit but I don't feel comfortable having to justify myself in a room full of people whom don't know. If anyone can make us feel a bit better your comments would be appreciated

Get a second opinion the baby will only receive a very small percentage of keppra and should be able to metabolise it fine.
You have been given outdated advice.

I couldn't breastfeed because DD couldn't suck. She's a healthy nearly 11yo now. Don't worry. Your baby will be just fine on formula.

From a very quick google, I can't find anything that suggests you shouldn't breastfeed. It will pass to the baby but in small amounts and baby will be used to it anyway. Def get a second opinion if you are keen to breastfeed.

*@kirinm * I saw the neurologist before we started trying for a baby who gave me lots of info re getting pregnancy, pregnancy itself and once baby is born and the advice then was to formula feed. Since being pregnant I've only seen obestritian but he has gone off consultants notes for any epileptic questions i have had. It's the neurologist I'm seeing again at the end of the month so I'm going to ask again as maybe the guidelines have changed since I last saw him

Oh well, I hope they are able to clarify for you. I personally will be going ahead unless I'm told otherwise.

I would recommend contacting Wendy Jones from the Breastfeeding Network. She is a pharmacist who specialises in drugs and breastfeeding. She will be able to give specific advice.

I'm another formula feeder. My milk didn't come in at all and I didn't want my son to starve! I didn't and still don't feel guilty - just disappointed that it's something I've never experienced (only have one child) but there was nothing else I could have done.

Does it matter now he's grown...not a bit!!

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

Contact the drugs in breastmilk helpline as they are specialists in this area. Often GPs,consultants etc misadvise in terms of whether medications can be used while breastfeeding.

do not feel
bad whatsoever OP

Fed is best xx

The international standard is that formula feeding education be given one to one. This is because there are risks of makeing formula incorrectly. So the class wasn’t a judgement on you your decision even if it felt like it.

Others have suggested the breastfeeding network which is a really good idea. Even if the discussion confirms your choice you’ll have had a chance to weigh up the options.

When you are formula feeding you can choose to do lots of the things you do with breastfeeding too, like skin to skin, paced feeding and swapping sides.

It sounds like you would like to breastfeed. If so I'd contact the breastfeeding network above about your medication