Breastfeeding and Mounjaro

[Fattyb]

I want to preface this by saying I’m not looking for advice on whether to take this, I’m looking for advice on anyone who has

Having spoke to an ibclc and having done a fair bit of research I am starting mounjaro, my baby is almost 1
and still breastfeeding. Has anyone else been using it and noticed any side effect with regards milk production?

It is not recommended per the manufacturer guidelines to take this drug:

• while trying to conceive
• pregnant, or
• breastfeeding

Those are there for a reason. Either stop breastfeeding, or just hold off on Mounjaro. I know I wouldn’t want my baby to be absorbing any medication through my breast milk. It is against the guidelines. Why risk it??

I will be genuinely surprised if you are able to find anyone. I weaned my youngest before starting.

No one will have done this or is likely to admit to having done it. There's no data on the possible effects on your baby due to the medication that would be in your system. You don't know what the risks are so surely it's not possible to make an informed choice to go ahead and take those unknown risks? Regardless of what an IBCLC might claim about it. I can't see on what data they could make any kind of informed statement other than that the risks are unknown.

Your baby is old enough for you to fairly easily stop breastfeeding, without even needing to introduce formula as you can just give whole milk and water as a drink.

I’m not looking for advice on whether to take this

That's a shame. Because the best thing to do is choose. Start weaning and start using it. Or keep BFing and wait. Neither of which is really an issue.

Taking medication you don't need and you don't know to be safe while choosing to BF is irresponsible. Just wait and/or wean.

It’s not recommended to use this whilst breastfeeding. Read the information leaflet you got and just delay starting till when you’ve weaned your baby.

Is your main concern not the issue of passing the drug on to your baby rather than the effect on your milk supply?

Just to be clear, you're looking for advice from anyone who has chosen to ignore the manufacturer's guidelines? Are you sure they're the kind of people you should be taking advice from?

I’d be surprised if any private provider would be happy to prescribe as there’s no adequate data yet , the private providers may be responsible for prescribing to you (albeit very loosely) but they have no way of monitoring your baby. It seems a bit strange not to wait until you have weaned them? The problem with supply may occur if, say ,you experienced side effects that made you nauseous/ poorly / diarrhoea or if you had problems maintaining adequate nutrition, some women struggle to eat the recommended calories .

Giving advice on taking Mounjaro does not fall within the scope of a IBCLC, you need to speak to a Dr and/or declare to your prescriber for advice before making a decision to not follow the very clear instructions for the medication that it should not be taken if breastfeeding.

It would be very concerned on the potential impacts to your baby's health as there is no comprehensive research to say whether the drug passes into breast milk.

Ask your Dr or provider about other medications for glucose control/weightloss with an established safety for breastfeeding. Or wait until you have completed breastfeeding. Absolutely not worth the risk to take Mounjaro without proper qualified advice (an IBCLC over stepping their scope doesn't count).

Ignore the IBCLC. They are not pharmacists.

If you are determined to take this risk, I would suggest asking the people who run this site https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/ There's contact info on this page. They basically provide science based info on drugs and breastfeeding, which is more intelligent and nuanced than the standard line of "Breastfeeding? No drugs are safe, sorry dear."