help with weaning

[laurenmd77]

i may have to stop breastfeeding because of medication I may need.  I know that ideally its best to drop a feed every few days, but I might not be able to go that route.  My daughter gets a bottle of formula 1-2xs a day so I know her system can handle it, but what about me?  What kind of pain can I expect if quitting is immediate and what can I do to help relieve it?
Thanks
Lauren

[Samuel's mum]

Do you mind me asking what kind of medication you are talking about? There are very few medications where an alternative isn't available that is safe for nursing.

As for your questions - if quitting is immediate your instincts are right, you are leaving yourself open to engorgement and a high chance of blocked ducts, mastitis and even a breast abscess. The best thing is to move to pumping and dumping so you pump at roughly your usual feed times and then gradually reduce how much time you spend pumping - as gradually as if you were weaning normally.

[laurenmd77]

Thanks for your quick reply!
I've been having serious bladder infections(something i've dealt with all my life)  and have been on antibiotics already that are safe for babe, but they are not working and they are talking about stronger antibiotics such as cipro and such.  I don't have a pump nor can I afford one right now. Hopefully I have some time where I can just wean naturally but I may have to make it quick! 
Lauren

[Samuel's mum]

Well in 2002 the AAP approved the use of Cipro for breastfeeding mothers for a start. The CDC have also approved it for use by breastfeeding mothers.

Lots and lots of mothers are told to wean for powerful antibiotics that are actually prescribed to newborns and premature babies!!! Preemies are a population who often get infections and need some pretty potent antibiotics.

It's really worth checking.

I would start with Dr Thomas Hale's medication forums. He is a specialist in medications and breastfeeding. You can read his research on a massive range of drugs.
Here is the antibiotics section:
 http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/40/40.html

You may be able to use hand expression instead of a pump - some people get really good results.

[Samuel's mum]

Just to add - it's worth researching this and making sure weaning is really necessary. Two reasons spring to mind - your health but also the financial implications of moving to formula full-time if finances are an issue. Depending on the age of your baby you could be talking about a great deal of money that would need to be found to cover formula costs.

[laurenmd77]

Thank you for your help.  I will discuss this with my doctor.  He told me I would have to quit breastfeeding if it came to using the stronger antibiotics.  I want to continue to breastfeed as long as I can.