steroids and nursing - impossible?

[LucyG]

A friend of mine who is nursing her two-month old DS was just put on steroids for a throat infection (antibiotics were not working). She was told that she will have to stop nursing because of this. Before I start digging for information, does anyone know off-hand whether or not steroids are incompatible with nursing? She really wants to continue to nurse, and I have to think that there must be a way for her to do so. Thanks!

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20 months and counting!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

If you find that they are incompatible, she could always pump to keep her supply up and go back to nursing after she is done taking them.

...Karen
DS Jake Feb 91, DD Logan Mar 03
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[pritchettzoo]

It depends on what she was given. Here's a link from www.kellymom.com using Hale's guide: http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html#Steroids

At two months, stopping nursing seems extreme for a short course of medication. Just pump & dump! She could rent a pump for $40 a month (supposedly the Classic is best)--she will MORE than recoup that in formula costs over the next few months. Of course, there's more to breastfeeding than costs, but some people like to look at the bottom line.

I hope she feels better soon.

Anna

[murpheyblue]

Tell her to call her pharmacist and have him/her look it up in Hales. I got a wicked case of bronchitis after DD was born and finally ended up on a 5 day course of steroids (can't recall the name). The doc and LC said it was fine.

[missmelis01]

I am BF and am on Methylprednisolone, a steroid, and was told by my doctor, OB, son's pediatrician and pharmacist that it is safe to take while BF (not to mention I scoured the internet!). Before your friend stops nursing, she should definitely take a look at the kellymom link in the pp to see if the steroid is approved.

As also suggested in pp, if you and your friend confirm that the steroid is not compatible with BF, I would pump and dump instead of stopping nursing.

Here are some good links to sites that talk about pumping and dumping:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T028500.asp#T028507
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/babybreastfeed/8929.html

HTH, and good luck.

[LucyG]

Thanks for the good information! I have forwarded the kellymom links to her, and she has been in touch with an IBCLC. Hopefully she can work it out to keep nursing. I think she's determined.

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20 months and counting!