How Do I Wean?

That has to be a hard one you knowing he isn't ready. Is there any chance you would reveal the medication? Many moms and doctors (surprisingly) think a mom needs to wean to take meds that they really don't need to wean for. If you don't feel comfortable saying the name, take a look at this website and do a search for the name of the medication. This man has done so much research and written multiple updated books. It would help any nursing mama be sure the medication she needs to take won't hurt her baby.

http://neonatal.ama.ttuhsc.edu/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?...

If for some reason the link doesn't post do a google search for Dr. Hale Medications and Mothers Milk

Hello B.,
I am a huge advocate of breastfeeding, and nursed both of my children until they were three! Is there any way to take a smaller dossage? wait a while longer before starting it, or perhaps an alternative med? The best advice I can give is to educate youself and go to your docter with a notebook to write you questions down aswell as some answers hopefully. Breastfeeding is the best possible start to a healthy life for your child, and it sounds like you've got a good start, but the immune system will be stronger the longer you do it!
Let me know if I could be of more assistance-LeLeche might be a good connection too for support aswell as ideas. Maybe you could find somebody who could supplemant your milk for a while...just an idea.
S.

I was in your same situation last spring. I had to have surgery and couldnt nurse. My little girl would not take a bottle. (she was only 3 months)I ended up having to have my mother in law and my mom take her for one full day each so they could get her to take a bottle. It was awful. She cried and cried but after the two days she finallly was done nursing. Good luck!

C.

Can you not postpone taking the medicine? Also is the medication long term? When I breast fed, I still had milk up to six months after I stopped. Perhaps your bottle feeding only needs to be temporary.

That is tough. When I was nursing my first I had to stop nursing for the same reason. My son was 8 mo. old and it was all of a sudden. He was not happy, but after two long days and nights he was ok. He wasn't happy about it but he did ok. My best advice is to make sure you hold him close like when nursing. It is tough, at least it was for me. Good luck!

I'm not sure how fast you need to start taking your medication but when I weaned my little ones I was nursing only morning and night then night then one day stopped. If you have to take the medication now then snuggle him when your bottle feeding so he can get the security of your arms. It may be hard at first but children are great as they get over things fast as long as they know that it's a solid new rule.

*just read your what happened* Glad you'll be able to wean slow. Makes life so much easier and the child doens't even know that it's over.

You really don't say if you are going to be able to wean over a period of time or have to do it quickly. But I will try and give you suggestions for both. I agree that you still need to hold him close when you are giving him a bottle it won't make up for nursing but it will be the closest that he can get. If you can wean over time, then take out a feeding every 3-4 days. This gives your body a chance to stop producing milk gradually and will lessen the engorgment. If you can't wean over time, then I would recommend going cold turkey....don't prolong the agony of weaning for you or for him. It will be painful for you initially but if this medicine is really that important it will allow you to start taking it sooner. If you do it cold turkey, you need to remember that any stimulation of your breast can keep you producing milk longer. So limit the time in the shower where you can leak and get a sports bra that is one size smaller to constrict your breasts. It is going to be uncomfortable for the first couple of days, but as you start to produce less and less milk it will get better. I hope that you get better and good luck.

I would check with your son's pediatrician too. (On the safety of the medication.) Often those are the doctors who are most up-to-date on what is safe for the baby.

Have you looked into alternatives to your medication that you need to take? There might be a natural alternative method that won't affect your breastfeeding son.