Nursing After a CAT Scan

I haven't had a CAT scan so no experience with that, but I want to tell you that I know how you feel! I just came back from Children's Hospital with my little 3 week old girl, the doctors think she has a milk protein allergy - so I can't breastfeed and I am pumping until all 'milk' is out of my system. It breaks my heart to formula feed her right now, she hates it and is always looking for the breast when I hold her! I have to keep this up for another two days, 5 total...I can't wait to breastfeed her again! You are not alone...

L., I totally understand your frustration over this, but I wouldn't take any chances with a newborn injesting toxins (and that is what dye is!), so pump and dump would be the route I would take, if I were in your shoes. Even though you've read some reassuring things, they warned at the hospital for a REASON. Heed their warning........you can't take back problems that could arise from your baby being exposed..........24 hrs. isn't that long either. Good Luck!

I feel your pain i have an 8 week old (and three older children) i was looking forward to breast feeding and i was till our son had to have surgery at 7wks and the stress dried up my milk. Also he wasnt eating for four days. This broke my heart. Having said that i had a cat scan done while i was 7 1/2 months preg. With the contrast and the baby was fine (he had surgery for other things) so the conrtast and radation went through him then he ate breast milk. And hes fine. A short 24hrs is harder on you then her tummy you will both be great relax and ejoy that baby!!!

L.,

the problem is the contrast agent that they gave you. It can be toxic to the kidneys and would be to your baby's too. Such a small baby would be more sensitive to small amounts than you are. I would pump and dump your milk for the period they recommend (sounds like 24 hours) as long as she is taking a bottle ok from your husband. After just one day I bet she'll go back on the breast fine.

I agree with the advice to drink tons of water to flush out the dye too.
Glad your scan came out ok, that's the most important part. Good luck.

It might help to realize that you had that CAT scan to rule out a potentially fatal condition. If you did have a blood clot, you could have DIED. The CAT scan might have saved your life. Hopefully that perspective makes it a little easier to give up nursing, either for the short term or permanently. Good luck and glad to hear you're ok!

Oh you poor thing! I just want to let you know that YES you can nurse after a CAT scan, or MRI. I have done both (with contrast) as well as nursing my 4 week old infant last summer immediately waking up from general anestesia (emergency surgery).

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medicationforumspage.html

That is a link to the Dr. Thomas Hale medications in mothers milk forum. You can find just about any and all medications, supplements, and such and if you need to pump and dump.

There really isn't any reason to ever pump and dump. There are a few, but they are incredibly rare!

I hope this helps, and I hope you are feeling better!

I just recently had MRIs with contrasting agent and was told that the real issue is the dye. My Drs. said that it is 80% flushed out of your system with your first stop to the bathroom, the rest is flushed out within the next week. The problem is that it can affect the kidneys, since they are what is cleaning it out of the body. Drink LOTS! Flush it out as soon as possible!

You can ask them if have donated breast milk to give to your baby for the next few days while the dye clears out. I know it is not what you want to do, but if the dye can injure her kidneys, it might be the safest way to go. I am just shocked that your hospital did this to you without full disclosure of possible effects to your new little one. Good luck.

Do you remember if they did a CAT scan or a VQ scan? I had a VQ scan, but I am not sure if they are different. Thank you for your answer!

I went through the exact same thing when my first was 11 days old. When they told me I could not nurse for 24 hours, I was surprised at how hard I took it. But, at least they told me before the procedure, so I felt I made the decision to get the CAT scan done regardless. That's horrible if they waited to tell you until after the CAT scan. Regardless, I'm guessing it would not have changed your mind to have the test done, especially if your doctor recommended it. I would not take the chance to breastfeed after ingesting the dye....just pump and dump. It may end up slowing your milk production somewhat (as it did for me), but with a little formula to supplement for a day or two, my baby and I were right back on track with full breast feeding. It's a tough thing for both you and baby to get through, but it is worth it to make sure your life is not in jeapordy.

Hi L.,
This happened to me. I have MS and went for my routine MRI when my daughter was a newborn. After the test was dome and I was preparing to leave, they told me that I should not nurse for 48 hours! My daughter refused a bottle, would not take formula... After 24 hours, she had no wet diapers and I was frantic. I spoke with my pediatrician who advised me to go ahead and nurse. When I had to go for my next MRI, I shared my concerns with my Neurologist, he did research and spoke with neonatologists... He told me it would be safe to nurse. He said that we are told not to nurse because there have not been studies done and they cannot be sure if the baby gets the contrast in the milk. He said there are no reported cases of babies being harmed by it... I just made sure to drink a lot of water to help my system flush the conrast out quickly. I nursed my daughter right after MRI's after that. She is now almost 4 years old and has never had a problem. I hope this helps.

L.

Don't have any experience with it but I know someone that had CT scan while pregnant nad my theroy has always been if you can do it while pregnant it should be okay to do while nursing.