A few things - doctors appts, etc.
Okay.... just wondering what you guys think about these things...
At DS's 15 month appt (yeah, he's 16 months - we were late), the doctor (who I really like! I have no complaints about him) said that I should put cow's milk in DS's sippy instead of water because its "healthy." (Maybe he thinks I am anti-cow's milk because I'm still bf'ing?) I told the doctor that DS does not drink cow's milk. I pump at work and bf at home. I know he's getting enough milk. I don't think cow's milk is necessary. Why would it be? Doctor said that milk has more vitamins/minerals than water, which is fine, but I actually think water is more important than milk if he's already getting plenty with bf'ing.
So what do you guys think? Do you think cow's milk is that important? I am actually not a fan of cow's milk at all - I drink limited amounts myself. DS is getting calcium from other sources like cheese, veggies, beans... etc.
My other issue: I went to the doctor yesterday because I was having breathing problems. I have bronchitis - I told the doctor I was breastfeeding. So, he gave me a breathing treatment (albuterol and some other meds) and then prescribed an antibiotic, an inhaler, and a decongestent with pseudoephedrine. He said they will be in the breastmilk in trace amounts and the decongestant might cause "jitteriness" in my baby. Just what I want - a jittery baby! Anyways - so I get the prescriptions filled and I ask the pharmacist about breastfeeding with the prescriptions and she says that I shouldn't take any of them while breastfeeding!
So, I decided to wait until today to take the antibiotic and DS won't be home until after 5 (I sent him to his auntie's). I didn't take the decongestant. I did use the inhaler twice last night, but it was hours before I bf again - I figured a living mom with some meds in the bm is better than a mom who can't breath 
I called our regular doc this morning to get his opinion on all of these meds. The thing I worry about with the decongestant is drying up my milk - especially because I really make just enough for him now. I probably won't take that. However, the inhaler has been fantastic and I actually haven't needed it today, and I think the antibiotics are necessary.
Geez - such a long post - but do any of you have experience using these meds while bf'ing? Especially while bf'ing a toddler?
Re: A few things - doctors appts, etc.
No experience, but I'd call an LC about the meds - ours always told us they had the 'bible' on what was safe/not safe for BFing, and how long after, etc, it was safe. I'm a bit wary trusting my Dr. (for whom BFing probably isn't a normal side effect concern) over the pharmacist when it comes to that type of recommendation.
Our pedi actually told us we were giving DS too much dairy (I bf 2-3 times a day and he was getting a sippy of milk at every meal, plus he's a cheese fanatic), so I'd imagine you're fine there.
I agree with you that cow's milk isn't totally necessary for a kid getting breastmilk and a varied diet. I introduced it at one year because I wanted to stop pumping at work, but I don't offer it much while I'm present with my nursing child.
As for the meds, I know that there are antibiotics which are safe while BFing and antibiotics that aren't. I would talk with a lactation consultant or look for specific medication information on the kellymom website.
I would not take the decongestant, pseudophedrine is known to dry up supply and if you're having issues producing enough, your supply may not bounce back. I haven't had any experience with the other meds though. As for the cow's milk, I asked pedi how much milk (of any kind) does DS need at 12 months and he said 18-22 oz and it could be any combination of milk or just BM. I don't think cow's milk is necessary if he's drinking that much BM. I'm still pumping too and so DS gets water and EBM, pedi was aware of that and said it's fine. I believe there is a nutritional info comparison chart of BM vs. other milks on www.kellymom.com that might be helpful. Hope you feel better soon!
I don't give my little one cow's milk, either, for the same reasons as you.
Her pediatrician told me I could use an albuterol inhaler while breastfeeding. He said the medicine doesn't really get into the bloodstream and get in the breast milk much.
I just had bronchitis & I have asthma & alleriges so here's my knowledge of the following:
Antibiotics - some are okay, some not. I was given a z-pak, which is excreted in BM but in very tiny amounts & it's considered safe.
Albuterol & the inhaler - both are fine
Decongestant - hell no. These can dry up your milk almost instantly. Stay far away. Plain mucinex is fine if you need it - just the expectorant kind, not mucinex D. A regular expectorant is better for bronchitis anyway.
Cows milk is not a necessity. I'm not a fan period, but both the GI & the dietitian we saw for Ari said not to bother with it & not to worry about him not having it if he's still allergic after he's a year old or if we just wanted to avoid dairy. As long as hes getting the protein & calcium he needs, no harm done.
More about why avoiding cow's milk is fine:
https://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/Toddlers/ToddlerCalciumIronProtein.htm
Thanks for the links and your thoughts! I did get a z-pack. And I also read on kellymom that "late stage lactation" could be more sensitive to pseudoephedrine. I'm not going to take it - I have dealt with plenty of colds without taking anything. Before I went to the doctor, I was just taking regular mucinex and motrin.
I also found the cow-goat-human milk comparison charts. Those are interesting!
Linky?
Scroll way down and there are links to the charts:
https://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/milk-supplements.html
Oh, and I forgot to add to all of this - the doctor's recommendation to me was to pump for the next week or so and just give DS bottles. I was like, "HUH? Bottles of what?" It was clear that he was pretty clueless about bf'ing, which is why I didn't really trust his opinion. I also asked him if the cough medicine would dry my milk and he said, "No, it shouldn't." Ugh.
I'd be afraid of the meds too but no experience there.
We haven't started cow's milk either. I asked pedi at his 12 month and she said "probably wouldn't hurt to let him try it but not really necessary as long as you are nursing." It didn't even come up at his 15 month as I said I was still nursing. I feel like a lot of kids are drinking way too much cow's milk - replacing water with cow's milk seems totally unnecessary?!?
I am sort of stuck on when/if we should start cow's milk. But like you, we do plenty of other protein and calcium sources in addition to nursing so I'm not worried that he needs it.
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1. I think if DS is nursing several times a day or getting pumped breastmilk he's fine. I rec. about 16-24 oz of milk a day for that age group so if he's getting that much breastmilk, no need in anything else.
DS drinks 2 cups of cows milk at school during the day, and eats lots of cheese, yogurt and nurses at bedtime/am. If I was nursing FT or pumping at work and sending bm I would not give him the cows milk.
Most babies drink waaaaaay too much cow's milk. I find that most parents (especially ff babies) think they have to completely replace the formula/bm with cow's milk-so kids are drinking like 40 + oz of cows milk daily.
2. If it is a z pack, you're fine. In fact there just a few antibiotics you can't take while nursing. The albuterol is also fine.
The only issue with the psuedfed is that is could dry up your milk supply- if you really need it, increase your fluids as much as possible.
I would always rec calling either a LC or the pediatrician's office to ask them to look up meds in "Medications in mother's milk" b/c the pharmacist will always tell you that you can't breastfeed while on them.
Holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!