I wanted to EBF.. I told the doctor I was having some shortness of breath when I went to get my staples out from my section. So I got sent to the ER and had a catscan and another xray to make sure everything was good. No clots (thank goodness) but they said I can't breast feed for at least 2-3 weeks. so I can either pump and dump or FF. Is it worth pumping and dumping for almost a month or should I switch to formula for good?
Also, If I do stop, whats the best and fastest (least amount of pain) way to reduce my milk production so they aren't so hard and full?
Re: I need some opinions and advice on breastfeeding please! :)
The x-rays.
Wait... so... the doctors are saying that the X-rays have made it unsafe for you to BF for 2 weeks?
I am not a doctor nor an expert but to be honest that sounds like absolute horsecrap. Was it just a typical X-ray? I'm so confused, I can't imagine being told this. Did you post on the BF board?
If there truly is a risk to it I'd pump and dump, but wow, this just sounds weird to me.
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Sometimes doctors are so stupid...they don't understand breast feeding, they don't understand medication in breastmilk, and they don't think it's a big deal to pump and dump, etc. If you had any contrast dye, they may have a reason for you to pump and dump, otherwise...no reason for you to stop breast feeding at all. So, if you had an IV or had to drink something while you were there, I would be cautious, if you did not, don't worry about it, AT ALL! If you did have an IV, call and find out what they gave you, then contact a lactation consultant ASAP! They can give you specific information on the medications they gave you that you can use to discuss with your pediatrician what your plan should be...but a few weeks is more than excessive, most of the meds they would give you clear your system in 24 hours.
Don't just ignore the doctor's warnings, but please talk to someone who is better informed and can help you make a better decision.
You should definitely find out exactly what you were given. Like PP said, doctors can be absolute morons in this area, and that's extremely unfortunate; you don't tell a brand new young mom who definitely wants to BF that she needs to give her baby formula for a few weeks unless it is absolutely, completely necessary, and in your case, I definitely suspect that's not the case at all!
This link might help you: https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/radioisotopes/
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I replied before you posted this. If you know already what kind of dye it was, do you have the number of a lactation consultant or someone at the hospital where you delivered that you can ask questions? A nurse line or LC will not be able to give you specific medical advice, but they can give you info that you can use to discuss the issue with your pedi, who CAN give you medical advice.
I've seen this over and over again as a nurse in the hospital. They don't want to be held accountable, so they just give you this BS advice. Even IF this were true, there are plenty of other options of things they could have given you that don't take that long to leave your system...they should have considered that before just giving it to you.
Sorry I'm on a soap box, but I had a MD try pulling this crap with me today about a procedure I need to have done post partum. I love this doc, but she really pushed my buttons with her ignorance today! Thankfully I had already talked to my pedi about it before going to the appointment today, and he agreed with me.
I would be so PISSED. They shouldn't have done anything that could compromise your breastfeeding unless it was a very serious situation which it sounds like at that time it wasn't.
I agree with all the previous suggestions, because even if you keep your milk supply up you will likely have a difficult time getting baby to latch again after a 3 week break when he is so young still. It's still worth a try though, and worst case scenario I'd keep my supply up and then do everything I could to re-establish breastfeeding once it was safe.