Breast vs Bottle

Hello Ladies!

I'm 5 month along, baby #2, but I'm starting to think of breast feeding now so I can be informed and more prepaired.  I need advice and resources.

Most of you know I have a chem-port so I can give iv fluids and meds at home (I have a rare stomach disorder).  The port is located in my chest right above the breast.  They say breast feeding is possible, but I don't know if it will make it harder.  I don't know what to expect.  I'm also on a lot of medications, could that affect my milk?  And since I can't always drink, I do the iv fluids, but could that also affect the production of breast milk?

I know breast is best, but I'm not very good at it.  I took a breast feeding class when I was pregnant with my son, I was only able to breast feed him for 2 weeks then went to a bottle.  I'm really big breasted, a DD right now.  When I had him I was in a F!!  It was horrible, he never latched on right, he was always hungry (on the breast every hour), and I felt like I was smothering him.

I'd really like to try to breast feed this baby, but I need some advice and resources.  Do you all have any ideas for me?  

[kellym]

Did you just get this port? Because you say you have breast fed in the past? Also, are you on new medications then as well from the last time you breast fed? These days I think people I hear about (sisters friends & such) give up waay too early or just don't try to begin with.  I just put my mind to it and it worked really well for me. You need to check with your dr. because only they know what medications you are and which ones are or aren't safe for the baby.

[kellym]

Ok, just read your whole story. I think the only person who can help you with your questions is your Dr. Good Luck.

[boosty]

is there anyway that you can stay off all medications for the first two weeks the baby is born? if you can do that, then breast feed the first two weeks then switch to formula. the fluid your body creates the first two weeks is essential for the child. after that, i personally have no problem with formula . i know plenty of women who didnt breast feed. and my doctor said its fine. the only thing is that i heard when you breast feed, the baby gets out its sexual frustrations. i knwo its bad to just come out and say that. but it calms the baby for the future. i hope you understood and not taken it the wrong way. as for medication being in your milk, i say yes no matter what doctors say. when i was breast feeding the first time, i got a bad flu and took nyquil green color. and for a day and a half, my milk was completely green . i pumped. so no matter what you take, it will go through your milk.good luck. i say dont worry about formula. if you have a medical condition and you need to be on medicine, its safer for baby to be on formula then on your milk i say. but still talk to your doctor and let me know what they say. good luck

[peekawho]

I probably won't say it as eloquently as others might, but it depends on the meds you are taking, and your general nutrition status.

If you can't take in enough nutrients b/c of the vomiting (you need a lot of extra nutrients to grow and feed a baby), and are on multiple meds, bottle feeding might be a better choice.
Just plain iv fluids, even if you have multivits added, isn't really nutrition.  Not enough for you and a baby, in any event.

See how things go when its closer to time, and speak to the lactation consultant and your pediatrician.  They'll know the meds you are on, and if breastfeeding is even an option at all.

[WhatYouMakeMe]

Thanks you all, everyone said some good things.  I will be asking my doctors about this next time I see them.

I have to take my medications, there is just no getting around that.  I take iv. zofran 10 mg every 6 hours, phenergan 50 mg every 4 hours.  I HAVE to them, if not I do throw up over 8-10 times a day.  I could try to stop the antidepressants the Celexa and the Ambien, but my bipolar takes over, my insomnia kicks in, and I had some post pardum depression with Jack, that scares me.  When I had Jack I wasn't sick.  I got very ill when he was 1, thats when it started.

My nutrition isn't good, due to my nausea, I get sick so much my hair falls out in clumps sometimes, and I vomit so much I vomit blood at times.  My babys life line is my fluids and my prenatals.  She is doing good, measures 9 day bigger then her due date, my doctor said whatever I was doing, to keep doing it because she wasn't suffering at all.  That made me feel better, but like I said I don't know much about the breast feeding thing.  It doesn't look like its a good option for me, huh??

What do you think I should do??  Research???  Do you think I should try??  Do you think I can do it in a way that would be healthy for me and the baby.  I just want whats best for her.  What do you think?

[boosty]

i just think that last question is really something that only your doctor should answer you. my opinion is that you should not breast feed. but ask

[boosty]

i just think that last question is really something that only your doctor should answer you. my opinion is that you should not breast feed. but ask

[peekawho]

You primarily have to take care of yourself.  Don't stop any medications unless your doctor tells you to.   If the baby has to have formula, she'll be perfectly fine.

[jenstam]

I wanted to add that it's normal for a baby to want to eat every hour or even less in the first weeks. That's all (:

[WhatYouMakeMe]

: ) Well, thanks for trying to help you guys!  I'll consult with the doctors and let you know what they say, but its looking like bottle might be best for us.  We'll see, thanks again!

[kcs08]

I am a huge supporter for BFing but since you take all those meds I would think that you will be told by your doc to bottlefeed!  Especially w/Ambien-sleep aid...