wife sick breastfeeding help

Hey guys, my wife was sick all last night.  She vomiting and diarrhea.  Doctor today said she has flu and food poisoning.  He wants her on antibotics and said she would need to stop breastfeeding for a week and stay away from baby for two days.  Our babies doctors office doesn't open until 1.  Does this sound right?  Everything I read said you should continue breastfeeding and not stop.  I know she can't breastfeed on med's but why can't she take something else.  Please advise!

[mommyluv02]

yes i think it sounds right because if she is taking medication that is not good for the baby and if she is sick she could pass it on to the baby through her breast milk

[BusyMom92960206]

It would depend on the meds as far as the b/f and what class it is.  As far as the staying away from the baby, no that doesn't sound right, when I asked my doctor as well as the ped. when they was a virus going around here, I was told to continue breastfeeding just not to breathe directly in the babies face.  She has already been exposed prior to your wife getting sick.  I would just check with the pharmacist about the antibotic (antibiotic) and see what risks are involved with b/feeding.  Good luck.

[tomel]

Many pregnant woman take antibiotics for lots of different reasons. I dont understand why the doc wouldnt be able to give her an antibiotic that is safe for pregnant/nursing woman. There are different kinds that can be prescribed. I would double check.

If she stops breastfeeding for a week that might totally screw up the whold breast feeding process. If she does have to stop call someone in your area from Le Leche league or a lactation consultant that can advise you on how to feed her without having her reject the breast in a week. I know when I was in the hospital they had me supplement with formula cause my son had jaundice. Instead of using a bottle (so he wouldnt reject my breast)they had me use a tuber and put it in his mouth to feed formula (almost like an IV in the mouth) to feed.

[Terri3111]

That doesn't sound right. I have been put on antibiotics while breastfeeding and have never been told to stop nursing. It does depend on the antibiotic, but he should be able to give her something that she would be able to take and continue nursing. As far as staying away from the baby...her breastmilk (even aside from the antibiotics) give the baby immunities from whatever she has..and busymom is right...the baby was exposed even before your wife developed symptoms.

[Terri3111]

I can't believe they had you give formula because you baby had jaundice! Breasfeeding helps to flush out the extra bilirubin (sp) that causes jaundice ALOT faster than formula.
My second child had jaundice and they were putting him under the u/v lights and told me that he wouldn't be able to nurse because he needed to stay there. I told them I didn't want him having formula so I pumped for him. He refused the bottle so they ended up bringing him to me anyway...just to nurse and then go back. They said he would have to be under the lights for at least 3-4 days. He was only there for a day and a half!

[AnnieBrooke]

At the worst, if I were your wife, I would 'pump and dump,' but that would be only if my baby's doctor told me to (not what my doctor said, my doctor is not a pediatrician).  I would in the meantime puimp and save it, until you can get an answer from the pediatrician.  Most doctors have a way to reach someone in an emergency, even after hours -- call the pediatrician's number and when the service comes on, explain you need someone to call you back right away.  

[AnnieBrooke]

If your baby has jaundice the first three days (before your milk comes in) and you are only producing colostrum, it is possible to have too little to flush the baby's system and for the baby to get very dehydrated and for the jaundice to get worse.  When the milk comes in that is fine, but at first it is just colostrum, and women don't make as much colostrum as they do milk.  They are lucky if they make three ounces in several hours. So supplementing with formula, at that early stage, in the face of neonatal dehydration making jaundice worse, is approved medical practice.

[cutiemama]

I've actually never heard of antibiotics being Rxed for a flu or food poisoning. That said, I'm sure there are meds that are perfectly safe while bfing. I've been on antibiotics on numerous occasions while bfing.

[grammy64]

Listen to this advice until another medical professional tells you otherwise.  Have her pump and dump as often or a little more than she usually would until given the okay to go back to normal breastfeeding schedule.

Good Luck, and hope she is feeling better soon.

[tomel]

I didnt have alot of milk, so they had me give him formula so he would poop more. Alot of the jaundice comes out from pooping. I did still nurse of course, I made sure he was in with me as much as possible to do so. Unfortuanely the hospital and ped. I had at the time didnt even put him under the light (idiots and then some other nasty words I wont say) They had us put him in the sun, well we of course didnt know any better he was our first.
The ped. I have now DOES NOT take any chances with jaundice and told me that if my new baby has it he WILL be put in the light.
LIVE AND LEARN Boy this new hospital and set of docs that I have are sure gona be given a run for their money with me.Ha Ha
Rememer when its your first you dont always know and unfortunately put alot (to much trust ) in others to know. But at least the way they did have me give him formula did not jepordize the nursing, that happens alot.

[myproblem]

There are so many kinds of antibiotics that a woman can take while breastfeeding. I don't think the Dr. did his best on this one. Try the American Academy of Pediatrics website and see what it says about her particular Rx. Also, call him back and see ifthere is any other choice of antibiotic for her case.

[4EVERDK]

She needs to breast feed to keep her milk but they baby can go without for a week if needed.  I would have her pump for that week and just get ride of the milk that way she wont lose it.