BFing an 8 mos old and ADHD meds?

[thepeach80]

Anyone have Hale's book or personal experience? I'm pretty sure I have ADHD (along w/ my boys) and I'm looking into getting an official dx and possibly meds. I'm feeling very crazy lately and I need something to help me a better mom etc. I'm currently basically ebfing my 8 mos old though. She's had solids twice now. She has lots of allergies so there's a possibility she won't even tolerate the meds but I want to know what I can going into this. I won't bother w/ a dx right now if I can't even take meds for it, no point IMO.

[Jilian]

I'm pretty positive that you cannot take a stimulant while nursing. Kellymom doesn't have any info but breastfeeding.com has this:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/...lc_ans109.html

and then there is this:
http://drugsafetysite.com/methylphenidate/ (Methylphenidate is the generic form of Ritalin and it is one of the most studied ADHD meds out there)

It looks like there is little to no data on how stimulant meds effect a nursing baby but it does pass through breastmilk so you can assume it may have the same effects on baby that it does on a child: increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and inability to sleep while the meds are in baby's system.

[Heba]

You might find this information helpful:
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/si...temp/~F5COP9:1

I have Hale's at home; if you give me the name of specific meds (would it just be Methylphenidate?), I can look them up and let you know.

[Heba]

Another thought (slightly ot); my son displays ADHD behaviours (no formal diagnosis, but I'm reasonably sure this would be diagnosed) and he has been helped enormously by taking out foods we have found him to be intolerant to. If it's something you might consider, check out www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info .

[Jilian]

I've also heard that one 8 oz cup of coffee is sometimes as effective as a 5mg dose of ritalin. There have also been studies showing that an Omega 3,6,9 supplement is helpful. I've tried both with my DS1 who has ADHD and Autism and have noticed small improvements, but he wasn't a fan of the coffee so we didn't do it for long. I second removing the artificial colors and flavors from your diet, DS is completely out of control after eating artificial colors, mainly red.

[Heba]

OK, at home now and have looked up Methylphenidate in Hale's; he reports the same research as outlined in the LactMed page I linked to earlier, and categorises it as L3. Pediatric concerns: "None reported in 3 infants, but observe for stimulation, insomnia, anorexia, reduced weight gain."

Let me know if I can look up any other meds for you.

[Dahlea]

Ritalin can be used, IF you can time taking it, the peak of it, and next feed.

[thepeach80]

There's lots of meds, Adderall, Adderal XR, Vyvanese, Concerta, that's all I remember off the top of my head.

I don't know if I can do another special diet w/ the kids. They've all had allergies as babies and I'm on such a restricted diet now w/ Olivia, it's hard and I hate that I don't feel like I CAN do it. We're doing the Omega 3, but I can't remember to take them and Evan doesn't like the ones we have (he didn't like the last ones either!). We are against medicating the boys at this point, but I'm another story. I'm not going to have Olivia weaned for some time though, so I might just need to try to get more organized and get an electronic planner and such. That's how my dad lives his life, lol.

[Heba]

Dextroamphetamine (Adderall and Vyvanse) - Hale's lactation risk category L3 in clinical doses (L5 if abused)

Concerta is Methylphenidate (as is Ritalin) - L3 as above.

[thepeach80]

Thanks!

[Carita]

also - from another mom with ADHD, coffee in the AM can act as a stimulant like ADHD drugs. And make sur eyou are taking enough fish oils. I was taking nordic naturals, but then I went up to a higher dose of spectrum and aits working much better.