got kidney stones, can't nurse - sympathy/advice please

[sarahope]

Hey mamas,

I ended up in the ER yesterday after waking up with excruciating pain. I was shocked to learn I have several (!) kidney stones, one of which is quite large. They found evidence that infections was setting in. I'm 25yo in excellent health and have no family history and so was completely blindsided by this. The doctors immediately placed me on strong pain meds and an antibiotic, none of which are approved for nursing. I told the physician that I am breastfeeding, and when he found out that DS is a year old he kind of dismissed my concerns, it was obvious that he felt a one year old doesn't need to be nursing anymore and it wasn't worth getting worked up over. I am NOT interested in weaning DS in the near future, and even if I were, I wouldn't do it overnight!! When I insisted I wasn't going to wean, the doc told me to pump and discard until this ordeal is over - which is at least a week away.

So DS hasn't been nursed by me since yesterday (Sat) morning at 6:00 a.m. This has been as hard or harder than the pain from the kidney stones (which have yet to pass, I'm praying that comes quickly). I've been pumping but only have a crappy manual pump that takes me 40 minutes to get 3-4 oz. I have a good milk supply and DS was a frequent nurser day and night and so am VERY engorged and am starting to worry about plugged ducts since I can't empty the breast without pumping for 2 hours straight (ouch). I'm going to try to track down a hospital grade pump to rent tomorrow which should help. Poor DS has NO idea why his mama can't nurse anymore. We cosleep and he becomes distraught when he can't roll over and latch on for his nightly feeding. Today he was so sad and clingy and frustrated with me. Luckily I have a friend who was willing to come nurse him this evening, which he took to desperately. But she has a low supply and a ten month old, so I know she doesn't want to nurse my DS often, but is willing to help out a little bit.

Mostly I'm looking for a little reassurance - that I don't have to wean DS, that we can get through the next week (which is how long it will take me to finish the course of antibiotics) and that I'll be able to keep my milk supply and that eventually this will all be a painful memory. My DS and I are VERY attached and it is killing me that I can't nurse him - having to literally stop cold turkey has been brutal.

you MDC mamas are always so supportive, TIA for the cyber support.

[mopeggy]

Second opinion

There are very few medications that aren't safe to take while breastfeeding. Most antibiotics are perfectly fine, as are most pain medications. They may be excreted in the breast milk but are unlikely to be harmful to your son. You need to consult a lactation consult, your OB or a midwife or a pharmacist to get a second opinion about whether or not you can breastfeed while on these new medications. I'm a physician myslef and it always irks me when my colleagues tell moms to pump and dump without realizing how disruptive that can be, and that it most of the time isn't even necessary.

[KristyDi]

hope you feel better soon

If you post the names of the meds several moms here have copies of Hale's Mother's Milk and Medication and can look up what you were prescribed and give you the details.

or you could demand that the dr find out what meds they'd give a mom who'd had a c-section and prescribe you that pain killer and antibiotic.

[mommy2two babes]

I had kidney stones when I was 9 weeks pregnant still nursing my 2.5 yr old.
I was taking percocet (SP?) I contacted my pharmacy and they even said that it was fine.

[bobandjess99]

VERY, VERY few medicines can't be taken while nursing.
This sounds like a classic case of "doc didn't care, gave incorrect info out his butt instead of actually looking into it" syndrome.
Pain meds and antibiotics are almost always compatible with nursing.

[dachshundqueen]

Report the doctor to admin.

Liz

[dachshundqueen]

Report the doctor to admin. Contact patient ombudsman at the hospital.

Liz

[ASusan]

Second opinion. NOW.

It is an automatic response for them to say "not while breastfeeding." Why that is, I'm not sure. But I believe it is because they are (1) lazy and (2) concerned about liability.

I have had several procedures where the doc has said, "not while breastfeedng." And when I've really looked into it, or sought a second opinion, there is almost no evidence that it's a problem. And that, too, is part of the problem - that there is no evidence.

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by sarahope

Hey mamas,

I ended up in the ER yesterday after waking up with excruciating pain. I was shocked to learn I have several (!) kidney stones, one of which is quite large. They found evidence that infections was setting in. I'm 25yo in excellent health and have no family history and so was completely blindsided by this. The doctors immediately placed me on strong pain meds and an antibiotic, none of which are approved for nursing. I told the physician that I am breastfeeding, and when he found out that DS is a year old he kind of dismissed my concerns, it was obvious that he felt a one year old doesn't need to be nursing anymore and it wasn't worth getting worked up over. I am NOT interested in weaning DS in the near future, and even if I were, I wouldn't do it overnight!! When I insisted I wasn't going to wean, the doc told me to pump and discard until this ordeal is over - which is at least a week away.

So DS hasn't been nursed by me since yesterday (Sat) morning at 6:00 a.m. This has been as hard or harder than the pain from the kidney stones (which have yet to pass, I'm praying that comes quickly). I've been pumping but only have a crappy manual pump that takes me 40 minutes to get 3-4 oz. I have a good milk supply and DS was a frequent nurser day and night and so am VERY engorged and am starting to worry about plugged ducts since I can't empty the breast without pumping for 2 hours straight (ouch). I'm going to try to track down a hospital grade pump to rent tomorrow which should help. Poor DS has NO idea why his mama can't nurse anymore. We cosleep and he becomes distraught when he can't roll over and latch on for his nightly feeding. Today he was so sad and clingy and frustrated with me. Luckily I have a friend who was willing to come nurse him this evening, which he took to desperately. But she has a low supply and a ten month old, so I know she doesn't want to nurse my DS often, but is willing to help out a little bit.

Mostly I'm looking for a little reassurance - that I don't have to wean DS, that we can get through the next week (which is how long it will take me to finish the course of antibiotics) and that I'll be able to keep my milk supply and that eventually this will all be a painful memory. My DS and I are VERY attached and it is killing me that I can't nurse him - having to literally stop cold turkey has been brutal.

you MDC mamas are always so supportive, TIA for the cyber support.

You do not have to stop cold turkey. Most meds are fine and if they are not have them switch you to ones that are. Most doctors do not have a clue about meds and breastfeedind especially when breastfeeding a toddler, It is totally dif than a baby. Thomas Hale is the best resource also see what you can find on Kellymom.com. You can pm me and I can check my Hale book. Also you can call your local pharmacya nd ask them the info based on your childs age and weight. Also ask them for other med options.

[s_kristina]

I have chronic kidney stones and have nursed both my boys while on antibiotics and pain medication for them. It sounds like your doctor was just doing the normal too busy to care about something so trivial routine. If you post the medications you are on someone will be able to check Dr. Hale's book which is the authority on medications that are ok to use while breastfeeding.

[sarahope]

hey mamas -

I can't thank you all enough - you have taken such a load off of my shoulders. I did in fact talk to a pharmacist and also spent time looking online - looks like you guys were right on the money. The doc didn't know and didn't care to take the time to know about BF implications. The only med that is even remotely warned against was the antibiotic macrobid, which is only contraindicated from birth to four weeks - obviously my 12 mo old will be okay.

After reading all of your advice, I was literally crying tears of relief. My baby and I both thank you so much. I love the wealth of wisdom and experience here at MDC.

So the question I will have to address is if I report it like some of you have suggested. I'm motivated by the fact that his poor advice caused both my son and I a great deal of unnecessary discomfort for almost 48 hours. I've never challenged the system before, so wish me luck. And thanks again everyone

[charleysmama23]

Think of reporting it this way: that physician needs to learn to be sensitive to the needs of EVERY patient he sees. What he should have told you was: I'm not sure, let me do some research/contact our lactation consultant/talk to a colleague, etc. If he has to learn the hard way with a formal reprimand so be it. mama, so glad it worked out for you and your son and hope you are feeling better very soon!!!

[SpiderMum]

yay! I'm so happy for you!

I would contact the hospital/doctors office and ask to speak to someone in charge. Tell them what happened, that the medications were safe in the end, and remind them that the WHO recommends you nurse for a MINIMUM of 2 years....so any doctor telling you to wean needlessly needs to be reprimanded.

[hipmummy]