Supplementing when on medication

[leighann79]

I may need to go on medication again for my bipolar symptoms. Last time, my nursling (DD2) was 2 when I had to start medication and so I wasn't too worried because her nursing had cut back some. This time, DS2 is only 5 months old. My first goal is to make it to 6 months before starting medication, but hopefully I'll make it to 12 months. Even so, he will probably be nursing more than DD2 was at 2 years. So, I was thinking of supplementing some so that he exposure to the medications was reduced further.
If I used a formula, I was thinking of Baby's Only from Natures One. I'd rather not use formula though. At what point (what age) would it be ok to give him raw goats milk once a day instead?
Any other thoughts of something I haven't thought of?

[boobs4milk]

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/cgi-bin/d...s&access=guest

that's hale's online. i would not give baby any milk but my own until after 12 mos minimum, but i d k what the actual rec's are.

[cmhermes]

What medication will you be taking? It looks like accoring to Hale lithium is the only real concern in the anti-manic anticonvulsant medication, and that's what I've heard before, too. Is it possible to take an older, better studied med like depakote, tegretol, even lactimal?
I'm not sure about the goat's milk, but if you needed to use formuls, yes I would use the Baby's Only formula.
Good luck to you! As a mama on psychiatric meds and nursing my babies, I understand the difficulties of weighing your options and finding what is best for you and your baby!

[leighann79]

I would start on Welbutrin XR and Trileptal since that is what worked well last time.

[PatioGardener]

And remember that donor milk could be an option as well, if you do decide to supplement.

[cmhermes]

I know the wellbutrin is ok, I'm on that. Trileptal is a form of carbamezine, or tegretol, right? Kind of like lexapro is the mirror image of celexa. It's one of the oldest anti seazure meds around.
Personally, this combo would not stop me from nursing 5 month old, but with all things, do your research and find your comfort level.
Here is what Dr. Hale says http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/me...tml?1126275219

[cmhermes]

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/discus/me...tml?1260128029

Dr. Hale also states Wllbutrin is most likely safe but may decrease supply. Again, from my own personal experience, I never noticed a decrease in suplly, but YMMV.

[leighann79]

Yeah, I never noticed a reduction in supply when I was on it last time. I tend toward overproduction though. LOL

Would you really be ok with nursing a 5 month old on those? (of course you would be, you said so. lol) I didn't know if I was being too laid back about it. I was fine with Colleen because she was 2 and eating solids also. She still nursed a lot, but it wasn't her only intake. Nothing I read about the Trileptal worried me really, yk?

I'll keep that in mind as I think about going on medication again. Thanks!

[annekh23]

I'm nursing right now, so I can't reach my copy of Hale's to look up the T one, I'm on wellbutrin though, so I know I'm comfortable with it! Oddly enough, my milk supply went up, I had to start block feeding for overactive let down at 6mths! I've been on it for about 6 weeks now and I really think it's actually increasing the amount of glandular tissue in my breasts, I've lost over 10lb in that time and my boobs are getting bigger and popping out of my bras and clothes! It's a reminder to me that different responses to medication can include the exact opposite response, like occassionally morphine causing an increase in pain.