medication/BFing confusion...

[jessicarae]

I'm taking medication that I think is affecting my 34-month-old's behavior and I don't know whether to stop the medication, wean, or neither...

I began taking ADD medication a few months back after exhaustive research and soul-searching on the subject, and the go-ahead from an expert in breastmilk and medication, who said the meds would move so quickly through my system they'd barely show up in the BM. I thought I noticed a correlation w/ beginning the meds and short-temperedness/crankiness w/ my daughter...but then, we're talking about a 2-1/2 year old...

I felt so much better, mentally, it was a radical improvement. I could actually focus and stay on task for the first time in years and didn't feel like my brain was an overturned file cabinet.

The medication had evened off and my dr. increased my dosage. Again, I've noticed a marked increase in whining and tantrums, and perhaps decreased appetite, that correlates with when I increased the dose last week. She still BFs 2-3 times/day and is very invested in "nursies." I had felt committed to her weaning on her own time, but now I am really worried. I feel heartbroken at the thought of weaning, heartbroken at the thought of this medication causing her distress...I know in my gut her behavior shift is because of the medicine. My partner keeps saying, "What is going on with her?!" and I haven't told him I've increased my dose, I feel so conflicted. He supports extended BFing, sees its merits, but also would be happy if we weaned now. I could go off the medication, but I need to continue my freelance work and was seriously unable to do my best work before. My husband is out of work following back surgery and I just can't afford, $$ wise or responsibility-wise, to go back to feeling so spaced out, tired and half in the bag all the time. I don't know what to do.

[CheriK]

Did you contact Hale's Infant Risk Center (806-352-2519)? I think that would be my first step.

I find it really hard to believe that a medication could accumulate enough in breastmilk for your nursling to get enough to get a medically active dose (only nursing 2-3 x a day). But if it accumulates & her body is unable to metabolize it quickly, then perhaps it could be causing the changes you're seeing. If your gut instinct is that this is due to the medication, then you'll need to weigh the benefits to you (and her - having mom feel better & more productive is important!) versus the negative effects on her. Are there any studies of long-term behavior changes in infants whose breastfeeding mothers take this medication during infancy? Having some idea of the possibility of long-term effects might help in making a decision.

I wonder if you could try reducing the amount she nurses and see if that changes anything. Maybe also adjusting when you take the medication (talk to your doctor); if she doesn't nurse at night and you could take it immediately after her last nursing session, then it might be at lower levels by the time she asks to nurse in the morning.

I also wonder if the behavior changes might be due in part to YOUR behavior changes. If you're feeling more organized and productive, are you spending more time working and less time "playing" with her? Is she noticing the change in your attitude and your worry about her? That could be affecting her behavior, too.

[jessicarae]

thank you for your thoughtful feedback! I'll contact the Hale # tomorrow...Great place to start.

[aylaanne]

Just food for thought, our kids are about the same age, and my son has also been going through these crazy phases--sans ADD medication. I don't know what Hale's told you, but it is entirely possible that your daughter's behavior is developmental, and not related to your medication. The trace amounts showing up in your breastmilk may be exacerbating this, but I personally would doubt it.