How to handle meds, not force to wean

[iris777888]

I've got an almost 5-yr old who nurses a little bit most days (but not all) either at waking or before sleep. I've come down with an eye infection and they want me to take Bactrim (antibiotic) for 10 days.

Doctor said Bactrim is class C, but generally considered safe for kids over 2 months. Of course they recommended just not nurse him would be preferable. DS is not likely to take that well. :( He's not ready to give up nursing, based on his behavior and my conversations with him to date.

If I should decide to go the not nursing him route, is my milk supply likely to be affected should he want to start up again after? Should I be trying to hand express or anything to make sure it's still available? 

If I take this, with the little that he is nursing, how much will get to him? Where/how can I find out the best time of day to take it so he would get the least amount in my milk? Should I also try to give him a probiotic to help counter the effects?

I do not want this to turn into a forced weaning event if that's not what he wants. I also do not want him to be negatively affected by the antibiotics. The only other time I've been on an meds since pregnancy was Amoxicillin once for a dental issue a couple years ago. Probably coincidence, but that was also the first time he ever had an allergic asthma attack, which makes me extra leery.

Any suggestions, or even just commiseration, would be helpful.  Thank you!

[PatioGardener]

I'm sorry you're sick, and also that you got such bad advice from your doc!

Here is some info that may help you with your decisions.

1) bactrim is given (at much larger concentrations that your 5 year old will get from your milk) to babies. A good friend of mine had to have her newborn on it for almost a year because of bad kidney reflux.

2) bactrim is a completely different molecule than amoxil - so there won't be any cross-reaction allergy possibility there. Of course people can be independently allergic to sulfa drugs.

Someone with Hale's book could look it up for you. The 2004 version lists it as an L3, with  concern for newborns and babies with high levels of bilirubin. But there is a 2010 version now that may have more info.

Hope that helps

[iris777888]

Thanks for the info, PatioGardener. I ended up calling the Infant Risk Center, as I found suggested elsewhere on this board. They were able to look it up and tell me the best time to take the medicine in the hopes of giving my child the lowest possible dose via my milk, as well as other info about it.

Today I went back for my recheck and they switched me to another antibiotic, better for him (and me! Bactrim made me feel quite ill!) and that I only have to take for 4 more days.

Also, my DS was suprisingly understanding so far! Both nights when I said no milk because of my medicine, he said OK. Still wondering if milk supply is likely to be affected should he want to start up again after. Pretty sure he will; he's asked both nights and keeps saying he'll have it when I'm better. 

Kinda wondering how much he's been getting. He only usually only has a few sips on each side, sometimes more, but I can't really hand express more than a few drops! The dr. asked me how old he was, then said she was surprised I still had milk left?! Thought that was kind of an odd comment.

[PatioGardener]

So good to hear that infant risk too care of you! And that you only have a few more days of the medication left.

[iris777888]

Woohoo! Made it through all the meds as of yesterday morning. DS was willing to just wait, so not antibiotics were passed through to him. Tonight I said he could have milk again if he wanted. He said he was happy I was finally all better, took a sip and excitedly said there is still milk left.  And that's all he's had so far.

So proud of him for the way he handled it all, and glad everything went as well as possible. It's possible this may be the beginning of the end, or hasten it in some fashion, but I am feeling totally OK with that if that's what happens.