[KC in KS]

On the benefits baby gets from nursing past 12 months.

I'm in the position of needing to resume taking a certain medication that is not safe while nursing. Yes, I've looked it up in Hale's book already.

I think I can hold off the drug until DD hits 12 months (four months from now). But I'm trying to decide about weaning after that. I know the risks to me if I don't resume the drug. What I don't know is what sort of benefits DD gets from extended nursing. I need to be able to compare the two lists to make my decision.

Help me out?

 

[alegna]

Your baby continues to get the exact same benefits after 12 months as before. Nothing magically changes at that point.

good luck with your decision

-Angela

 

[crunchyconmomma]

nothing magically changes, but around 18 mos the antibody levels do change in accord with baby becoming more independent and venturing farther out into the world, thus being exposed to new things.

 

[KC in KS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna Your baby continues to get the exact same benefits after 12 months as before. Nothing magically changes at that point. good luck with your decision -Angela

OK, maybe I should be more clear.

I know there's no "magic switch" at twelve months. But as babies begin to get more of their nutrition from solids, and breastmilk-as-sustenance begins to drop off, what's left?

Immunologic boost - I'd hate to give that one up, that's for sure
Comfort/relationship - I've got mixed feelings here, but that's just the nature of our nursing relationship

Most of the other things I can think of - IQ boost, protection against obesity/diabetes - are mostly obtained in the first year, aren't they? Don't we start getting into diminishing returns?

What else am I not thinking of?

KC

 

[Electra375]

Is there a chance the medication is only in the blood plasma for a short time and you could with hold nursing during that time?

Is the Molecular weight such that it is easily passed into the bm or is it a higher weight which is believed to not pass so readily?
When does the peak happen?

The benefits of nursing past 1 year -- immunities and bonding. But you know you've given your baby the best head start possible, so if weaning is best don't feel bad about it for a split second. DD needs her mom to be there for her and if mom needs medication to do that to the best of her abilities then the benefits of continuing to nurse do not out weigh the benefits of taking the medication.

 

[KC in KS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electra375 Is there a chance the medication is only in the blood plasma for a short time and you could with hold nursing during that time? Is the Molecular weight such that it is easily passed into the bm or is it a higher weight which is believed to not pass so readily? When does the peak happen?

No, that's one thing I took away from Hale. This drug is found in constant levels regardless of dosage time. He specifically says timing dosing/nursing is not an effective technique. And it definitely is found in significant quantities in breastmilk.

 

[hottmama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC in KS Most of the other things I can think of - IQ boost, protection against obesity/diabetes - are mostly obtained in the first year, aren't they? Don't we start getting into diminishing returns? KC

Nope, at my LLL toddler meeting we got a bunch of info on why nursing is good for toddlers, and there was a study on obesity and length of BFing and the obesity rate at 8 yrs. old was lower according to the duration of nursing. It was around 5% for never-BFed kids, and only 0.8% for kids BFed for two years. I can't remember the other numbers, but it was a very clear relationship, and 2 yrs. had way more benefit than 1. It sucks that they stopped at 2- I'd like these studies to include people who BFed for 3+ years as well, because I'm positive the benefits continue in the same way. I have heard that the same is for IQ- the longer the higher. But I haven't seen the study myself, so I'm not promising.
I'd guess the protection against cancer, asthma, etc. is better with longer nursing as well, along with the immune issues.

 

[Heavenly]

Is there an alternative drug you could take? I am supposed to be on lithium as I have bipolar. it is one of the only drugs that can't be breastfed on but it is really important to me that I extended nurse so I researched and found a possible alternative to try. I am now on Wellbutrin and it doesn't control everything quite as well as the lithium but it does a pretty good job.

 

[Calidris]

Kellymom info:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

 

[Ruthla]

Definitely research the possibility of treating your condition with another medication, or with non-drug methods. Research the safety of this medication for a toddler- is it completely contra-indicated, or would it be OK for an older nursling to ingest this drug? If you decide to wean (either now or at some point in the future) there's still plenty you can do to optimize your child's health.

I think a lot has to do with how you feed and interact with your child after weaning. Obesity risks are going to be lower if your child eats wholesome foods and is encouraged to stop eating when full. Breastmilk is a convenient source of many nutrients, including the EFAs linked to brain health/IQ, but it's certainly not the ONLY source of these nutrients. You could give your toddler a fish oil supplement and/or use a supplemented infant formula (home made a la Weston Price or commercial) as a breastmilk substitute after weaning, even if your child is over 12m at that time.

From an emotional standpoint, nursing is certainly not the ONLY way to interact with a toddler or preschooler! It just happens to be a very convenient method to comfort a cranky toddler, and many women who are AP/NFL, and want to be there for their toddlers emotionally, will choose to bf a long time. You could give the same emotional benefits by being there for your child physically, with lots of holding, cuddling, and skin-to-skin contact, even without breastfeeding.

It's a very tough choice to make- trying to balance your health needs with those of your child. It's hard to be emotionally available to your child when you're unwell- you may find that you're able to be more responsive with treatment than you can be without treatment while breastfeeding.

Good luck.