meds with BF

i'm taking anti seizure meds right now during my pregnancy.. i want to breast feed because for one, it saves a ton of money and has a lot of good benefits, is it very dangerous for me to BF taking my meds or do i have to go formula.

I am unsure I would talk to you doctor about it.

You may need to have the doctor monitor your LO for any issues. I would talk to a lactation consultant and doctor about the safety of the medication while breastfeeding and risks/benefits. What medication is it (if you don't mind my asking)?

i'm only 7 weeks, sooo i have a long time to talk to my doctor about it. i've just been wandering. i take trileptal and lamactal. i have severe bipolar disorder so going off is a huge no even during pregnancy.  

Check LactMed. I have it as an app on my phone and it is online.
http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

I would assume that since you are taking it while pregnant, it can still pass through the placenta. I don't know what class that drug is in, but I was on blood pressure meds and it was okay for me to breast feed, even though it clearly said it has unknown side effects for infants. I did not breast feed with either child because of it.

A pharmacist would also be able to help you.

Quoting *Mrs Cherry*:" Check LactMed. I have it as an app on my phone and it is online. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT"

Yes better to check here and through LLL, rather than your regular doc.
Generally what is safe in pregnancy is ok for breastfeeding too.
You could also use donor milk, WHO recommend that over formula bcos of the risks.
There are usually safe alternative medicines, so even if the one you are on isn't suitable, perhaps your neurologist could move you onto another. That's really something you are going to have to speak to with your medical team, after finding out from a breastfeeding specialist which medicines in this category are considered safe/r. Often the possible risks of a medication still outweigh the risks of using commercial formula.

Quoting cupcake loves you:" i'm only 7 weeks, sooo i have a long time to talk to my doctor about it. i've just been wandering. i ... [snip!] ... wandering. i take trileptal and lamactal. i have severe bipolar disorder so going off is a huge no even during pregnancy.  "

I'm bipolar I. I went off my Depakote and Abilify and let my psychologist keep an eye on me. My psychiatrist wasn't happy with me but it was my choice. I have not gone back on my medication yet but will if it becomes unavoidable. I'm sorry that your dealing with such a tough decision, I understand where you're coming from.

This is what I found on the medications. A lactation consultant could give you better more detailed info. Your LOs pedi should be informed if you decide to breastfeed so they can do any testing or monitoring necessary.


Lamictal and Breastfeeding: What Does the Research Say?


Although Lamictal passes through breast milk, little information about any negative effects of the drug on breastfed infants is available. If your healthcare provider recommends taking Lamictal while breastfeeding, be sure to watch for any side effects in your child.
http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/lamictal/lamictal-and-breastfeeding.html



What Does the Research Say?


Trileptal passes through breast milk in humans. Although the full risks are not known, most documented cases suggest there is little risk to the nursing infant. Still, if your healthcare provider recommends taking Trileptal while breastfeeding, be sure to watch for any side effects in your child.
http://epilepsy.emedtv.com/trileptal/trileptal-and-breastfeeding.html

Quoting *Mrs Cherry*:" Check LactMed. I have it as an app on my phone and it is online. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT"

OMG, thank you so much for this. i looked up them both and all mothers who breastfed with both my meds were perfectly fine.

i'll still talk to my doctor but from what i read breast feeding is fine, just have to keep an eye on things.

Quoting cupcake loves you:" i'll still talk to my doctor but from what i read breast feeding is fine, just have to keep an eye on things."

That's wonderful! I hope everything goes well for you.  

Quoting Crystal Mom of 4:" That's wonderful! I hope everything goes well for you.  "

oh yes, me too.   thank you.

Quoting cupcake loves you:" OMG, thank you so much for this. i looked up them both and all mothers who breastfed with both my meds were perfectly fine."

I have used it sooooo many times since I found out that it is what most Drs and Pharmacist use.

Quoting *Mrs Cherry*:" I have used it sooooo many times since I found out that it is what most Drs and Pharmacist use. "

thats neat, well it takes a lot of pressure off