AboutMichele Carnesecca Expertise Author of the book "MOMMY"S LITTLE BREASTFEEDING BOOK: 101 TIPS YOUR BABY WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT NURSING" (Go to littlebreastfeedingbook.com for purchasing information). I can answer questions on the benefits of breastfeeding, how to increase your milk supply,
engorgement, mastitis, scheduling feedings, going back to work, sore nipples, correct
latch and positioning, pumps, bras, bottles, pacifiers, breastfeeding products, how to
know if your baby is getting enough, and most questions about breastfeeding. I have
worked as a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics, Newborn ICU, and Mother/Baby. I have been a
Lactation Consultant for 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I teach Prenatal Breastfeeding
classes and I currently work as a Lactation Consultant at a "Magnet" hospital. I have
breastfed 4 children of my own.
Experience I have worked as a registered nurse in Pediatrics, Mother/Baby, and Newborn ICU. I have been a Lactation Consultant for the past 10 years and I am IBCLC certified. I currently work as a lactation consultant in a "Magnet" hospital. I also teach Prenatal Breastfeeding classes. I have breastfed four children of my own. I have a new book coming out in May 2008 called "Mommy's Little Breastfeeding Book: 101 tips your baby wants you to know about nursing". I
Organizations IBCLC
Publications
Education/Credentials High School graduate, RN degree from Weber State/Utah State University, IBCLC member
Expert: Michele Carnesecca Date: 6/24/2008 Subject: trying to pump while on meds so baby can stioll nurse after
Question I recently was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer and kidney infection all in one day. I was put on several antibiotics and told that I couldn't nurse my 3 month old son. My heart broke, and I went out and bought a pump and started pumping and dumping as we battled to get him to eat formula. He now takes the bottle well after 4 days of this, but I am still determined to go back to nursing. My problem is that I feel like through pumping my milk supply is dwindling and I am concerned that I won't be able to return to nursing him. I am also wondering how long after I am done taking the meds is it safe to nurse again. I was put on Cipro for my kidney and today was my last dose of that. For the corneal ulcer I was put on 2 meds, an eye drop called Zymar which is gatifloxacin 0.3% and an eye gel called Ciloxan, which I guess is Cipro for your eye. Please help, I don't know when I can safely nuse again or how to get me milk supply back up. Thanks so much for any help.
Answer Hi Brienne,
Boy....what a day you had with 2 diagnoses. Hopefully, you are feeling better.
As far as the Cipro goes, the latest information shows that you actually CAN nurse while taking it, but there are better antibiotic options to take while breastfeeding. Here is some great information on it that I cut and will paste below:
"Cipro is not ideal for the nursing mother, but it is not contraindicated either. In fact, it is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in nursing moms (http://www.aap.org/policy/0063). However, there are close relatives to it that are better for nursing moms (for instance, norfloxacin or ofloxacin) that the DR might prescribe instead, or even another drug in a completely different family. There are many different antibiotics that are OK for nursing moms.
Ciprofloxacin is listed as category L3 or "moderately safe" in the 2004 edition of "Medications and Mothers' Milk" by Thomas Hale PhD. Cipro has been implicated in a problem called arthropathy in which the synovium (lining of the joint) in young animals (beagle dogs) was noted to swell significantly. It is controversial as to whether this occurs in human infants. Therefore, fluoroquinolones are generally avoided in children less than 18 years of age, but they are commonly used in children with cystic fibrosis, as nothing else works after a while. Also, some pediatricians do use them when they feel the culture sensitivities require them. There is also a report of pseudomembranous colitis (bloody diarrhea) in an infant of a breastfeeding mother taking ciprofloxacin.
If you do use Cipro while nursing watch the infant closely for any signs of intestinal problems (like diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea). Studies suggest that the amount of Cipro that is transferred in breastmilk is low. The quinolone group of antibiotics has also been associated with joint problems when used in adolescents though the amount of drug these children received was much higher than the amount which would be present in breastmilk. Tooth discoloration has also been reported.
If your doctor is set on using a fluoroquinolone antibiotic Ofloxacin or Levofloxacin are probably better choices for nursing mothers. They are in the same family and can be used alternately but produce milk levels 5 times less than that of Cipro. You might ask your DR to change your prescription to one of those if you have concern about using the Cipro.
Dr. Jack Newman, in his book "The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers" (published in 2000), says after after explaining a case where it would have been preferable to use Cipro, "what we did not know at ths time of this case was that, in fact, Cipro is NOT contraindicated during bf. It was said to be b/c work in beagle puppies showed that they developed joint damage when they (not their mothers taking it while they bf incidentally) were treated with this drug. However, more recent studies done with children who have been on large doses of Cipro sometimes for years has shown no evidence at all of joint damage. Humans are not beagles..... At the same time this mom came to the clinic the drug had been around for so little time it would have been foolhardy to say it was ok with bf even though other members of this same drug family were compatible with bf.........the mom eventually decided to learn how to inject herself with Gentamicin (it can only be given in injection)...so this seemingly unsolvable problem was resolved b/c everyone involved believed bf was important and took time to find a solution."
Regardless of which drug mom chooses, it's best to take it right AFTER nursing so that baby's exposure is minimal. Adding an Acidophilus supplement to mom's diet is also a good idea.
Seems to me that you might either get an alternate (better for BF) med prescribed, or continue nursing while taking the cipro. Weaning for two weeks is, in my opinion, a very distant third choice."
You should be able to start nursing as soon as possible now that you are done taking it. In order to get your milk supply up, I would recommend renting a hospital grade rental pump where you can pump both breasts at the same time. Do this every 2 hours for 15 minutes and/or after every feeding at the breast for 10-15 minutes. You can also try power pumping once a day. To do this, you will pump for 10 minutes. Take the pump off for 10 minutes. Pump again for 10 minutes. Do this for the space of an hour. Make sure to feed your baby often (at least 10 times in 24 hours to increase your supply) and keep your baby with you all day (a sling or baby carrier works great for this). Eat well, drink well, and sleep well. You should start to see and increase in your milk supply in a couple of days.
If you are having your baby go back to the breast, I would recommend a lactation consultation if he is having problems. You can go to ilca.org for a list of consultants in your area. I personally don't feel that your baby will have too much of a problem after such a short amount of time.
If you need to see if drugs are compatible and safe to take while breastfeeding, you can look up "Medications and Mother's Milk" by Thomas Hale online or contact a lactation consultant who can look it up for you.
I wish you the best of luck. Let me know if you have more questions or need further clarification.
