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Breastfeeding/Cannot Nurse for 8 Days, Will it be Confusing to my Daughter to Start Again?

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Expert: - 7/9/2011


Question
My Family
My Family
I recently got a very bad infection and had to start a round of ciprofloxacin, after trying a different antibiotic and having it not work.  I am also taking a steroid.  My daughter is 6 months old and both her and I love nursing.  Today was the first full day, out of 8 total, that I will not be able to nurse her.  She was so sad, and even through a few tantrums.  She started hitting me and screaming.  She is a loud baby normally, but she has always been so mild tempered and I had never seen her act like this before.  When she woke up to eat at 3:30am, what normally takes us 10 mins took almost 45 with both of us in tears.  Prior to yesterday she had not been on formula, she is taking it ok, but she is just so sad.  I am trying to decide if I should just wean her since I wont be able to nurse for 8 days.  Or if I can go back to breastfeeding at the end of all this and she will be ok.  I don't want to put more stress on her than necessary.  Please advise.  Thank you in advance!

Answer
Hello :) I would first suggest going to safefetus.com and looking up the medications you are taking to confirm you cannot nurse while on them. You also have the option of asking for a medication that might be able to be substituted so that you can nurse while taking them.

Reguardless of those choices, to answer your question, in my opinion, try going back to nursing. the long term effects on you and the baby are so substantial. There are so many things long term for her immune system and yours that will help, plus it sounds like neither of you is ready to let it go, which tells me, that to completely wean would not be in either one of your best interest. Continue pumping to keep your milk up and just keep loving her through it. She doesn't understand what she is taking as a rejection. Stopping cold turkey is very hard on little babies. But keep telling her that 3 more days, then she can nurse. She may not understand the words yet but she will understand that you follow through with your intentions.

I hope that helped! Hard few days but you can do it :) The bliss of breastfeeding again will be worth it. :)

With Much Appreciation,

Ruth Kraft CD CLD HBCP FOCEP CCCE
Mother of Emma & Jacob
Doula Trainer & Mother Mentor
www.honoringwomen.com

ruth kraft

Expertise

Almost anything that is Birth, pregnancy, new mother or breastfeeding information. If you want to join my newsletter with monthly tips please email me at Ruth@honoringwomen.com you can visit my website at www.honoringwomen.com

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I am a doula ( profession childbirth and postpartum support ) childbirth educator and hypnobirthing instructor.

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Certified through DONA international, CAPPA, HypnoBirthing and Florida outreach childbirth education program

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Certified through DONA international, CAPPA, HypnoBirthing and Florida outreach childbirth education program

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