Fexofenadine can be used as an antihistamine during lactation if other antihistamines e.g., cetirizine and loratadine are not effective although studies are limited

Fexofenadine is being asked about frequently this year when symptoms of hayfever seem worse than usual. It can be bought over the counter (but the leaflet will say don’t take if breastfeeding and the pharmacist may suggest that it isn’t compatible with breastfeeding). I hope this information sheet helps you decide what is right for you and your baby.

wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk

Factsheet Fexofenadine and Breastfeeding

https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/fexofenadine.pdf

Acne affects 95% around 95% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 years to some extent. It usually disappears in the mid-20s but 3% of people still have symptoms beyond 35 years. It most commonly develops on the face but 50% of sufferers have lesions on their backs and 15% on their chest as well.

This is a chapter from Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions still available on Amazon as a paperback or download.

For factsheet on acne see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/acne-vulgaris.doc.pdf

So many people now seem to have regular migraines which are debilitating and make life with babies and children a nightmare.

Preventive treatment may be appropriate if the mother suffers at least two attacks a month, an increasing frequency of headaches, suffers significant disability despite suitable treatment for migraine attacks or cannot take suitable treatment for migraine attacks.

• Beta-blockers e.g., propranolol are effective.
• Tricyclic antidepressants e.g., amitriptyline 
• Topiramate
• Pizotifen
• Botox
• Riboflavin

all of which are safe in breastfeeding. More information in the factsheet on other supplements including magnesium, zinc and co enzyme Q10

Migraine prophylaxis (prevention) and breastfeeding factsheet

References are available by emailing me wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk or can be found in Breastfeeding and Medication

Having a PET scan is scary because it is often associated with a possible diagnosis of cancer, something which as mothers we probably fear most. It is important to take one day at a time and not leap ahead – not the easiest thing to do I know. If possible, store some milk in advance to feed your baby whilst you are seperated. This factsheet contains data on the process of having a scan, preparation and breastfeeding all taken from expert sites which I hope helps.

If the diagnosis does turn out to be cancer then the wonderful organisation Mummy’s Star offer amazing support and deserve more recognition https://www.facebook.com/MummysStar

If you need chemotherapy, I can provide information on how long the drug stays in your system. Some mothers have expressed a desire to pump and dump their milk to maintain a supply until they can feed again. Others plan to relactate at the end of treatment. I will do my best to support your decision.

But for today let’s concentrate on the PET scan and continuing to feed your nursling.

PET Scans and Breastfeeding Factsheet

PCOS affects 1 in 10 women and causes problems with infertility and breastfeeding. This factsheet is based on a chapter from Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions (available on Amazon) but extended to include information on myo-inositol which generates many questions.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Breastfeeding Factsheet

Any questions please feel free to email me wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication. co.uk

Apple cider vinegar seems the “in” thing for weight loss at the moment, sipped in water and sometimes sweetened with honey. As the pandemic loosens it’s hold it seems that more breastfeeding mothers than usual are looking for an answer to weight loss.

There is no research data on whether it is safe in breastfeeding. It certainly isn’t something I would advocate: not least because there is no evidence, that I found, that it’s effective for weight loss although culinary use is unlikely to be an issue. Back to less in, more out – healthy eating and exercise – sigh!

I would NOT advocate this for any breastfeeding mother – or anyone else for that matter

I found this link interesting

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/apple-cider-vinegar-diet-does-it-really-work-2018042513703?fbclid=IwAR037-joCZ_XbvfuIv48c3cGekHN6e35U1kP618RLh5tnJ5A-42Q_A5ZL

from Robert H Shmerling MD Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing. His words not mine:

What is the apple cider vinegar diet?

Apple cider vinegar comes from apples that have been crushed, distilled, and then fermented. It can be consumed in small quantities or taken as a supplement. Its high levels of acetic acid, or perhaps other compounds, may be responsible for its supposed health benefits. Although recommendations for “dosing” vary, most are on the order of 1 to 2 teaspoons before or with meals.

What can the apple cider vinegar diet do for you?

For thousands of years, compounds containing vinegar have been used for their  presumed healing properties. It was used to improve strength, for “detoxification,” as an antibiotic, and even as a treatment for scurvy. While no one is using apple cider vinegar as an antibiotic anymore (at least, no one should be), it has been touted more recently for weight loss.  What’s the evidence?

Studies in obese rats and mice suggest that acetic acid can prevent fat deposition and improve their metabolism. The most widely quoted study of humans is a 2009 trial of 175 people who consumed a drink containing 0, 1, or 2 tablespoons of vinegar each day. After three months, those who consumed vinegar had modest weight loss (2 to 4 pounds) and lower triglyceride levels than those who drank no vinegar. Another small study found that vinegar consumption promoted feeling fuller after eating, but that it did so by causing nausea. Neither of these studies (and none I could find in a medical literature search) specifically studied apple cider vinegar.  A more recent study  randomly assigned 39 study subjects to follow a restricted calorie diet with apple cider vinegar or a restricted calorie diet without apple cider vinegar for 12 weeks.  While both groups lost weight, the apple cider vinegar group lost more.  As with many prior studies, this one was quite small and short-term.

In all, the scientific evidence that vinegar consumption (whether of the apple cider variety or not) is a reliable, long-term means of losing excess weight is not compelling. (On the other hand, a number of studies suggest that vinegar might prevent spikes in blood sugar in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by blocking starch absorption — perhaps that’s a topic for another day.)

Is there a downside to the apple cider vinegar diet?

For many natural remedies, there seems to be little risk, so a common approach is “why not try it?” However, for diets with high vinegar content, a few warnings are in order:

• Vinegar should be diluted. Its high acidity can damage tooth enamel when sipped “straight” — consuming it as a component of vinaigrette salad dressing is a better way.
• It has been reported to cause or worsen low potassium levels. That’s particularly important for people taking medications that can lower potassium (such as common diuretics taken to treat high blood pressure).
• Vinegar can alter insulin levels. People with diabetes should be particularly cautious about a high vinegar diet.

So what?

If you are trying to lose weight, adding apple cider vinegar to your diet probably won’t do the trick. Of course, you’d never suspect that was the case by the way it’s been trending on Google health searches. But the popularity of diets frequently has little to do with actual evidence. If you read about a new diet (or other remedy) that sounds too good to be true, a healthy dose of skepticism is usually in order.“