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Breastfeeding after CT and MRI scans
Virtually every day I get messages from mothers and health visitors querying whether mothers can continue to breastfeed after CT and MRI scans. I was told that the national guidelines had been updated some years ago to align with RANZR guidelines . Sadly this doesnt seem to have been adopted by all radiology departments from my experience.
I was lucky enough to work with Dr Gabrielle Cronin on this paper which was published recently in the Irish BMK https://rb.gy/opvtzx
Most mothers are advised to stop breastfeeding for 24 hours but there is no evidence for this as most contrast media are not orally bio available and have half lives which do not justify this duration.
More information
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/ct/ https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/mri/
ADHD and Breastfeeding
I have shared the chapter on ADHD from my book Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions multiple times this week. Many mothers seem to be diagnosed in later life and are concerned about breastfeeding. Hope this is a useful link.
More information Breastfeeding and ADHD factsheet
If this is useful maybe you need the book available on Amazon. I published on Kindle to try to make this more affordable and available to mothers and breastfeeding supporters as well as professionals
Fibromyalgia and Breastfeeding
Fibromyalgia is incredibly difficult to deal with when you have a baby. The most effective intervention is CBT. Please read this factsheet which is a chapter from my book Breastfeeding and chronic medical conditions available on amazon.
Breastfeeding and Fibromyalgis factsheet
Mirtazapine and Breastfeeding
With the developing COVID situation more mothers are struggling to sleep and being prescribed mirtazapine for anxiety and depression associated with poor sleep. This is the information I used in Breastfeeding and Medication.
For more information Mirtazapine and Breastfeeding Factsheet
or maybe buy the book
ADHD and Breastfeeding
Currently there seem to be many questions about treatment of ADHD and breastfeeding. I’m sharing the chapter from my book Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions which I hope helps
For more information :
Breastfeeding and ADHD factsheet
and maybe you would like to but the book available on Amazon
Depression and breastfeeding
The rise in the statistics on COVID seems to be exacerbating symptoms of depression for many, many people. I can totally identify with that because I am immunocompromised myself due to medication and have very much gone back into Shield mode.
Many of the queries I have had in the last week relate to mothers who need to begin, increase or change their antidepressant medication but are being advised to stop breastfeeding to do so. There is evidence that stopping breastfeeding in itself lowers mood – you have a baby who wants to be breastfed and is fighting the change, you loose oxytocin, you become engorged – it isnt as easy as “stop now” might sound.
This is the chapter on depression from my new book Breastfeeding and chronic medical conditions. I hope the chapter helps in itself but maybe you would like to buy it and learn more about how drugs get into milk.
I will of course answer any queries you have wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk
More information: depression and breastfeeding factsheet
Breastfeeding and Chronic medical conditions
I’m very proud to announce the arrival of book 5 “Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions”. It is an accumulation of the knowledge which I have gained over the past 25 years in supporting breastfeeding mothers and answering their questions.
It has been my “brain dump” so that hopefully I can move forward gradually to spending more time with my family than answering questions. The latter has rather taken over my life now. COVID has made me think about my priorities but lockdown gave me the opportunity to write this whilst I was shielding,
I hope that it helps mothers and professionals make risk benefit decisions on how to help mums with chronic conditions manage their lives and breastfeeding.
My book is available in paperback or kindle format on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breastfeeding-Chronic-Medical-Conditions-Wendy-ebook/dp/B08HWZRVVT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=breastfeeding+and+chronic+medical&qid=1600085418&sr=8-1
Bi polar disorder and breastfeeding
This is one section of the new book that I am currently working on and should hopefully be available in kindle format shortly
bipolar disorder and breastfeeding fact sheet
Colonoscopy and Endoscopy in breastfeeding women
I am so very tired of breastfeeding mothers who need colonoscopies and endoscopies being told that they need to interrupt breastfeeding. I am currently trying to engage with the national body to update national guidelines. Interestingly it is the same old story – we dont see breastfeeding women needing these examinations. So how come I do?
This is the evidence that I have put together and am desperate to share with clinicians.
colonoscopy and endoscopy in lactating women factsheet
Breastfeeding and pain relief after a c section
This week I posted a link to a recently published paper which concluded that poor pain relief after a C section affected breastfeeding. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/following-cesarean-delivery-postoperative-pain-affects-likelihood-of-in-hospital-breastfeeding/
I was saddened that we even had to think that pain would not be managed well for any mother, let alone when she was trying to initiate breastfeeding. It isn’t always easy to life a baby from a cot side crib when you have had surgery, let alone try to position a baby to achieve the perfect latch.
What surprised and horrified me was the mother’s who replied that they hadnt been given good pain relief when in hospital. They mentioned:
- not being told that more than paracetamol was available
- being offered only paracetamol and ibuprofen even when they needed more
- being forgotten on medication rounds,
- being discharged without sufficient pain relief.
This just isnt good enough and I would hope that everyone to whom this applies contacts the ward directly or through PALS that pain management plans are essential.
Pain relief which should be given to a breastfeeding mum in my opinion:
- In theatre a non steroidal anti inflammatory eg diclofenac as a suppository
- On the ward there should be available oramorph (subject to extensive first pass metabolism so little in milk)
- Regular use of an NSAID – ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen (low levels in milk) plus paracetamol
- Codeine is no longer recommended but dihydrocodeine can be offered (https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/thoughts/dihydrocodeine-and-breastfeeding)
- Discharge packs should include the NSAID offered in hospital plus limited number of dihydrocodeine and if necessary oramorph. This may challenge the formulary in the hospital but can be overcome simply with care and thought for the patient.
NO WOMAN SHOULD BE LEFT IN PAIN BECAUSE SHE IS BREASTFEEDING