I posted a question last week and received some response.... thank you for those who responded. I am now writing to try to get personal stories from people who HAVE breastfed their baby while infected with Lyme. I am chronic (ten years now) and have been treated (and continue to be throughout the pregnancy) and want very badly to breastfeed, however I don't want to infect my son, of course! I have many opinions from Doctors and literature I read, and they all contradict each other. I am trying to make the most informed decision I can. I will be speaking with Dr. Jones from CT later this week and will get his opinion as well. I am now looking for any advice or stories you have - thanks for your help!! Always appreciated....
Posted by Linda LD (Member # 6663) on :
My son had bell's palsey at 6-week baby exam. i asked my ped. duck why his lip dropped and he told me he was sorry my child was not symetrical enough for me.
I now know it was bell's palsey and Dr. J confirmed.
Other baby, who was failure to thrive, also has LD.
I gave my babies Ld. I live with it every day.
I didn't know I had lyme. You know, you have a choice. Choose wisely.
Linda
Posted by skrwolf (Member # 1575) on :
Crabby,
I don't want to stir up anything, so please email me. I have experience with your situation...
I fed my 18 mos old for about 12mos before I knew I had Lyme. She just tested positive on the Lyme Urine PCR from MDL.
This tests looks for the actual bacteria, so it means she has it.
Dr. J believes it can be transmitted through breastmilk.
I don't know if I'll ever know for sure if she got it from me or if she was bit at some point.
I could do the WB on her and see if she has the same antibodies as I did, but I don't know that I want to put her through that just to see.
As far as symptoms, she is too young to tell me. She was treated for GERD and was a cranky baby, but how do I know if that is just her dispositon?
She is on amoxy now.
I guess if I were you, I wouldn't take the chance.
Posted by DeniseS (Member # 7276) on :
Hi Crabby,
I was pregnant with and breastfed my son for over a year while I "had MS." Found out that I had LD after my health crashed after delivery. My son tested positive for LD on a Western Blot and the reverse Western Blot confirmed it.
I'm 99% sure he has never had a tick bite. He must have gotten it in utero or from my breast milk.
Sure wish I'd saved the placenta in the freezer a bit longer or the breast milk so we'd know which had Bb.
I'm wondering if scalding breastmilk would kill the Bb. At least then the baby would get some of the benefits of breastmilk.
Good luck!
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
You are not supposed to breastfeed if you have Lyme disease. Most Lyme Mommies must bottle feed right from the start, its not worth the risk of infecting your baby. Did you treat your Lyme while you were pregnant??? Maybe you did not know better, and so dont blame yourself. However, you should have been treated during your pregnancy, and had yoru babies cord blood, placenta and urine tested at birth to check for Lyme. You still can check the baby's blood and urine. please stop breastfeeding! Not a good idea!!
Posted by Crabby (Member # 6804) on :
Hi there - thanks for the responses. I have actually had a consult with Dr.C.R.Jones and he told me it would be fine to breastfeed, but not until the actual milk came in (not ok when it is just colostrum). I have not heard this before, however, from what I am told, he is the guy to trust! I will have the placenta, cord/blood, foreskin and my colostrum and brestmilk all tested. I have been treated (and am currently) with Amox while pregnant (2000 mg a day!) and hope that will help him while in utero. Anyone have links to articles or studies about colostrum vs. breastmilk, etc...? as we know, there are just not enough studies being done, but Iwould like to read whatever is out there! thanks again!
Crabby
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Og good, I am really glad you talked to him. Sorry, I thought you already had yoru baby, I read too quickly! I am so glad you have been treated through out your pregancy! Good job! And congratulations!
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