I am 7 months pregnant and have been on antibiotics my entire pregnancy for late, chronic Lyme to be safe. I have no symptoms. Can anyone tell me if it is safe to breastfeed? I have heard so many conflicting opinions from the MD's themselves I am about to go batty! I know if I am antiobiotics I need to be sure they are safe for the baby, etc. Someone suggested I wait and get the breastmilk tested, that can take over 4 weeks. By then, the colostrum is gone and my kid will be a bottle junkie. Help.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I would talk to your LLMD about it.
I didn't know I had Lyme and breastfed all my children for an extended time and none of them got Lyme from me congenitally or from breastfeeding .... but that's just an anecdotal story from one person.
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Thanks...it seems antedotal stories are all I have. Believe it or not, all LLMD's I have spoken to have different opinions on the matter, no one consensus.
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
I had undiagnosed Lyme during both my pregnancies and breastfed both of my kids for almost 2 years each.
They are fine and healthy- ages 11 and 13.
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
Colostrum may even confer immunity, who knows?
My personal theory, which I did read somewhere, is that if the infection is not recent, and the Lyme bacteria are sequestered somewhere rather than circulating in the blood stream, then breastfeeding would be safe.
Others may disagree, but I think it is safer when Lyme is chronic than when it is acute, and antibiotics would probably also keep the potential for spreading it, down.
This is all just my own feeling, not from scientific studies or MD's. I gave up trying to find a definitive answer, but am glad I breastfed all 3 of mine for quite awhile.
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Me too! I didn't know I had lyme when I was pregnant and breastfed both of my kids. They are both very healthy and without lyme. They are 20 and 24. Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Thanks to all for all your help...feeling better already. Finally spoke to a LLMD who specializes in pediatrics and he says as long as I am on antibiotics, it is safe. Now let's just hope the cord blood and placenta biopsy come back clean! You can go crazy worrying about this stuff and I'm not even a mom yet!!!
Posted by julielynne4 (Member # 20336) on :
My story is a little different - I have 4 children, all of whom were breastfed. They all have congenital lyme and coinfections.
However, I do not know if it was from the pregnancy, breastfeeding, or both...and despite the fact that they all have this, I am still glad I breastfed. I don't know why, but I feel like it's more likely that they contracted it through the placenta and not the breastmilk. It sounds like you are safe since your LLMD has you on antibiotics.
Just from the responses here, and your LLMD's advice, I think you should go for it. By the way, a friend of mine who was undiagnosed with lyme during her pregnancy did NOT breastfeed, and her son also has congenital lyme.
It probably depends on so many different factors and is likely different for everyone. I think you are in a good situation since you are in treatment. Praying for you and your baby as you make these decisions! Julie
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Julielynne4, prayers to you as well. I hope your kids get and stay healthy. Thanks.
Posted by catskillmamala (Member # 12536) on :
I was breastfeeding when diagnosed and put on amoxicillan and continued to breastfeed. I may have been pregnant when infected. He weaned when I went to stronger abx.
My son is fine. He has been evaluated by an llmd, and had his tonsil tissue and blood tested for lyme and coinfections- all negative. Showing no symptoms.
Does he have lyme and co's? Maybe. Does he need treatment now? No. Will he ever? Maybe. Was breastfeeding good for him. I believe so. I watch him like a hawk.
Best of luck to you and your little one.
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Catskillmamala - Amox is what I am on now and will stay on when nursing. Did you go to someone in NY for your son? I only know of one MD who will test placenta, cord, etc. When did you test him? Thanks.
Posted by catskillmamala (Member # 12536) on :
PM sent
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Thanks for all the feedback...
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
I didn't read everyone's posts, but to me this is a very important topic. I truly encourage those who can to breastfeed. My LLMD said there was NO reason to withhold breastmilk from a baby.
Now, I don't have a bunch of studies or research about mom's with lyme and breastfeeding, but I think breastfeeding is important enough to do. There has been research that shows that a baby can get lyme from the mother. So, not breastfeeding would not be an option to me.
But, I just believe this is how nature intended it to be and your milk has antiboties to help the baby. Shalome
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
The LLMD who I had a consult with is a pediatric Lyme specialist and he states that as long as I am on antibiotics, it is safe and there isn't even a need to get the breastmilk tested for Lyme (which I guess they can do). So, I'll try and hope for the best. I also believe breastmilk is best, however, if there is even a 1% chance that I will pass Lyme on my to my child, count me out. As I said above, it sounds safe though.
Posted by Hoosiers51 (Member # 15759) on :
Lymemomtb,
Is this Dr. J you are speaking of, that says it's okay as long as you're on abx? I'm assuming it is.
Did the doctor tell you any antibiotics specifically he recommends during breastfeeding, or is it just whatever you happen to be on already, as long as it penetrates breastmilk and is baby-safe (which of course it would be baby-safe since you're pregnant)?
I feel the same as you, that if there was a chance it would pass Lyme, I would probably not chance it.
However, it sounds like it's probably okay.
My previous LLMD, who is a highly regarded one (though not a pediatrician) told me it was fine as long as I was on antibiotics while breastfeeding.
I'm not sure what my current LLMD's stance on the issue is. My guess is that he would agree with what the previous one said.
Anyways, thank you for bringing the topic up!
Posted by lymemomtb (Member # 23993) on :
Sorry I didn't get back to this topic....work, life, 24 on tv....Yes, Dr. J says go for it and another top Lyme MD basically said if my kid is "lucky enough to come out not having Lyme, why on earth would you breastfeed?" So, I am more confused and frustrated. Am I putting my baby through an uncessary risk? ABX I am on Amox and Zithro. HELP
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Julie