posted
I posted a few days ago about the possibility of having Lyme Disease that I contracted as a child and am having problems with 22 years later. I'm not convinced I actually have Lyme Disease, but it's something I'm definetely looking into.
I have a toddler that I'm breastfeeding and I was informed here that I could give LD to my son this way. I am working with Le Leche League, my doctor and my pediatrician in coming up with the best answer. All information indicates that I cannot be transferred via breastmilk.
I know that many on here have experience with this and many of you know of situations where it has happened. The problem is, I'm not comfortable using anedotal evidence to wean my son. It would be extremely traumatic for him and I can't justify doing it unless I know he's at risk.
I'm continuing to research this and personally, I just don't see how it's possible. I know they've found the LD bacteria in the breastmilk, but how could it go from the stomach into the blood stream? If someone could give me an explanation of how this could be possible, I would have something more to talk over with my doctors and it would assist in making the right decision.
I don't have a strong knowledge of biology, but I can't see the bacteria surviving the strong antibodies of the breastmilk, surviving stomach acid, and then somehow making its way into the blood stream, which would be necessary to infect someone.
I want to make it clear that I'm not doubting anyone, I'm just trying to make sure I have all the information before making this decision.
Posts: 11 | From MO | Registered: Jul 2006
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I can't be lot of help here... as I had kids before I was ever diagnosed. However, one of my best friends also has Lyme and her LLMD told her DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES breastfeed. My friend followed the advice and her son just tested free and clear or Lyme and other co-infections.
It's a personal choice, but if you want my two-cents -- I do not think it's worth even the slightest risk. If knew that I could pass on this evil, cruel illness to my babies, I would never risk it.
Hopefully someone else here can come up with more specific answers regarding the biology, etc.
Posts: 220 | From central TX | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
It would be ridiculous to wean at the chance that you MIGHT have lyme.
If you find out that it is lyme. Then discuss it with the Pediatric lyme specialist that is treating your son.
This is a toddler, not a newborn. And if you have passed the bacteria to the nursling it isn't going to make a difference whether you wean today or next month.
Lyme x 9
Posts: 399 | From Texas | Registered: Apr 2005
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SForsgren
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7686
posted
Lyme can absolutely be transmitted via breast milk. If you have Lyme, the chances are it may already be transmitted. I would get tested for it soon and then make your decisions on how to proceed.
-------------------- Be well, Scott Posts: 4617 | From San Jose, CA | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I have had lyme for a while during which some time I was pregnant with my son. I breastfed him for a few weeks. I had some issues in his toddler years with irritability, insomnia, rashes, personality issues, tiredness, enlarged lymph nodes a lot, etc. The some nuero issues came and audio issues. As soon as I found out I had Lyme years later my first thought was could I have passed it on to my child.
Well, I have taken my kids (all three of them have it) to one of the best known pediatric doctors for lyme in the world. While my older son was bit twice and probably contracted it that way we never remembered my younger son being bit. He tested positive and is being treated. It is making a world of difference with his symptoms. The doctor does believe he probably has the gestational type of lyme of it perhaps got it transferred through breasdtmilk.
While I don't want you to alarm your child and change his feeding patterns- I really want you to understand that there are two sides on the fence to this issue. One side (the side who hasn't studied the disease or any of the children with it) emphatically insist that there is no way it can be transferred. How do they truly know?
While on the other side of the fence we have doctors who are now dedicating their whole entire practice to the disease and treating individuals. They are studying the disease and keeping records of pregnant women with lyme and babies. Hence this is where the published reports are coming from that it can be found in breastmilk.
I urge you to get a good lyme knowledgeable doctor, get some Igenex testing sone on yourself and then weigh what might be best for your baby. If I had it to do over I would have never breastfed my children knowing I had the disease. The risk is just too high.
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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