I would not breastfeed unless I was on antibiotics. Even then, some mothers choose not to.
Some Lyme specialists (LLMD's is the abbreviation we use here) say it's okay to breastfeed as long as you are on antibiotics, others say it is not okay even when on antibiotics.
The doctors I have seen told me they thought as long as the mother is on antibiotics, that the benefits outweigh the risks. There are some that disagree, like I said.
I would be sure to get on an antibtioic like Amoxicillin and possibly Zithromax too ASAP. Those are both baby-safe. You could also replace Amoxicillin with Ceftin or Omnicef, and still include the Zithromax if you wanted.
I am doing that by memory, so check with your doctor to be sure I didn't make a mistake and that those are okay.
I hope someone else who has actually breastfed while on antibiotics will come along.
If you have already breastfed your child, please watch for symptoms, and if your child shows symptoms, treat right away, before the infection becomes chronic or more difficult to treat.
It's most important that you treat children while they are young, preferably before age 4 or 5.
This special edition of a Lyme magazine tells about Lyme in children and what symptoms to look for, so it might be good if you purchase it so you will be able to recognize the warning signs:
(can't get the link to work now. I will come back later with it.)
Posts: 89 | From U.S. | Registered: Apr 2010
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021
posted
Dr K states that no woman should breastfeed without treating her lyme disease at the same time and that the breast milk can also be cleaned up with high doses of chlorella but antimicrobials also need to be on board to stop the transfer of spirochetes to the baby
-------------------- Fall down seven times, get up eight ~Japanese proverb Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008
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littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I, peronally wouldn't risk it. I'm probably going to get my girls tested even though they don't have symptoms.
posted
I am currently breastfeeding my son 3 times a day and am on 3 weeks of Ceftin for a recent Acute Lyme diagnosis. Knowing what I know now I think I've had it for much longer and will be going to an ID doctor next week. My GP assured me that there is no risk of my son getting Lyme from breastfeeding because the spirochetes are killed by his stomach acid. I hope this is true because abruptly weaning him would be detrimental to our quality of life. I tried cutting out the naptime nursing for a week and our afternoons were very stressful. I'm not sure if I'll ever know if my son develops Lyme disease if it was from the 2 deer ticks he had on him last week or from breastfeeding. He's not showing any clear symptoms yet, but last night he woke up twice crying which is very unusual. I'm wondering when I should have him tested if this persists.
Posts: 3 | From Willimantic, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
branchlit, How old is your son?
Mother's milk will provide the nutrients his immune system needs. It also helps significantly with brain development.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
My LLMD said that breast milk should never be withheld from a baby. I think I gave my daughter lyme, I have had lyme for 20 years, so I had it when I was pregnant and when I breastfed.
Just see a competent LLMD and stay on antiboitics as prescribed. Eat the best you can, exercise as much as you can, just do all the things possible to keep your immune system strong.
I am sorry I disagree with other posters, but breastfeeding is so much better for the immune system than bottlefeeding. There is so much evidence to support this...and if you and the baby have Lyme Disease, you may give him/her much needed antiboities.
Good luck.
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I stopped nursing, My son is almost two and it took only a couple days for him to get used to not having it. I am still afraid he will get it but he doesnt seem to have any symptoms. I was just dx last month and well the internet is a scary box of info. Not knowing very much about Lyme I made this choice. If it would be heartbreaking for you or you child and you are in the care of a qualified dr then you should do whats right for you. If my son would of been younger I would have contiuned to nurse while being very careful My dr while not LLMD, said that since he was already exposed (I nursed when I first got symptoms until the day I was treated about 5 days) she said it was really my choice I didnt feel comfortable with maybe giving him Lyme
Posts: 6 | From Bamberg Germany | Registered: Jul 2010
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I believe, though not have diagnosed, I've had Lyme's since 2008 --- while pregnant and I breastfed him.
I told my doctors about the tick bite and the red rash and a few months later I began getting sick. They blew that information off, tested me for other things (which all came back fine) and sent me on my merry way.
Now, 2 years later, I'm sicker than I've ever been and I've had almost every test under the sun (except lymes) and I still don't have a diagnosis.
Now I'm worried about my baby's health but good God if I can't even get help, how in the world will I find someone to test my baby?
So far the only doctor I've found to treat Lymes as an expert makes you pay out of pocket... and I can't even fathom how we'll afford that.
:--(
Janelle
Posts: 256 | From Texas | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Carol, My son is 2 years and 3 months old. I saw the ID doc today and now I'm on 4 weeks of amoxicillin. branchlit
Posts: 3 | From Willimantic, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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posted
Branchlit, IMO, Congenital Lyme presents differently than acute lyme.
Sometimes congenital lyme is really hard to see or suspect, even if it is there. A few sensory issues here, some processing issues there, some vision or dyslexia issues. . . things that are often overlooked.
I would see an ILADS.org trained doctor, or someone who is well versed in a clinical dx.
I nursed my kids for 3 and 2 years, respectively and both have them had undiagnosed congenital lyme.
Because I didn't know I had lyme, we will never know if the lyme passed in the breastmilk. I donated milk to a friend (with a history of congenital lupus) and my LLMD always tells me that it might just have acted as a homeopathic. I worry about that.
Breastmilk is good, no doubt. . .but we treat it like it is always the best option. If your child is over a year, I personally would stop. Wish I would have had the chance.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
For those citing statistics about the utter superiority of breastmilk, you really should read the science. There are some benefits to breastmilk, including lessened GI disturbances and a reduction in ear infections in infancy due to improper bottle propping. As far as the IQ studies, they are likely flawed as there is no way to control for confounding factors. Go into a Kindergarten classroom and pinpoint the breastfed/formula fed children, and then maybe we can talk.
I would much rather formula feed than pass through meds and the toxins from lyme.
Breastmilk is not always the best option for every baby.
-------------------- Lyme, Bart, possible Babs Currently on IV Doxy, Bactrim, Zithromax, Nystatin, Mepron Been on nearly every antibiotic since 10/09
posted
I figured I would add to this discussion by sharing my own story too...
I have had lyme disease (not "Lymes") since I was 12. I am now 38. Just diagnosed Dec.2008.
I have 4 children, breastfed all of them for a year. They all have congenital lyme. Maybe they would have had it anyway just from the placenta or delivery or whatever but I doubt it helped that I breastfed.
It's a tough decision. However, if I had known then that I had lyme, and if I had been in the care of a GOOD lyme literate doc, I ONLY would have breastfed if he/she was certain that it was safe, and if I was on antibiotics.
posted
I have say I have endured a lot going through having Lyme and then realizing my husband, my three kids, my mother and brother and various friends have it. I have struggled with pain , brain fog and tiredness through the years- I would hate to see anyone get this dreaded disease.
All three of my kids have it. My youngest is adopted and got bit on a trip to Cape Cod. My eldest son had bites but my middle son never had a tick on him as far as I know. His famous pediatric Lyme doc does believe he may have contracted it from may during pregnancy or breast feeding since many of his symptoms started really coming out when he was 3 or 4. There were weird things when he was an infant but then his behavior was just wild as he grew. He couldn't focus, cried, had eczyma, gastro issues, mood swings etc.
Today thorugh 5 years of treatment for Lyme, BArt, Babesia and Mycoplasma (all the things I had/have) he is doing better and gets straight A's in school , is a top athlete and is like a different person so to speak. If I could have prevented this of course I would have. Looking back I am not 100% sure how he got the diseases but I just know if I had it to do over again I would NEVER breast feed my child with the possible risk of transferring these diseases to him.
The spirochete is very hard to kill as we all know and can wreck havoc on one's immune system. I truly beleive there are many women out there like I was in my early 30's (10 years ago) who have Lyme and don't realize it. They are in their child bearing years and are having kids. The kids are growing up and some have horrible allergies, aren't focused, have learning disabilities and some may even be labeled on the autistic SPECTRUM.
I have known many cases and have seen them at my docs office. They get treated for Lyme and coinfections and are like different kids. I don't know when the medical society is going to wake up and see how this disease is changing are children. I hope that MANY parents out there have the courage to talk about this disease, get answers, pursue diagonoses and get to the truth. We only want the best for our kids.
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Oh another comment since I read BHeathy's comment. She is right. AS far as IQ I truly there is no difference in kids. I breast fed for 6 weeks and then bottle fed. My son's baseline IQ was tested at the diagnosis of Lyme at 5 years of age and then during treatment aain. It went up 20 points which is unheard of unless there was infection in the brain. I told my story at the above post and with treatment he was even accepted into our gifted program at school. He was not breast fed long term but once again I do question the time I did breast feed him and transferring more of the infection to him during that time.
When a spirochete is involved take every precaution available. My famous Lyme doc has told our family the spirochete has been found in semen, patient's breastmilk, and brain tissue of Alheimers patients.
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
My view on this breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, is that there shouldn't be an arguement. There are already so many transfers between mother and child anyway, that I feel that if the child will have lyme disease, then the child will have lyme disease.
I think breastfeeding can give the child additional immunities that can give the child a better chance to fight lyme disease. And, I will say, I have 2 children. Both during the time I have had lyme disease. The first one NOT breastfed, and the second one breastfed. The second one doesn't have colic, as much depression, or as much trouble in school.
It maybe just me, but I don't think any powder or concoction can come close to providing a baby with what God intended the child to recieve from its mother. To me it is like keeping our diet as natural/clean as possible. Which is what our lyme diet is. Keeping out processed foods and sugar. So, why start a child off with something that is not natural and impure, something that is processed?
To me, the only arguement is WHY ISN'T THIS DISEASE BEING TREATED??!!
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I am newer hear...when I met with my 2nd LLMD Dr. P, it tore me apart to hear that breastfeeding can transfer the spirochetes to the baby. Before diag, I was trying to get pg - my dream to be a mother. When Dr. P (a man) said this in such a scientific way, at first I dismissed it while inside I knew he was right. No matter how small the chance, I knew in my heart that if and when I am lucky enough to have child, I will not breastfeed. Here in Seattle, there are breastmilk banks... can you check into this where you live? Contact your local midwives... ask the community for help so that your baby can continue to have the benefits of breastmilk without the possible risks from your own. I feel that breastfeeding is essential to both mother and baby for solid bonding...that's why it is absolutely devastating to think that I won't be able to. But, many babies are adopted and not breastfed and in the end.. are happy, well adjusted individuals. It is a huge loss for everyone involved...but it would be far greater to live with the reality that I had transferred this horrific infection to my child which could cripple him... sending much love your way
-------------------- PHOENIX: mythical bird that rises from the ashes July '09 got sick very quickly could barely get out of bed - ND diag lymes.. and the journey began bite: unkown - no rash Posts: 248 | From private | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
p.s. I have a friend who is a midwife... amazing woman... and couldn't breastfeed her baby. This amazing earth woman could not breastfeed.. forgot the reason.. she got enough donated breastmilk and was able to use only breastmilk for her baby.. no formula.. and her baby is completely happy and healthy..
-------------------- PHOENIX: mythical bird that rises from the ashes July '09 got sick very quickly could barely get out of bed - ND diag lymes.. and the journey began bite: unkown - no rash Posts: 248 | From private | Registered: Jul 2010
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Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Need Lots of Help: [QB] My view on this breastfeeding vs. bottlefeeding, is that there shouldn't be an arguement. There are already so many transfers between mother and child anyway, that I feel that if the child will have lyme disease, then the child will have lyme disease.
Dr K would strongly disagree with this. At a recent LIA conference he stated the transfer of lyme to the baby is FOUR times greater through breastfeeding than through the placenta.
-------------------- Fall down seven times, get up eight ~Japanese proverb Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Branchlit,
You said: " . . . My GP assured me that there is no risk of my son getting Lyme from breastfeeding because the spirochetes are killed by his stomach acid."
This is false. Please consult a LLMD. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Lauralyme. . .WOW. Wow. Wow. I nursed baby one for 3 years, baby two for over 2 years.
Oh, and having been a "healthy" woman who donated milk to a mom who needed it. . . I would NOT use a breastmilk bank.
Why add more issues to the mix? There are so many undiagnosed mamas out there. I would HOPE that they screen for post partum anxiety. I have never met a mom with that (or post partum OCD or psychosis) that I didn't suspect had lyme.
Posts: 564 | From Tick Hell | Registered: Oct 2008
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