Breastfeeding and IV's - Anyone done it?

[MamatoAlexa]

First a quick update - life with two is crazy but perfect at the same time. Alexa is a great big sister and Hannah is a sweet little baby. We are all adjusting to each other and our new routines, one day at a time. All of us have our moments but nothing unexpected being that everything has changed so much for all of us.

I ask about IV's because I have not had an IV for CF related issues since I was 9 years old, yes 19 years ago. I have been on Tobi since April 1st. I am not sure if I have a funky cough going on because of the Tobi or because I need something more. I tend to have trouble with Tobi. I start taking it and feel better w/in a few days but about 2 weeks in I start coughing a lot more. Once I stop the Tobi the cough usually returns to normal. For about a week I have been having a coughing fit every morning around 4:00. Hannah finishes eating and I start coughing. So annoying. Normally I would up my exercise but right now I am 5 weeks post partum and when I try to push it exercising a bit more my reproductive system tells me to stop. BLAH! Normally I want to avoid IV's at all costs but now with two children I am feeling much more open to an IV because I cannot risk getting sick and not being here. If an IV will do the trick I will take it. I think my biggest fear is a PICC line as I have never had one, only regular IV's. Anyway, tell me about home IV's...are they hard to juggle time wise? What is the usual schedule, like how many meds and how many hours between? If you breastfed and did IV's how did that go? Would you prefer oral antibiotics or IV

I have a CF check up on Monday so we will see where I am. I do not feel awful, I could feel better and I certainly do not want to feel worse!

 

[MamatoAlexa]

First a quick update - life with two is crazy but perfect at the same time. Alexa is a great big sister and Hannah is a sweet little baby. We are all adjusting to each other and our new routines, one day at a time. All of us have our moments but nothing unexpected being that everything has changed so much for all of us.

I ask about IV's because I have not had an IV for CF related issues since I was 9 years old, yes 19 years ago. I have been on Tobi since April 1st. I am not sure if I have a funky cough going on because of the Tobi or because I need something more. I tend to have trouble with Tobi. I start taking it and feel better w/in a few days but about 2 weeks in I start coughing a lot more. Once I stop the Tobi the cough usually returns to normal. For about a week I have been having a coughing fit every morning around 4:00. Hannah finishes eating and I start coughing. So annoying. Normally I would up my exercise but right now I am 5 weeks post partum and when I try to push it exercising a bit more my reproductive system tells me to stop. BLAH! Normally I want to avoid IV's at all costs but now with two children I am feeling much more open to an IV because I cannot risk getting sick and not being here. If an IV will do the trick I will take it. I think my biggest fear is a PICC line as I have never had one, only regular IV's. Anyway, tell me about home IV's...are they hard to juggle time wise? What is the usual schedule, like how many meds and how many hours between? If you breastfed and did IV's how did that go? Would you prefer oral antibiotics or IV

I have a CF check up on Monday so we will see where I am. I do not feel awful, I could feel better and I certainly do not want to feel worse!

 

[MamatoAlexa]

First a quick update - life with two is crazy but perfect at the same time. Alexa is a great big sister and Hannah is a sweet little baby. We are all adjusting to each other and our new routines, one day at a time. All of us have our moments but nothing unexpected being that everything has changed so much for all of us.

I ask about IV's because I have not had an IV for CF related issues since I was 9 years old, yes 19 years ago. I have been on Tobi since April 1st. I am not sure if I have a funky cough going on because of the Tobi or because I need something more. I tend to have trouble with Tobi. I start taking it and feel better w/in a few days but about 2 weeks in I start coughing a lot more. Once I stop the Tobi the cough usually returns to normal. For about a week I have been having a coughing fit every morning around 4:00. Hannah finishes eating and I start coughing. So annoying. Normally I would up my exercise but right now I am 5 weeks post partum and when I try to push it exercising a bit more my reproductive system tells me to stop. BLAH! Normally I want to avoid IV's at all costs but now with two children I am feeling much more open to an IV because I cannot risk getting sick and not being here. If an IV will do the trick I will take it. I think my biggest fear is a PICC line as I have never had one, only regular IV's. Anyway, tell me about home IV's...are they hard to juggle time wise? What is the usual schedule, like how many meds and how many hours between? If you breastfed and did IV's how did that go? Would you prefer oral antibiotics or IV

I have a CF check up on Monday so we will see where I am. I do not feel awful, I could feel better and I certainly do not want to feel worse!

 

[MamatoAlexa]

First a quick update - life with two is crazy but perfect at the same time. Alexa is a great big sister and Hannah is a sweet little baby. We are all adjusting to each other and our new routines, one day at a time. All of us have our moments but nothing unexpected being that everything has changed so much for all of us.

I ask about IV's because I have not had an IV for CF related issues since I was 9 years old, yes 19 years ago. I have been on Tobi since April 1st. I am not sure if I have a funky cough going on because of the Tobi or because I need something more. I tend to have trouble with Tobi. I start taking it and feel better w/in a few days but about 2 weeks in I start coughing a lot more. Once I stop the Tobi the cough usually returns to normal. For about a week I have been having a coughing fit every morning around 4:00. Hannah finishes eating and I start coughing. So annoying. Normally I would up my exercise but right now I am 5 weeks post partum and when I try to push it exercising a bit more my reproductive system tells me to stop. BLAH! Normally I want to avoid IV's at all costs but now with two children I am feeling much more open to an IV because I cannot risk getting sick and not being here. If an IV will do the trick I will take it. I think my biggest fear is a PICC line as I have never had one, only regular IV's. Anyway, tell me about home IV's...are they hard to juggle time wise? What is the usual schedule, like how many meds and how many hours between? If you breastfed and did IV's how did that go? Would you prefer oral antibiotics or IV

I have a CF check up on Monday so we will see where I am. I do not feel awful, I could feel better and I certainly do not want to feel worse!

 

[MamatoAlexa]

First a quick update - life with two is crazy but perfect at the same time. Alexa is a great big sister and Hannah is a sweet little baby. We are all adjusting to each other and our new routines, one day at a time. All of us have our moments but nothing unexpected being that everything has changed so much for all of us.
<br />
<br />I ask about IV's because I have not had an IV for CF related issues since I was 9 years old, yes 19 years ago. I have been on Tobi since April 1st. I am not sure if I have a funky cough going on because of the Tobi or because I need something more. I tend to have trouble with Tobi. I start taking it and feel better w/in a few days but about 2 weeks in I start coughing a lot more. Once I stop the Tobi the cough usually returns to normal. For about a week I have been having a coughing fit every morning around 4:00. Hannah finishes eating and I start coughing. So annoying. Normally I would up my exercise but right now I am 5 weeks post partum and when I try to push it exercising a bit more my reproductive system tells me to stop. BLAH! Normally I want to avoid IV's at all costs but now with two children I am feeling much more open to an IV because I cannot risk getting sick and not being here. If an IV will do the trick I will take it. I think my biggest fear is a PICC line as I have never had one, only regular IV's. Anyway, tell me about home IV's...are they hard to juggle time wise? What is the usual schedule, like how many meds and how many hours between? If you breastfed and did IV's how did that go? Would you prefer oral antibiotics or IV
<br />
<br />I have a CF check up on Monday so we will see where I am. I do not feel awful, I could feel better and I certainly do not want to feel worse!

 

[LouLou]

Anne, I had a painless PICC in mid Feb. Isaac was 7 mo. old. I was and still am breastfeeding him. I pumped and stored in my room at the hospital for the 5 days I was there. My dh would take it home each day and change out the ice in my chest.

After reading Medication and Mother's Milk and lacmed.com (I think this is it lmk if it doesn't work) I felt very comfortable with continuing bf'ing. Even my husband with a phd in chemistry did the reading and agreed that the risks of quiting outweighed those of the drugs. Medicines don't go into breastmilk much at all and yes they have levels to prove it. My son did fine on breastmilk while I was on three of the most powerful antibiotics in the world. He didn't even get diaper rash. I took Vanco, Meropenum and Tobramycin. I didn't ask my cf doctor. It frankly was none of his business. They were aware that I was breastfeeding and I left out the book and lactmed paperwork for anyone curious to read. When I got sedativ & contrast for an embolization they (interventional radiology) was so keen on me keeping bfing htat they did their homework too to discover it was fine after the half life wore off. THat sort of freaked me out. Well I kept it until yesterday....long after the radioactiveness had worn off. Isaac didn't like the taste. He never refuses a bottle so down the drain it went. PM me if you want to chat about my IV experience. I went home for days 6-14. It was definitely a good idea in my situation and it turns out I needed it more than I thought I did.

 

[LouLou]

Anne, I had a painless PICC in mid Feb. Isaac was 7 mo. old. I was and still am breastfeeding him. I pumped and stored in my room at the hospital for the 5 days I was there. My dh would take it home each day and change out the ice in my chest.

After reading Medication and Mother's Milk and lacmed.com (I think this is it lmk if it doesn't work) I felt very comfortable with continuing bf'ing. Even my husband with a phd in chemistry did the reading and agreed that the risks of quiting outweighed those of the drugs. Medicines don't go into breastmilk much at all and yes they have levels to prove it. My son did fine on breastmilk while I was on three of the most powerful antibiotics in the world. He didn't even get diaper rash. I took Vanco, Meropenum and Tobramycin. I didn't ask my cf doctor. It frankly was none of his business. They were aware that I was breastfeeding and I left out the book and lactmed paperwork for anyone curious to read. When I got sedativ & contrast for an embolization they (interventional radiology) was so keen on me keeping bfing htat they did their homework too to discover it was fine after the half life wore off. THat sort of freaked me out. Well I kept it until yesterday....long after the radioactiveness had worn off. Isaac didn't like the taste. He never refuses a bottle so down the drain it went. PM me if you want to chat about my IV experience. I went home for days 6-14. It was definitely a good idea in my situation and it turns out I needed it more than I thought I did.

 

[LouLou]

Anne, I had a painless PICC in mid Feb. Isaac was 7 mo. old. I was and still am breastfeeding him. I pumped and stored in my room at the hospital for the 5 days I was there. My dh would take it home each day and change out the ice in my chest.

After reading Medication and Mother's Milk and lacmed.com (I think this is it lmk if it doesn't work) I felt very comfortable with continuing bf'ing. Even my husband with a phd in chemistry did the reading and agreed that the risks of quiting outweighed those of the drugs. Medicines don't go into breastmilk much at all and yes they have levels to prove it. My son did fine on breastmilk while I was on three of the most powerful antibiotics in the world. He didn't even get diaper rash. I took Vanco, Meropenum and Tobramycin. I didn't ask my cf doctor. It frankly was none of his business. They were aware that I was breastfeeding and I left out the book and lactmed paperwork for anyone curious to read. When I got sedativ & contrast for an embolization they (interventional radiology) was so keen on me keeping bfing htat they did their homework too to discover it was fine after the half life wore off. THat sort of freaked me out. Well I kept it until yesterday....long after the radioactiveness had worn off. Isaac didn't like the taste. He never refuses a bottle so down the drain it went. PM me if you want to chat about my IV experience. I went home for days 6-14. It was definitely a good idea in my situation and it turns out I needed it more than I thought I did.

 

[LouLou]

Anne, I had a painless PICC in mid Feb. Isaac was 7 mo. old. I was and still am breastfeeding him. I pumped and stored in my room at the hospital for the 5 days I was there. My dh would take it home each day and change out the ice in my chest.

After reading Medication and Mother's Milk and lacmed.com (I think this is it lmk if it doesn't work) I felt very comfortable with continuing bf'ing. Even my husband with a phd in chemistry did the reading and agreed that the risks of quiting outweighed those of the drugs. Medicines don't go into breastmilk much at all and yes they have levels to prove it. My son did fine on breastmilk while I was on three of the most powerful antibiotics in the world. He didn't even get diaper rash. I took Vanco, Meropenum and Tobramycin. I didn't ask my cf doctor. It frankly was none of his business. They were aware that I was breastfeeding and I left out the book and lactmed paperwork for anyone curious to read. When I got sedativ & contrast for an embolization they (interventional radiology) was so keen on me keeping bfing htat they did their homework too to discover it was fine after the half life wore off. THat sort of freaked me out. Well I kept it until yesterday....long after the radioactiveness had worn off. Isaac didn't like the taste. He never refuses a bottle so down the drain it went. PM me if you want to chat about my IV experience. I went home for days 6-14. It was definitely a good idea in my situation and it turns out I needed it more than I thought I did.

 

[LouLou]

Anne, I had a painless PICC in mid Feb. Isaac was 7 mo. old. I was and still am breastfeeding him. I pumped and stored in my room at the hospital for the 5 days I was there. My dh would take it home each day and change out the ice in my chest.
<br />
<br />After reading Medication and Mother's Milk and lacmed.com (I think this is it lmk if it doesn't work) I felt very comfortable with continuing bf'ing. Even my husband with a phd in chemistry did the reading and agreed that the risks of quiting outweighed those of the drugs. Medicines don't go into breastmilk much at all and yes they have levels to prove it. My son did fine on breastmilk while I was on three of the most powerful antibiotics in the world. He didn't even get diaper rash. I took Vanco, Meropenum and Tobramycin. I didn't ask my cf doctor. It frankly was none of his business. They were aware that I was breastfeeding and I left out the book and lactmed paperwork for anyone curious to read. When I got sedativ & contrast for an embolization they (interventional radiology) was so keen on me keeping bfing htat they did their homework too to discover it was fine after the half life wore off. THat sort of freaked me out. Well I kept it until yesterday....long after the radioactiveness had worn off. Isaac didn't like the taste. He never refuses a bottle so down the drain it went. PM me if you want to chat about my IV experience. I went home for days 6-14. It was definitely a good idea in my situation and it turns out I needed it more than I thought I did.

 

[Scarlett81]

I did IVs in Dec and I continued bf as well. I did Pipercillin and Ceftaz. My doc and a lactation center worked together to pick the best drugs. I wouldn't worry to much about the picc. Its nothing. The only thing that hurts is the little prick of lidocaine to numb your arm for insertion.
Keep it wrapped good-wear sleeves to cover it, or put an ace bandage around it, so that your LO's don't tug on it. It would be hard for them to pull it out, but it hurts when it gets tugged on.
I also just had an appendectomy and I was in the hosp a few days. I tried to pump, but it was too painful/hard w the surgery issue. Fortunately my milk came right back as soon as I got home w baby. She wasn't interested in my breast at first, from 3 days of bottle spoiling. But once I was up to it, I just refused to let her win that one and we were back to our old selves quickly.

 

[Scarlett81]

I did IVs in Dec and I continued bf as well. I did Pipercillin and Ceftaz. My doc and a lactation center worked together to pick the best drugs. I wouldn't worry to much about the picc. Its nothing. The only thing that hurts is the little prick of lidocaine to numb your arm for insertion.
Keep it wrapped good-wear sleeves to cover it, or put an ace bandage around it, so that your LO's don't tug on it. It would be hard for them to pull it out, but it hurts when it gets tugged on.
I also just had an appendectomy and I was in the hosp a few days. I tried to pump, but it was too painful/hard w the surgery issue. Fortunately my milk came right back as soon as I got home w baby. She wasn't interested in my breast at first, from 3 days of bottle spoiling. But once I was up to it, I just refused to let her win that one and we were back to our old selves quickly.

 

[Scarlett81]

I did IVs in Dec and I continued bf as well. I did Pipercillin and Ceftaz. My doc and a lactation center worked together to pick the best drugs. I wouldn't worry to much about the picc. Its nothing. The only thing that hurts is the little prick of lidocaine to numb your arm for insertion.
Keep it wrapped good-wear sleeves to cover it, or put an ace bandage around it, so that your LO's don't tug on it. It would be hard for them to pull it out, but it hurts when it gets tugged on.
I also just had an appendectomy and I was in the hosp a few days. I tried to pump, but it was too painful/hard w the surgery issue. Fortunately my milk came right back as soon as I got home w baby. She wasn't interested in my breast at first, from 3 days of bottle spoiling. But once I was up to it, I just refused to let her win that one and we were back to our old selves quickly.

 

[Scarlett81]

I did IVs in Dec and I continued bf as well. I did Pipercillin and Ceftaz. My doc and a lactation center worked together to pick the best drugs. I wouldn't worry to much about the picc. Its nothing. The only thing that hurts is the little prick of lidocaine to numb your arm for insertion.
Keep it wrapped good-wear sleeves to cover it, or put an ace bandage around it, so that your LO's don't tug on it. It would be hard for them to pull it out, but it hurts when it gets tugged on.
I also just had an appendectomy and I was in the hosp a few days. I tried to pump, but it was too painful/hard w the surgery issue. Fortunately my milk came right back as soon as I got home w baby. She wasn't interested in my breast at first, from 3 days of bottle spoiling. But once I was up to it, I just refused to let her win that one and we were back to our old selves quickly.

 

[Scarlett81]

I did IVs in Dec and I continued bf as well. I did Pipercillin and Ceftaz. My doc and a lactation center worked together to pick the best drugs. I wouldn't worry to much about the picc. Its nothing. The only thing that hurts is the little prick of lidocaine to numb your arm for insertion.
<br />Keep it wrapped good-wear sleeves to cover it, or put an ace bandage around it, so that your LO's don't tug on it. It would be hard for them to pull it out, but it hurts when it gets tugged on.
<br />I also just had an appendectomy and I was in the hosp a few days. I tried to pump, but it was too painful/hard w the surgery issue. Fortunately my milk came right back as soon as I got home w baby. She wasn't interested in my breast at first, from 3 days of bottle spoiling. But once I was up to it, I just refused to let her win that one and we were back to our old selves quickly.

 

[wanderlost]

you've already been given good info from Lauren and Christian, so I will just reiterate: most IVs are perfectly safe because the IV meds are not absorbed into the body orally, so though you get the meds in your breastmilk, the baby isn't absorbing them through her digestive track. I was on my first ever IVS in Feb and I took Fortaz and Vanco - both are listed as L1 - the safest for nursing - by Tom Hale (meds and mother's milk) but as Lauran said, I wouldn't even bother telling your doc - research the meds yourself - call an LC or LLL leader if you aren't sure (or any of us could help you look them up if you can't find them) and then just do it! I was really glad I did, after it was all said and done.

 

[wanderlost]

you've already been given good info from Lauren and Christian, so I will just reiterate: most IVs are perfectly safe because the IV meds are not absorbed into the body orally, so though you get the meds in your breastmilk, the baby isn't absorbing them through her digestive track. I was on my first ever IVS in Feb and I took Fortaz and Vanco - both are listed as L1 - the safest for nursing - by Tom Hale (meds and mother's milk) but as Lauran said, I wouldn't even bother telling your doc - research the meds yourself - call an LC or LLL leader if you aren't sure (or any of us could help you look them up if you can't find them) and then just do it! I was really glad I did, after it was all said and done.

 

[wanderlost]

you've already been given good info from Lauren and Christian, so I will just reiterate: most IVs are perfectly safe because the IV meds are not absorbed into the body orally, so though you get the meds in your breastmilk, the baby isn't absorbing them through her digestive track. I was on my first ever IVS in Feb and I took Fortaz and Vanco - both are listed as L1 - the safest for nursing - by Tom Hale (meds and mother's milk) but as Lauran said, I wouldn't even bother telling your doc - research the meds yourself - call an LC or LLL leader if you aren't sure (or any of us could help you look them up if you can't find them) and then just do it! I was really glad I did, after it was all said and done.

 

[wanderlost]

you've already been given good info from Lauren and Christian, so I will just reiterate: most IVs are perfectly safe because the IV meds are not absorbed into the body orally, so though you get the meds in your breastmilk, the baby isn't absorbing them through her digestive track. I was on my first ever IVS in Feb and I took Fortaz and Vanco - both are listed as L1 - the safest for nursing - by Tom Hale (meds and mother's milk) but as Lauran said, I wouldn't even bother telling your doc - research the meds yourself - call an LC or LLL leader if you aren't sure (or any of us could help you look them up if you can't find them) and then just do it! I was really glad I did, after it was all said and done.

 

[wanderlost]

you've already been given good info from Lauren and Christian, so I will just reiterate: most IVs are perfectly safe because the IV meds are not absorbed into the body orally, so though you get the meds in your breastmilk, the baby isn't absorbing them through her digestive track. I was on my first ever IVS in Feb and I took Fortaz and Vanco - both are listed as L1 - the safest for nursing - by Tom Hale (meds and mother's milk) but as Lauran said, I wouldn't even bother telling your doc - research the meds yourself - call an LC or LLL leader if you aren't sure (or any of us could help you look them up if you can't find them) and then just do it! I was really glad I did, after it was all said and done.