Yes, you can breastfeed. It is true that if you have a deficit nutritionally, then your milk will reflect that, but there are many things that can be done to increase your vitamin and nutrient levels and therby increase the content of your milk. This should be done anyway, so that your health is optimum whether or not you choose to breastfeed. I found that the Reliv supplements helped me to have better levels (all now well within normal range). It is always said of any nursing mother that your calories must be increased since you are expending so many more than if you were not breastfeeding. I know that weight loss is a concern for most of us and most women with CF lose whatever pregnancy-gained weight pretty quickly (mine was all gone within a week), but again making sure that your nutrition and calorie intake is not "adequeate" but rather "optimum" makes a HUGE difference. There are few women who truly are unable biologically to nurse and few babies who cannot nurse or receive mothers' milk. Support, like La Leche League International (LLL) or family and friends, is a key factor in how successful your experience is. There have been numerous recent studies that show most (not all) antibiotics to be safe for use when breastfeeding (unlike pregnancy where the placenta filters in proportions of everything you take in to your baby, milk ducts produce their own product and only certain things cross into the ducts and usually in quite small amounts) LLL has wonderful people who have access to all the latest on those drugs and procedures that are safe or contraindicated and are a valuable resource second to none. Three things. 1) Cystic Fibrosis just by diagnosis does not preclude a woman from breastfeeding (although extenuating circumstances can influence her ability, success or decision to supplement).2) Go to some LLL meetings and read some books before your baby is born. You can see real life nursing women with real-life experience as well as get important decision-making information ahead of time so that you have the opportunity to process it. It will help to see how babies are properly positioned and hear about common problems and solutions before you may encounter them. 3) You my find, as you observe and educate yourself about both breat and bottle-feeding, that breastfeeding is not as difficult and laborious as you once thought. It is common for women brought up only around bottles to have an inaccurate view of what the breastfeeding experience is like. Many women who have done both, find breastfeeding liberating and easier (there are how-to's that aid in the ease and feedom experienced).There is a website for mothers who have undergone breast surgery and who may have lost some ability to lactate. Even these women, or women with adopted babies can still nurse. There are simple supplementation devices that allow you to use donated milk or formula to supplement your own while still putting your precious baby to the breast. This has the effect of increasing the available milk-supply because of the continued stimulation still allowing your baby to access whatever milk (however much or little) you do produce. If you want to make it work, there are very, very few situations in which you cannot. Littlewhippet, my email is <A href="mailto:jaloughin3@sbcglobal.net">jaloughin3@sbcglobal.net</A> try and eamil me again and I'll be looking for it.
