Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Help! I'm afraid I'm losing my supply!

I'll call Tuesday (after the holiday on Mon.) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm not especially worried, just irked that my PCM's office seemed unwilling to listen to what I was saying.

I almost forgot-- I spoke to my Rheumatologist on the phone today. I told him all about who you are, this website, etc. I told him that Dr. Hale recommended Ritalin might be a reasonable option, because milk levels are low. He said, "I don't know where you're getting this information, but no one knows if it is safe or not. I called the manufacturer myself and they told me they just don't know." He knows who Dr. Hale is, but he either disbelieved that I had gotten the information from him, or disbelieved the information itself.

He is very anti-breastfeeding anyway. He has told me often that even biological mothers nurising one baby rarely produce enough milk to breastfeed exclusively. He also says that while breastfeeding is important the first few days of life, after that it is really just personal preference, and not usually worth it, especially for me. (I guess he disbelieves the AAP and WHO too?) He concedes that breastmilk is better nutritionally, but I could not possibly have enough for all of my babies. This in spite of my telling him I've been taking the babies to the pediatrician monthly for weight checks just to make sure their weight is fine, and she (the ped) is perfectly satisfied with their growth and their breastfeeding.

I sort of felt like he was witholding medication as leverage to convince me to stop nursing. (I must be mistaken, though. surely that's not ethical?) He knows that when I have a flare up my inability to stay awake is a definite safety risk for my children. I even told him I would be willing to "pump and dump" on those days I take it, since I only need it once in a while, for maybe a week or so at a time. I would of course prefer to keep breastfeeding, but I would be willing to make this concession. I even said I would take the Provigil (the one he gave me samples of ) if he felt more comfortable with that, since he knows the halflife is 24 hours and it would be out of my system the next day. I was hoping that it wouldn't affect my supply if I took it rarely. He said this is an unacceptable alternative. He said "Until the day you tell me you are done breastfeeding for good, I won't give you anything." He is so against my nursing at all. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

My plan is to talk to the ped first and get her approval for Ritalin, then go to my PCM and discuss it with him. I am just so surprised at the bias many physicians seem to have against breastfeeding. Thankfully, the ped is extremely supportive.

Sorry this post is so long. I just feel a bit flabbergasted, and a teensy beat up.

Jaime ((hug)) I am so sorry he acted like that. Going to your pediatrician sounds like a good idea. Maybe she can put a call into him directly. He is being ridiculous and in my opinion if he is unwilling to work with you I would either find another doctor or report him to the AMA etc or both. He isn't even basing what he is telling you on fact as far as exclusive breastfeeding goes. Women take Ritalin to stop premature labor. If it is safe during pregnancy crossing the blood brain barrier then seems it would be safe with nursing. I know that isn't always the case but I trust what Doctor Hale says. Besides you are willing to pump and dump as you stated so really there is no reason he couldn't give it to you.

Just an update-- the babies seem completely fine with the left side again. I don''t know what the deal was, but I'm relieved that everything seems to be back to normal. I am still going to talk to the LC when she calls me back, and my doc about Goldsmith, just to be safe. I am also going to talk to the ped about Ritalin and then see my internist if the ped approves it. And, I am requesting to be assigned to a different Rheumatologist. I just don't feel comfortable with someone who is so fundamentally opposed to nursing in general.

Good for you Jamie. I am so glad the babues are doing fine with that side now.

Hi Jamie,

Congratulations on your succes with getting your babies back to the affected breast and on your standing your ground against a health care professional who took an oath to do no harm and should be helping you.

I'm so sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I've had a horrendous week. A dear friend has had a heart attack and has been in the ER of my hospital. I've been spending night and day helping to care for her. Another dear friend had a heart attack the day before. Her funeral was Wednesday and I've been running from the hospital to the funeral to the home to be with the family and back to the hospital to care for my friend. This is my first opportunity online.

Ok, having said that... the rhumatologist is not providing you with evidenced-based information and is contavening the recommendations by the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a host of other respected heath care associations.

The bit about the babies not needing anything but a few days of breastmilk is rediculous since breastmilk only comes in after a few days for a birth mother. The first few days produces only collostrom...if that is what he meant. Lars Hanson has spent his life researching the immune benefits of breastmilk which he and others say can benefit a child the most up to the age of 5. Adult liver transplant patients receive breastmilk to help their immune systems. Breastmilk contains interferon and so babies who are exclusively formula fed are eight times more likely to develop lymphoma than breastfed babies.

From what you describe, this guy is not competent to discuss breastfeeding matters in any real sense and is using his position to bully you. You should report him. Here is a link to a literature review that contains numerous reference articles regarding the outcomes of breastfeeding VS formula feeding: http://www.lalecheleague.org/cbi/Biospec.htm

Also, please visit this webpage for additional links: http://www.promom.org/101/j

If you email me at Lenore@asklenore.info I'll be happy to email you Dr. Hale's original email to me.

And I'm not just Lenore from Ask Lenore. I'm also the executive director of the Canadian Breastfeeding Foundation www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org and the founder of the Goldfarb Breastfeeding Program which includes the breastfeeding clinic at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. The government was so impressed with our efforts, they agreed to provide funding for our clinic. And we're moving to a much larger space in 2007.

Just a basic check of the IBLCE website provides proof that I'm board certified. Go to this link: http://www.iblce.org/international%20registry.htm
Look for Canada and click on Quebec. Then scrolll down to Goldfarb, Lenore Esther. That's me.

If this doctor bothered to check out our website and my credentials, he'd know this. All of this is easy to verify. In fact if he telephoned the Jewish General Hospital foundation or the breastfeeding clinic and asked about me and my work, he'd have egg all over his face in no time.

I should mention that I'm on temporary leave from the breastfeeding clinic while I finish up my Ph.D. but that I attend all relevant meetings and come in for special cases on request. I'm also providing research assistance upon request. When the clinic moves to our new space I'll be moving into a new position: Board Certified Lactation Consultant/Researcher.

Best,

Thank you for the support and the links! I was afraid I was just overreacting to the rheumatologist's statements and actions. It gets under my skin to no end that women have so much against us when it comes to breastfeeding, in terms of the attitudes of others, even some physicians.I do think I need to report him.

You go girl!!! Someone has to stop him.

Regarding my friend who had the heart attack, she's been released from the hospital and is on the mend at home. Regarding the horrible incident at Dawson College that by now has been all over the news, my friends and relatives, several of whom either teach at or attend Dawson, are accounted for and safe. None were injured.

My thoughts and prayers are with those less fortunate.

Best,