After having my third baby I’m definitely going to put together a list for how I want things to go AFTER delivery….
After I had my daughter I had a very upsetting experience with the hospitals pediatrician. They had told me I was to immediately stop breastfeeding due to a medication called lamotrigine.
I take this medicine for seizure, I was on it all pregnancy. I had talked to my neurologist COUNTLESS TIMES about whether or not it was safe to breastfeed on. And my neurologist had specifically told me she put me on this medicine cause it’s one of the safest to be one during pregnancy and for breastfeeding.
Fast forward to after delivery my baby girl was super tired and hardly eating, but she also wasn’t even a whole day old. The pediatrician blamed her sleepiness on me and my medication, told me to stop nursing and give her formula. Even though I had talked to my other daughters pediatrician and who would be my babies pediatrician as well, about the medicine and they said there are more benefits than risks of breastfeeding. That pediatrician made me feel so guilty that I listened and stopped…
Now 8 months postpartum and she’s been strictly breastfed since the second week she came home. I really wish I had went to the pediatrician and told her that all other doctors were completely fine with it. I was even on a safe enough dose that it hardly passes through to the milk.
So I have decided when I go to deliver this precious baby growing right now I will take all needing documentation from drs and studies that it is okay to feed her. And honestly I should’ve really raised heck on that hospital pediatrician for BLAMING me. I mean most freshly newborns sleep a ton that first day, birth is just as hard on them as it is us moms.
So if I had to tell any moms something from my experience it’s make sure if someone tries to convince you you can’t breastfeed and that’s what you wanna do have the information prepared because living in Ohio where breastfeeding isn’t super popular (atleast in my neck of the woods) they’ll try to tell you it’s not okay and shove formula down your throat! I will now make sure to document my child’s pediatrician saying it’s okay and also explaining that I breastfed my other daughter on the medication and advocate for myself so much differently this time!
I’m so sorry this happened to you. I HATE when doctors act like that and don’t even do the research needed to have the knowledge. I’ve had similar experiences with pediatricians. I left and found a new doctor cause I was tired of them trying to push stuff on me. My last straw was when they slammed the door on me and my infant soon standing in the exam room. We found a new one and LOVE them!
It’s so stinking frustrating even when I did the research too the still made me feel dumb for thinking it was okay my husband did his own research and he was like “ I feel 100% confident if you want to breastfeed she’ll be okay and you need to start pumping to establish your supply” had he not said anything I probably would’ve tried to dry up so thankful to him!
I’m so glad your husband helped you in this way. There’s really nothing better than having a husband that goes above and beyond to support you, especially when someone else makes you feel incredibly small.
sometimes you have to wonder if the Doctors have our best interests in mind or if there just protocol…nothing against medical professionals cause i have a very nice and sweet ob doctor
The hospital I delivered at has actually been getting in trouble with their labor and delivery units as well as their Nicu and mother and baby….. I switched practices for this current pregnancy I hope I have a better experience… through my whole adult hood I have yet to find an obgyn I actually like/ trust… which is very sad and disappointing
I’m so sorry you went through that guilt, but I love how strong you’ve become as an advocate for yourself and your babies! Bringing clear documentation is such a smart move. Thank you for this reminder mama and sharing your story.
Sorry this happened to you and the pediatrician made you feel bad about a safe med you were taking. That pediatrician should have been taught a lesson on how to do HW prior to making assumptions. But it was a great thing that you kept up with breastfeeding your daughter.
Im so sorry you went through this. They sometimes are soo meannn and cold and not understandable. In my case they wanted me to breastfeed not to pump or give other mom’s milk or formula while my baby couldnt hold my nipple and kept loosing weight. I had to stay strong and stand on my ground at one point cause they were treating me like a crazy person or a bad mom who wanted the easiest way
See that’s absolutely ridiculous! They should support you with whatever you choose instead of being judgemental and thinking they know better it’s so upsetting
That’s wild being some moms are out in pain medication after a c section and they still breast feed I think Idk actually I haven’t had a c section but I am pretty positive
my husband did his own research and he was like “ I feel 100% confident if you want to breastfeed she’ll be okay and you need to start pumping to establish your supply” had he not said anything I probably would’ve tried to dry up so thankful to him!
All my love to you and your growing family
