NICU Week 2 - "Fed is Best"
Week 2.
Two weeks of pumping and getting puddles. That's how week 2 was going for me. Was it because he was so early? No one knew. I should have been producing by now, but my milk still hadn't come in. I tried lactation cookies, beer, and fenugreek, all the things that were recommended to me. Then I decided to ask the lactation consultant about the interaction my mental health medicine could have on my milk supply.
I've been on the same medication for over two years now, Cymbalta and Abilify, and it has kept everything in check phenomenally. BUT, Abilify reduces the production of prolactin, the hormone needed to produce breast milk. It only affects about 25% of individuals and I was in that 25%. My OB looked into prescribing me Reglan, to get my production where it needed to be but then realized it would affect the Abilify. They decided it would be in my best interest to formula feed or continue to use donor milk. Up until this point, Nathan has been on donor breastmilk, and he will continue until 34 weeks gestation.
I went back and forth on what to do and decided that keeping my mental health in check was the best thing for myself, my family, and all 5 children. As much as I wanted to breastfeed Nathan, just as I did his brother, Chase, it just isn’t in the cards for me. I struggled with this for a few days. Mainly because I know my body is capable of breastfeeding, it just can’t right now due to my mental health. While I know “Fed is Best,” I also know the huge health benefits of breastfeeding and I wanted that for Nathan, especially with his prematurity.
My mental health is a huge priority to me, so this was a hard decision to make. In the end, a happy mom is the goal. I needed to stay happy and healthy for my family of 7. That doesn't mean I was happy about this decision. But I had to get my emotions and thoughts on board with it.
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