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Surviving Hospital Stays
How to Preserve Your Nursing Relationship
By Amy Carey
In Burt's case, she was advised not to nurse while receiving antibiotics for an infection. Had her situation not been an emergency, she could have investigated her treatment options and found that some medications are compatible with breastfeeding – including the medication she was given. Should you be advised to wean because you'll be taking medication during your hospital stay, talk to your doctors and even do research on your own to check out all alternatives. Is the medication safe? If not, what options do you have?
"Mothers should be aware that most drugs are safe and compatible with breastfeeding," says Wolfenstein. "For those that aren't, an alternative often exists. The best place to get information about medications and breastfeeding is from an IBCLC."
Mothers whose hospital procedure requires general anesthesia can rest assured that Baby can resume breastfeeding as soon as Mother is comfortable enough to do so. "General anesthesia is routinely used for emergency C-sections, and [babies] are able to go to the breast immediately after birth," says Wolfenstein. "The anesthesia used for surgical procedures is no different."
