Breastfeeding, Lactation, & Multiple Sclerosis
Congratulations on your growing family! Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Multiple Sclerosis can involve some big decisions, and we want make sure this is a joyful and stress-free time for your family. Here is some information that can help you with your decisions around breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding and MS
Breastfeeding has many benefits for parents and babies. For parents with MS, breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months may help to decrease relapses, but the science is not clear on this yet. If breastfeeding is OK with the medications you are on, then we strongly recommend breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first 6 months of life, then with solid foods for 1-2 years, or as long after that as you two would like! For more information, please visit the Office on Women's Health website.
MS Medications
Many MS medications are safe for breastfeeding parents and babies. If your medication isn’t safe for breastfeeding, sometimes there are others you can try. For parents who can’t switch, we encourage them to give their babies the gift of breastfeeding for the first 1 or 2 weeks of life, or until the medication needs to be started. Your Neurologist will help you make some decisions about which ones are right for you.
Imaging
It is fine for breastfeeding parents to have MRI scans with contrast. Most of the contrast agents that are used are safe, and parents do not need to pump and discard milk after having an MRI.
Holding and Support
To breastfeed, you need to be able to hold your baby close. Sometimes, if a parent with MS has a flare, this can be hard to do. Make sure you have help lined up at home during these times. It also helps to have a comfortable, safe place to breastfeed, and some options for slings and baby carriers.
What if I Need Pulse Steroids for a Relapse While Breastfeeding?
When taking pulse steroids, it is still OK to breastfeed, though it may decrease your milk supply. Waiting 4 hours after an IV steroid infusion will prevent your baby from getting milk high in steroids.
Storing Milk for Future Use
For parents with a high risk of relapse, you may want to consider adding a regular pumping session first thing after your baby’s morning feed, and storing the milk. You can then use this milk if you become too unwell to breastfeed or need to take a different medication that is not compatible with breastfeeding.
What if I Will Need to Wean When I Switch Medicines?
Fortunately, this is a very rare situation. If you need to wean to go on a medication that is not safe for breastfeeding, we can help you do this safely and comfortably.
For more help, or for a visit with a Breastfeeding Medicine Specialist (a doctor who specializes in breastfeeding in complex situations), call (585) 276-MILK.