>1) New mom with MS diagnosed 8 years ago. Baby is six weeks and still at birth
>weight. Mom has been pumping infrequently. During consult today after pumping
>for 15 min she just had drips. My question is.. is there any information
>regarding MS and milk supply.. Mom wasn't on any meds during preg. started
>ditropan 2 days ago which she now stopped. I strongly doubt her supply was any
>better before the ditropan.

MS would NOT affect her milk supply directly; it just doesn't work that way
or create that kind of systemic effect.  IMHO this is a management problem
("... pumping infrequently") and it is possible that her ability to *manage*
breastfeeding is affected by her own symptoms of MS.  For example, if she
has weakness in her hands or arms, she might not be picking up the baby as
much as would be ideal - it can be pretty scary to lift your baby and worry
that you're going to drop her!  Or she could be suffering from fatigue, a
common and insidious MS problem that could leave her feeling like this is
just too hard to do.

And don't forget the confidence factor.  If one of her health care providers
who's primarily concerned about her MS has expressed doubt that she can
manage breastfeeding, it could certainly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Something else:  pregnant moms with MS often feel great, with few acute
episodes, apparently due to the alterations in the mother's immune system
during pregnancy.  Unfortunately the months *following* delivery are often
kinda tough for moms with MS, with an increase in symptoms - this is very
scary and unsettling.

What is ditropan and what was it prescribed for?  Was it OK for her to stop
taking it?

I'm sure lots of Lactnetters know moms with MS who've nursed without milk
supply difficulties.  My sister-in-law is one.  I didn't have MS when I was
nursing babies so can't provide a first-person perspective on that
particular aspect, but I do have it now and have read everything about it
that I can get my hands on.  I don't recall ever seeing a mention of
breastfeeding difficulties except those related to physical handicaps.

Find out if her MS is getting the way of her everyday caring for her baby,
and if so, help her the way you'd help any other person with a physical
limitation.  If it's NOT impairing her ability to lift, hold, nurse, care
for her baby, then it's NOT the MS that is causing the problem.  Hope this
helps.

Mary Renard
Vienna, Virginia USA
posting for myself, not my employer



Mary Riley Renard, RN, BSN, IBCLC
CERP/Recertification Coordinator
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners
P O Box 2348
Falls Church VA  22042-0348  USA
Tele 703-560-7330
Fax  703-560-7332
email <[log in to unmask]>