Hi Everyone,
Having worked very closely to a mother who went through pretty much the
exact same senario, I would definately encourage this mother to breastfeed
for those 2 weeks.  I do not know why her doctors have discouraged her but
we all know that doctors often fail to see the importance of breastfeeding
for the mother (if not for the baby). I can't imagine what the problem could
be.  I see this 2 week period between the birth and the chemo as a grace
period during which mother and baby can enjoy a somewhat normal relationship
and bonding.  For a mother who has already breastfed her children, a normal
relationship means breastfeeding.   This mother is going to feel cheated
enough of a normal relationship with this baby, why should she be deprived
the experience of 2 normal weeks and later on of being able to look back at
her baby's first weeks and feeling good about it instead of regretful and
angry.  She may even want to put the baby to breast after the chemo.  Once
she starts chemo, her milk supply will diminish anyways (this from personal
observation and not scientific evidence).  Please bring this up with your
client, at least have her (or you or someone) check out if it really is a
medical problem to nurse this baby so that despite what she decides ahead of
time, when she is holding her newborn in her arms and every mothering
instinct in her is screeming to breastfeed, she  will know that it is OK.
All the best,
Chayn in Israel IBCLC

On Sun, Jun 21, 2009 at 4:15 AM, Katherine Lilleskov
<[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> She could also consider Dostinex (Cabergoline). This is a medication used
> to
> decrease prolactin levels. I owe the existence of my two children to this
> medication, as I have a prolactinoma of the pituitary which keeps my
> prolactin
> levels too high to conceive. This med was a wonder drug for me. It can also
> be used postpartum to decrease or suppress milk supply and several European
> studies point to it's efficacy according to Hale. It is safer than
> Bromocriptine
> and might be a good alternative for your friend/client.
> Kathy Lilleskov RN IBCLC
>
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