Hello Wise Ones,
 
A mom I've worked with since her daughter's birth, through near term,  
tongue function, digestion issues, reflux, Ped GI consults etc has a happy  
breastfeeding 6 month old. Mom has been on Tysabri/Natalizumab for her Multiple  
Sclerosis. Her neurologist has informed her that there are now concerns of  
rising levels of the drug for her baby and that since 6 months " provides 
all  the benefits of nursing" she should wean completely as soon as possible.
 
Mom has talked briefly to the Infant Risk Center, and there is confirmation 
 that there is some concern. Her ped, who is very BF supportive called her  
pediatric immunologist who said the same.  She called to brainstorm  about 
this heartbreaking development as well as the lack of really clear  
information on what the risks might actually be short or long term for her  little 
girl. Right now, she is wondering if reducing exposure to the drug by  
weaning to formula in her daughter's bottles while she's at work, the normal  
starting of solids, and continuing to breastfeed morning and evening ( baby  
sleeps long at night) would be "safe". Apparently she's been told that won't  
work because her baby will refuse to nurse at all, but we talked through the  
various possibilities that her little girl might be ok with, from her point 
of  view and how to move through that. Question to anyone with the  
pharmaceutical savvy to comment: based on these new concerns, does that  scenario 
seem like it would achieve the stated goal? It's sad and  ironic that a mom 
with an autoimmune issue might have to wean her baby from  normal immune 
support because the drug could aversely affect her  immune function. If she 
needs to wean her for safety reasons, she will and  I will help her. But if 
anyone has information, we would love to hear it,  whatever it is.
 
Peace,
Judy  

Judy LeVan  Fram, PT, IBCLC, LLLL
Brooklyn, NY,  USA
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