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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:
From:
Lynda Millman <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 20 Jan 1996 13:31:00 PST
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Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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>There are 12 messages totalling 301 lines in this issue.
>
>Topics in this special issue:
>
>  1. Marijuana
>  2. Information on LAM (2)
>  3. Herbs again!
>  4. LC job description
>  5. LAM, ditto!
>  6. Thyroid question
>  7. 5%- insufficient milk
>  8. slow gain baby
>  9. witch milk
> 10. WIC Again
> 11. receding chin?
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 10:32:37 -0600
>From:    "Dr. Tom Hale" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Marijuana
>
>To  :  Dr. Montgomery
>Re  : Marijuana and drugs of abuse.
>
>        This question concerns a mom who has in the past month used
>Marijuana(MJ) and wishes to breastfeed.   This is a question that I am
>asked almost every week,  particularly from child protective services.
>Unfortunately,  its a judgement call that has to be weighed closely.
>
>        First,  marijuana is a very lipid soluble drug, that is sequestered
>for long periods of time,  not in the brain,  but in lipid rich(adipose)
>tissue of the body.  It produces sedation, decreased aggressive behavior,
>and the classic "Amotivational syndrome".  Chronic high dosage produces a
>dose related depression of ovarian function,  a decrease in LH and FSH and
>anovulatory menstrual cycles;  and in males may reduce
>spermatogenesis(lowers testosterone).  Animal studies suggest a decrease in
>prolactin production and milk production.
>
>        The elimination half-life is approximately 30 hours,  although
>certain metabolites may be longer.  Because MJ metabolites are retained for
>long periods in lipid rich tissues, small(but detectible) levels are
>excreted for weeks.  Such levels lead to a positive urine screen for at
>least 2 weeks,  and maybe a month in chronic high-dose users.
>
>        The milk:plasma ratio is approximately 8,  and it appears that
>marijuana is readily transferred into human milk.  We do not know if the
>levels are high enough to produce neuroleptic effects in a nursing
>infant... I rather doubt they are but this would depend on dose and
>temporal factors.  More importantly(legally),  the infant and mom will
>continue to test positive on drug screens for some time(even if mom has not
>smoked recently),  even though the infant may be only exposed to minuscule
>concentrations of MJ.  Thus far,  a number of studies seem to indicate that
>there are no long term sequelae from prenatal or postnatal exposure to
>marijuana,  although there is room for argument.
>
>        So I generally recommend to Child Protective services,  that mom be
>routinely screened for drug abuse(cocaine, MJ, etc.).  Because the process
>of breastfeeding is so terribly important for bonding and medical reasons,
>I think continued breastfeeding is worth the risk of exposure to small
>levels of drugs of abuse(which we know seldom produce pharmacologic
>effect).
>
>        So I recommend continued monitoring,  and let the mom breastfeed.
>Both she and the infant will probably still be positive for MJ for up to a
>month,  but the urine levels should be dropping.  What do you do if the mom
>still tests positive for MJ use after one month...use your best judgement,
>knowing that the neuroleptic effects of low dose marijuana in the infant
>will probably be minimal.
>
>        This is one of those times,  that pharmacologic reasoning should
>probably over-rule our emotions, and when the wonders of breastfeeding
>significantly outweigh smaller risks of exposure to MJ.
>
>Tom Hale
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 12:50:00 -0500
>From:    Cynthia Visness <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Information on LAM
>
>For information on LAM, write to:
>
>        The Institute for Reproductive Health
>        Georgetown University
>        Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
>        2115 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 6th floor
>        Washington, DC  20007
>
>Miriam Labbok is the Director of BF and MCH at the Institute and
>is in charge of research and promotion regarding LAM (primarily
>work in developing countries funded by USAID).  They have lots of
>good information.
>
>I also have a 1-page fact sheet on LAM ("Is Breastfeeding an
>Effective Contraceptive?) that I would be happy to share.  Send
>me a snail-mail address.  (However, I can't be sending out 700+
>of these things.  Is there some more central LC resource place
>that would like a copy or stack of copies?)
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Cynthia Visness               Voice:         919.544.7040
>Research Associate            Voicemail:     919.544.6979 x586
>Family Health International   Fax:           919.544.7261
>Contraceptive Use &           Internet:      [log in to unmask]
>Epidemiology Division
>
>Post Office Address:          Shipping Address:
>P.O Box 13950                 2224 Chapel Hill-Nelson Hwy
>RTP, NC 27709-3950 USA        Durham, NC 27713 USA
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 13:31:58 -0500
>From:    Dany Gauthier <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Herbs again!
>
>To Kris:
>
>Cascara is an anthracene derivative. In Berkowitz's second edition "Handbook
>for Prescribing Medications During Pregnancy", it says:
>
>" The presence of anthracene derivatives in breast milk and the incidence of
>diarrhea among nursing infants whose mothers ingest these substances are
>controversial. In his book on drugs in breast milk, Wilson notes that the
>standard recommendation is for nursing mothers to avoid these medications,
>but that documentation of risk is lacking.
>
>In another reference "Self Medication - A Reference for Health
>Professionnals" from the Can. Pharm. Ass. (988: 329-30), it says:
>
>" Stimulant laxatives produce severe abdominal cramps frequently, increase
>mucus secretion and in some individuals, lead to an excessive evacuation of
>fluids."
>
>I also found that Goldenrod leaves have allergenic properties. Licorice root
>in large amounts can cause sodium and water retention, hypokalemia,
>hypertension, heart failure and cardiac arrest (B Bannister et al, Br Med J,
>2:738, 1977; TJ Chamberlain, JAMA, 213:1343, 1970; M Koster and GK David, N
>Engl J Med, 278:1381, 1968.
>
>By the way, just a little something from Berkowitz on Aloe:
>
>"Aloe is contraindicated in pregnancy because it can cross the placenta and
>stimulate the fetal intestine, leading to the passage of meconium."
>
>Aloe is also an anthracene derivative and its ingestion often results in
>colic! A warning for moms who wish to use it on their nipples. I have known
>some who would take the aloe directly from a cut plant and apply it directly
>to their nipples before feeding...
>Dany Gauthier IBCLC
>[log in to unmask]
>Montreal, Canada
>Tel: 514-923-3792
>Fax:514-923-3802
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 13:57:13 -0500
>From:    Elisa Hirsch <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: LC job description
>
>Do any of you LC's that work in hospitals strictly as LC's have a job
>description? This does not exist in our hosp and I'm considering putting one
>together.  If you can help please let me know.
>
>TIA
>Elisa Hirsch, RN, IBCLC
>Westlake Village, CA
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 13:33:43 -0400
>From:    "Linda Volkovitsch, Nursing Mothers Counselor" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: LAM, ditto!
>
>I would like to second Julie Brill's request.  I did not save the LAM
>information and now would like to know much more about it.  I would truly
>appreciate it if I could also get copies of any and all LAM information.  I
>am slowly but surely learning to save everything (and wondering if buying
>stock in disk companies is the way to go....?)
>
>TIA,
>Linda V.
>[log in to unmask]
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 14:39:24 -0500
>From:    Anne Andrianos <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Thyroid question
>
>Back in Oct. I posted a message re: a mother experiencing a hyperthyroid
>crisis.  She was losing 1# per day, racing heart rate, elevated blood
>levels.  Was beginning to wean for treatment.  Then, a reversal started.
>A brief period of normal values and feeling well, milk supply which had
>dipped, was returning.  But now is in a hypothyroid condition. She is
>receiving replacement hormone. but is having difficulty getting the dose
>right. With one dosage (1.25mg.  synthyroid she's symptomatic, with 1.50
>she's hyper...etc.) The question she asked...does the fact that she is
>lactating make controlling her condition more difficult? Her baby is 7
>mos. on some solids, but still nurses a lot. She feels that since
>lactation is the normal condition for a woman 7 mos post partum, that
>BFing is not complicating her treatment, but requests some other
>opinions.  Her MD's have spoken with R. Lawrence when she was
>hyperthyroid, I suggested a 2nd consult. TIA, Anne Andrianos
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 15:04:35 -0500
>From:    pat Bull <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: 5%- insufficient milk
>
>Sorry Jan or Marsha if you have already responded to this issue.  I am still
>60 messages behind.
>
>Marsha Walker and I were talking in FL. about this issue and she brought up a
>good point.  Many insufficient articles talk about the mothers BF, but what
>do they mean by breastfeeding mothers?  Putting the baby to the breast once?
>twice? every hr.?  etc.  Of course some of these mothers claimed to be
>breastfeeders have insufficient milk.  All due to mismanagement.  We have to
>be careful with where some of this research comes from.
>
>Pat Bull, RN, IBCLC
>>From Chicago where it has dropped to -20=cooooold!
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 15:52:56 -0500
>From:    M Kennedy <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Information on LAM
>
>Please post 1 page hand out on LAM on Lactnet.
>
>Thanks, M. Kennedy
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 16:04:12 -0500
>From:    "Natalie Shenk, BS IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: slow gain baby
>
>Denise,
>Thanks again for the update.  I look forward to hearing chiropracter's
>report.
>
>A question I have is, Can a receding chin affect bottle-feeding this much?
> Baby was having trouble with both.  Curious why baby had to be weaned to the
>bottle...or is a different bottle style & nipple helping?
>
>I'm glad mom has found a way to enjoy comforting baby at breast and to get a
>little taste of that closeness.
>
>Natalie Shenk
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 16:06:24 EST
>From:    Duncan Broadfoot <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: witch milk
>
>My son claims I got a message re the above - but it has disappeared.  Could the
>sender please re-post?
>
>TIA
>
>Mary Broadfoot, Paisley, Scotland
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 15:13:09 -0600
>From:    "Debra J. Salings" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: WIC Again
>
>        I agree that wIC is at least trying to promote breastfeeding and
>that you can't make someone learn about breastfeeding if they don't want
>to hear it.
>        However, I disagree with the fact that they are (at least in
>Missouri) advocating starting cereal in exclusively breastfed infants at
>4 months and starting vegetables at 5 months...this is what they are
>teaching.
>        I have had a lengthy discussion about this with one of the
>nutritionists at our local WIC office; but again, you can't make someone
>learn if they don't want to listen...the position taken is that iron
>stores are depleted at 4 months and must be supplemented with cereal or
>iron-fortified formula.
>        We need to have a program that not only gives lip service to
>promoting breastfeeding but gives the correct information as well.  I was
>told that breastffeding up to one year of age is "highly unusual" and
>that an infant should be 'weaned to a cup' by then.
>        I was looking forward to becoming a peer breastfeeding counselor,
>but I am not sure if I can hold my tongue with these attitudes!
>        Maybe I just need to cool down a bit...
>
>------------------------------
>
>Date:    Fri, 19 Jan 1996 16:19:28 -0500
>From:    Sue Jacoby <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: receding chin?
>
>Denise's slow gaining baby story raises a recurring questions for me. << Baby
>has seen an OT who felt that her receding chin was the problem and was pretty
>furious that the baby hadn't been sent to her sooner.  Within a day of her
>initial evaluation, etc, the mother received a call from pediatrician and OT
>that the baby needed to be weaned to a bottle immediately.>>>
>
>My question is:  how likely is it that a *receding chin* would cause
>breastfeeding problems?  I was always led to believe that babies have
>receding chins on purpose, so they can get up close to the breast.  Now, I
>HAVE heard one LC talk about jaws that don't line up, so to speak, so that
>the jaws don't effectively compress the sinuses.  How much of a connection is
>there between receding chins and jaw compression issues?  Does anyone have
>anything to say about assessing jaw alignment?  This is unfamiliar territory
>for me.  TIA Sue Jacoby, IBCLC & LLLL suejacoby@AOL
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of LACTNET Digest - 19 Jan 1996 - Special issue
>***************************************************
>
>
Lynda Millman
Stephen J. Millman, M.D.
Fellow, American Academy of Child
 and Adolescent Psychiatry
PO Box 3516
La Mesa, CA 91944-3516
Fax 619-589-6971
    619 469-2088

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