Beverley:  You are right.  There is very little literature on management
of the nursing mother with asthma.  I thought asthma meds had been
discussed some time ago, but I couldn't find it in my files.  It would
seem that vanceril is an unlikely problem, as it is an inhaled steroid
with minimal absorption into the mother's bloodstream, and even oral
prednisone, which has much higher blood levels of steroid, is compatible
with breastfeeding.  As for albuterol (those outside the USA will know it
as salbutamol), I'll try to locate my currently
misplaced copy of Dr. Hale's book to see if he mentioned it.  I seem to
remember case reports that showed no adverse effects, but don't quote
me.  Again, I find it interesting that doctors will allow a drug to be
used during pregnancy but not during lactation.  The rationale during
pregnancy is that although albuterol is a potential risk to the fetus,
uncontrolled asthma probably poses an even greater risk to its
development.  Although this is no longer an issue during lactation, the
potential adverse effects are probably less anyway, especially in an
older infant.  Alicia.  [log in to unmask]