by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: July 20, 2008

My nursing daughter was only two weeks old when the doctor said I needed to take prescription drugs to lower my dangerously high blood pressure. He called a colleague who recommended I stop breastfeeding immediately.

I burst into tears and ran from the office. My husband followed me and we walked outside for a while. I finally controlled my tears enough to discuss how we would handle this attempt to take away this most previous of gifts I was giving my daughter.

My doctor immediately made another phone call and found a pediatrician who recommended a specific medication which would allow me to continue breastfeeding while addressing the serious risk to my health.

That turned out well, didn't it? For me, it did and I'm so grateful that my husband and I had the courage to challenge the doctor. Some parents still think of doctors as omniscient, all-knowing, godlike being. I know I used to, once upon a time. I've since learned that doctors are only as knowledgeable as their training and their intuition has enabled them to be.

An excellent doctor will go one, two or three steps beyond simply telling you what to do. He or she will read up on the latest research and findings in your particular situation. He or she will gladly consult with one or two other physicians, including those with expertise in fields with which he is less familiar. Pediatricians also have access to the latest recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs (COD).

Whether you have been on a prescription drug since before your pregnancy, had one prescribed immediately after delivery, or find it's become a necessity sometime later when you're still breastfeeding your little one, it's important to find out how the medication will, or may, affect your little one. Any medication you ingest will go through your system and will be transmitted into your child's system via the breast milk.

What do you need to consider when seeking information on a prescription drug and possible adverse effects on your baby? Find out exactly what medication and in what doses. How often will you be taking the medication and for how long a period of time?
Has research been done on the drugs effect on a nursing baby?

Would you consider taking a break from nursing if you'll be taking the drug for only a short time such as following surgery? You could pump your breast milk and freeze it for baby's consumption while you are taking a short-term medication. Be sure to ask how long the drug will remain in your

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