by Ron Busby

Created on: July 23, 2008

I guess because of my heart condition which has rendered me disabled for 9 years now, and having to take about 11 different prescriptions. Because some of the drugs I have to take, by simply taking an over the counter cold medicine that has a decongestant in it can be fatal, I double check with both the doctor and then again with my pharmacists.

Also knowing that medicine can be passed to an infant through the mothers' breast milk I personally think that 2 or 3 different opinions are reasonable. We are after all are talking about possibly endangering the health of your child. They are so dependant on us to make sure everything we do will not harm them in any way. A child's immune system continues to get stronger as they get older. It is at this critical infant stage in the development of our children the responsible thing to do is really to be overly vigilant.

They are so delicate and resilient at the same time. One has to understand that medicine, for all its benefits in saving lives, is still man made. God, or if you prefer, nature, did not make chemical compounds to fight diseases. Therefore I am strongly mindful to be on the side of caution. What is the old saying, "better safe than sorry"? In this case I consider that not only sound advice, but bordering on brilliant.

I do believe that medicines and the advancements man has made in the prescription drug industry have done a wonderful job developing useful medicines. The area of concern is that one has to proceed with caution. Knowing that medicines get into the mothers' breast milk it can be a bit overwhelming for a first time mother. You try so hard to raise a happy healthy baby, if a doctor prescribes some medicine for you while breast feeding, you should check if not double check, to make sure that it will not have any adverse effects on your baby.

Lets face it people we have plenty to worry about raising children in today's world. Don't be lackadaisical about trusting that the doctor, automatically gives you a prescription that will not harm your child. There can be a fine line between being cautious, and neurotic, but there is nothing wrong with talking to your pharmacist about the possible interactions.
They really don't mind answering the questions and have on occasion been able to find that a possible interaction could occur; they will talk to the doctor and suggest some other medicine that will treat your symptoms while not being a possible danger of interacting with your child.

A pharmacist knows as much about chemistry as most doctors. That is why they go to college for so long. If you are given a prescription by your doctor, the first question should be, "I am breast feeding and will this drug have any adverse effects on my baby?" That is just good parenting; after all that is your job as a parent. Not to mention you fell in love with that child as soon as you looked into the baby's eyes and they smiled. I know I feel deeply in love with each of my 3 as soon as I laid eyes on them.

Because of that love, that parental and child bond, we must do everything in our power to protect them. The doctors truly do not mind the question, and your pharmacist is there to make sure you are not taking any drugs that would interact with other medicines. It is also advisable to do business with one drug store, so your entire history is all in one place. This is just common sense folks. If it were my child I would ask, and have asked, all these questions many times. The only stupid question that there is, is the one you do not ask. Take care of that child because our children are the future. With the world changing so rapidly these days it is best to proceed with caution.

Learn more about this author, Ron Busby.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.