Lactation experts answer some queries of breastfeeding mothers. Here are some real-time breastfeeding questions on dental work, implants and more, which were answered by experts. Experts include Danielle Downs Spradlin, owner of Oasis Lactation Services and a certified lactation counselor, and Justine Anderson and Pamela Howard, both lactation consultants in a pediatrician's office. Here's what they said.
One mother had just given birth last October and had been breastfeeding. However, she got sick and must take steroids. The doctor told her to stop breastfeeding for seven days, and so she pumped. Now she asked: Will it be too difficult to breastfeed after taking steroids?
Spradlin said to Romper: Many steroids are compatible with breastfeeding and it is very uncommon that treatment is incompatible with breastfeeding for a fixed number of days. In having the baby latch back, Spradlin said that it is very essential to make a plentiful skin-to-skin contact as possible, including co-bathing.
Another pregnant mom who had her breast augmentation around eight years ago wanted to know if it will intervene with breastfeeding. The mom is now 13-weeks pregnant.
"There are no scientific studies to show that breast implants have any effect on breastfeeding," Pregnancy & Baby quoted Craig A. Vander Kolk, MD, Professor of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins, as saying. Spradlin says breast reductions are more possibly to cause difficulties on milk production than breast implants are, however, breast implants place pressure on breast and can trigger milk to emit more forcefully. She advised to work on with a lactation expert beginning the birth to have an intense latch to empty the breast completely.
A mom of 4-months-old baby asked if pulling her painful wisdom tooth will affect her breastfeeding. She has been in great pain because of her wisdom tooth, and she has to see a dentist to have it pulled. However, she's afraid it will affect her breastfeeding of her 4-months-old baby.
Howard says it is OK for her to breastfeed as soon as she is awake from the surgery and ready to do so. She advised the mom to talk to her dentist about pain reliever that's compatible with breastfeeding as most pain medications are. Howard also recommends pumping if the mom wants to have more rest after the surgery and would rather have the baby a bottle than her breast.
Lastly, experts advised breastfeeding moms to not to worry too much as it can harm their milk supply. Overall, they suggest new and seasonal breastfeeding moms work with a lactation counselor or breastfeeding group in their place so that they can have support and some help from people who know and understand breastfeeding well.
