Breastfeeding with cirrhosis

[andreaellis]

Hi everyone, this is my first post as I’ve only just found this group & recently been diagnosed with cirrhosis. I am a mum to a very lively 2.5yr old toddler & we are still breastfeeding. I was hoping to do natural term weaning when he’s ready but I am trying to help him along with it a bit now just waiting for his last molars to fully cut through.

My question is, is there anybody else breastfeeding with cirrhosis or anybody know if there are any needs to stop with cirrhosis, as I know breast milk is a blood product. I have asked our local bump to breast group, the breastfeeding & drugs network & our gp. No one knows though! Everyone has said they don’t think it’s an issue, I’m just wondering if anyone knows more?

Many thanks, Andrea & Arlo ☺️

[Wass71]

I don't know for sure, however thinking logically, the liver removes toxins from the body, if its not able to do that, the breast milk could have higher levels of things normally filtered from the system.

I had gallstone pancreatitis when my first son was 6-8 weeks old, we noticed that when I was in a lot of pain stans stools were very green (not nice bresatmilk yellow), the Dr said it was high levels of bile salts in the blood due to blocked common bile duct. I continued BF, and refused to stop even when I was 5 days nil by mouth, as he was so young, and the idea of artifical milk was not something I wanted to expose him too.

Personally I'd say ay 2 1/2 your child isn't needed your milk for nutrition, and is much more a comfort thing, as such not sure I'd risk it. However that is my personal view I appreciate you may feel its important to you.

Stay well, best wishes

XWassX

[andreaellis in reply to Wass71]

Thank you Wass71 for your help, it’s good to hear someone else’s experience & im glad you managed to continue what sounds like a really hard time for you.

Many thanks & Happy Christmas :0)

[Hidden]

Good morning andreaellis,

Welcome to this friendly forum.

May I suggest you contact your liver specialist team and/or obs and gynae team?

This is not a common situation and I am sure they will both be interested to help advise.

I would also be keen to hear what their response is !

Sorry I can't help further.

Best wishes and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Trust9

[andreaellis in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Trust9, yes I have asked my new liver consultant but he said he wasn’t sure but couldn’t see why not. I haven’t asked to talk to anyone in gynae I’ll give that a try. I’ve found the details of a lactation consultant near us so will write to them after Christmas too.

Many thanks & Merry Christmas:0)

[Cobwebs in reply to andreaellis]

I don’t see why not unless the meds affect the milk. I would have fed mine forever. It is your comfort too. Nothing quite as wonderful as a babe at your breast. And I only say that as a natural but not opinionated mother. Yes, check with the meds but enjoy every precious moment.👶

[andreaellis in reply to Cobwebs]

Thank you cobwebs, yes we’ve had a very easy enjoyable breastfeeding journey & I agree & am happy with him still feeding for comfort, as well as all the nutritional benefits it still has for toddlers. Boobs are the original dummies been calming little people since the dawn of time 👍🏻☺️ I haven’t started any meds yet, only just found out from an MRI recently & just waiting for biopsy results to come back hopefully with a cause & then I guess they’ll start me on the meds. for it. It just occurred to me breast milk is a blood product & I’ve just been trying to find an answer to make sure it’s ok since finding out. Thank you for your response, I feel the same I can’t see why not too, I’ll get in contact with the lactation consultant near us to dbl check.

Marry Christmas 🥳