Breastfeeding and Metformin

Shellypeters · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2005, 08:06 PM

Does anyone here take Met and BF?

I need to take met to get pregnant (PCOS) I am still nursing my 18 month old. We are looking to TTC #2 MY DR said its fine but in big bold letters everything I see says-

Metformin passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take metformin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Is this ok? Im really nervous! Thanks

Mom2Thaddeus · #2 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 07:17 AM

I can't be any help on this subject as I don't BF. I would say that if your doctor feels it's ok to take then it should be, but I personally wouldn't chance it. Metformin can have major effects on your liver and kidneys and if you are BF then I would think that the same problems could occur in your child. Just my opinion.

MommyinDec04 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 08:28 AM

I was told not to take it and breastfeed. My doctor said most likely everything would be fine but she didn't want me to take that risk. If your doctor says it's ok then maybe it's ok. My doctor just didn't think so. They're all different.

Shellypeters · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2005, 11:34 AM

wow Im even more confused! What makes it different from taking it while in the womb to out of the womb? also I was wondering if I nursed in the morning then took the pill and then didnt nurse her till nighttime(about 9 hrs aprt) How much would still or could be in my BMilk? HHMMM No one seems to have any answers... Thanks though for your replies.

marissa's mommy · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2005, 07:50 AM

Hi there. I took glucophage to get pregnant and then stopped taking it at 12 weeks. When I delivered my son, I started taking it again to help with my milk production for breastfeeding. I discussed this in great length with both my ob and pediatrician. It is becoming more known that what actually does pass to the child through your milk is a very small amount. I don't remember the numbers off hand but it is well under the limits set for ok'd meds to take while bf. What does get into the child's system is usually broken down by stomach acids before it can be ingested into their system. I was told to watch for any sign that it could be affecting my child's blood sugar. I think you will be okay but do some web research. There is more current info out there to be seen. Doctors aren't really up on the current info so you may need to present it to them. My pedi did a search of his own after I brought it to his attention and found that it is now safe to use. Good luck.

Shellypeters · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2005, 05:49 PM

thank you! very good to know!!!

katztoy · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2005, 08:58 PM

I as well took Met while BFing. In my case, my Ob said the benefit for me outweighted the risk. He as well told me that very little passes through breast milk, however some does so I as well had to watch for signs of low blood sugar with Elizabeth. I think it's a personal choice.. If I didn't need it to keep my Sugar stable I probably wouldn't take it. but on that same note.. if I didn't need it to get pregnant I wouldn't take it either. So I choose to take it in both cases.

Shellypeters · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2005, 08:09 PM

thaNK YOU I still cant make up my mind on what to do

snickers · #9 (**permalink**) 12-07-2005, 09:49 PM

Former member lurking....I did not take it while bf. My twins were preemies and are still pretty low in weight and I had 2 dr's tell me it probably wasn't a good idea. Hope you find what works for you!

colleen in nw · #10 (**permalink**) 12-18-2005, 01:25 AM

HI THERE! CD buddy

my specialists works at teaching university (obgyn) and also another dr (endro) both were againist me taking Metformin while Bfing... while dd's ped dr says it's safe. I wanted to TTC #2 because how long it took me to do first baby.. (too long) so I was told if I want to TTC again with metformin I had to wean my daughter

I did and somedays I wish I didn't I miss the "relationship bond" with dd and hope to do more research for next baby and TTC #3 while bfing.

maybe they can give you a RX for a lower dosage while Bfing?? Lower the chance of things passed in breastmilk.

FYI I heard bfing while pregnant is painful for many people and few had to do quick weaning because they couldn't stand the pain of the nipples being latched on ..

good luck with your decision. Again i would recommend you getting ahold of LLL leader in your area for more advice ... I wish I did more research than doing weaning to keep up with my cycles. Without doing my own homework first! Because I did some research after I weaned and found that theres several resources on website saying it's safe to bf while on Metformin and got upset reading and emailed my doctor the links and she told me to "stop" and doesn't want that kind of relatinship with me via email and that we can discuss this further at a dr appt than through emails. grr ... I was baffled and still had milk while on metformin so tried to encourage dd to bf again she lost interest after a minute.. so I'm bummed about the outcome of this... can't do anything about it now.

The strange thing is that obgyn and endro doctor says it's SAFE to take Clomid while bfing .. so I was on two cycles 150mg and 200mg each time and didn't O'd (only bfing 1x day (afternoonish)... since I got on Metformin and clomid after weaning.. I did O on the very first cycle on the combo. Now in 2WW and see see