Got a breastfeeding/ lactation question?

Write to: LC Doris Fok c/o Q&A Lactation, MotherNeeds, 141 Lentor Street, Singapore 786838, or fax us at 6456-0031, or email info@motherneeds.com with "Ask LC Doris" as your subject heading.

Doris will select 2 letters to be answered every month. Selected letters published here win a $12 gift certificate for purchases at our MotherNeeds online store.

Copyright © 2004

Question 1:
Dear Doris,

I am expecting my fourth baby. When I was expecting my third baby, I developed nipple eczema. It went away after my first trimester but came back when my baby was 6 months old. It has not gone away since then.

I still have it (though hydrocortisone cream controls the symptoms) and am dreading the painful bleeding while nursing this baby, similar to the experience I had the last time. What can I do? Is there a solution to this problem aside from applying hydrocortisone cream? Thank you.

Best regards,
Angela Coffman
USA

Answer 1:
Dear Angela,
Congratulations on having a fourth baby. It is so unfortunate to have nipple eczema. Do you have any family history of allergy or asthma? This will help determine whether your condition is strictly related to breastfeeding or to the wet-dry-wet stress of breastfeeding.

Eczema may develop when your baby starts on semi-solids , so food could also act as an allergen on your nipple. You will still need to see a dermatologist to get proper treatment as this is a medical condition.

Doris Fok

Question 2:
Dear Doris,

I have been fully breastfeeding my child for 5 months now. However, I had to stop breastfeeding for 2 weeks as I had to undergo a 4-week diet program which consisted of exercise, diet & slimming pills to achieve my healthy weight range. Before I started the program, I had expressed out 1 month's supply of breast milk for my son. As of now, I am half way through the diet program and am still very keen on breastfeeding after its completion.

I would like to know when is it safe to continue breastfeeding? How long does the body take to flush out the traces of the slimming pills, for it to be safe to breastfeed again? I have been expressing my breastmilk regularly to maintain my supply. Thank you.

Best regards,
Leni

Answer 2:
Dear Leni,

I would like to applaud you for breastfeeding for 5 months already. We discourage breastfeeding mothers from dieting to slim down, but instead slim down gradually and naturally with proper guidance without slimming pills. I would recommend you to see a dietician to get proper guidance on slimming down. You can use breastfeeding to help you slim down too.

When can you flush out the slimming pills from your system? Well, that depends on what slimming pills you are taking. There is not much in the literature that we know of about the compounds in the slimming pills.

I hope you would reconsider your decision to use slimming pills and give your child more breastmilk first and consider slimming down when your child is older, unless you have health issues. All the best to you.

Doris Fok

*We regret that only 2 letters will be answered by Doris every month.

Neither the information nor any opinion expressed constitutes a medical consultation or prescription or treatment of a medical or health condition. This column is prepared for general viewing and is published for general information only. It does not have regard to the specific medical or health condition, and the particular needs of any specific person who may receive this information. Persons needing medical attention should seek advice from his/her healthcare practitioner regarding the appropriateness of information discussed or recommended in this column. Should you have a pressing question or issue concerning your medical or health condition, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

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