My infant is temporarily on Similac Advance Soy formula while I take a medication. I noticed that by her neck and ears she smells fishy. Could this be from the soy? Or from something in the formula? I saw something online about DHA having a fishy smell. Anyone else have this problem? I never noticed the odor while breastfeeding her. I wash her everyday, but the odor remains. I also had her checked for an ear infection and she doesn't have one. Any ideas?
2007-03-23 09:28:43 · 4 answers · asked by tiredbutwiredlove 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The medication I am taking is Flagyl. I am taking 1500 mg per day for 3 weeks. It is for a flare-up of my Crohn's. Actually my GI doc said it was fine to take it while breastfeeding and the pediatrician too, but the pharmacist freaked on me when I got the Flagyl. She questioned me about why I was taking such a high dose for such a long time. Then told me I should not breastfeed while taking it. I told her the doc ok'd it and she said she wouldn't if it were her. That made me feel bad. I would feel so guilty if it were to harm her in any way. That's why I wanted to go on formula. We chose Soy to rule out a milk allergy also - because she has eczema. I
2007-03-23 09:45:06 · update #1
My sons been fed exclusively with soy since he was about 2 weeks old and has never had an odor. Hes been on goodstart supreme, similac, and enfamil and have never noticed it with any of them. It definitely sounds as if it could be an infection, if your doc rules out an infection, then try switching to enfamil prosobee. I dont recommend the goodstart, my son had issues with it and many others ive spoke with whos children were on it also had issues with spitting up.
Dont feel guilty over not feeding him your breast milk for this period of time, its your right to be concerned about a medication in your system. Thats what made me quit breastfeeding, unfourtunatly the meds I had to take also made my milk dry up much quicker. Do what you think is best mom.
2007-03-23 17:29:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jessica J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dr. Thomas Hale is *THE* expert on medications and breastfeeding. Why was the pharmacist so freaked out? The PDR and the package inserts (what the pharmacist most likely gets info from) are NOT good sources for info on drugs and breastfeeding.
Flagyl is listed in Thomas Hale's book "Medications & Mother's Milk" as a L2 (Lactation Risk Category 2 - safer). The categories are L1-L5, with 1 being safest and 5 being a big no-no.
Hale lists no pediatric concerns for this drug.
Evidently flagyl is even given to pediatric patients!
Flagyl is listed in Thomas Hale's book "Medications & Mother's Milk" as a L2 (Lactation Risk Category 2 - safer). The categories are L1-L5, with 1 being safest and 5 being a big no-no.
Hale lists no pediatric concerns for this drug.
From his website:
http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/40/213.html?1171383856
From
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/09a-drugs_and_bf.html
The following are a few commonly used drugs considered safe during breastfeeding:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tempra), alcohol (in reasonable amounts), aspirin (in usual doses, for short periods). Most antiepileptic medications, most antihypertensive medications, tetracycline, codeine, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen), prednisone, thyroxin, propylthiourocil (PTU), warfarin, tricyclic antidepressants, sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), other antidepressants, *****metronidazole (Flagyl)*****, omperazole (Losec), Nix, Kwellada.
With Flagyl being a L2, that means it's pretty darn safe to take. *THE* expert on medications & breastfeeding has declared that this is safe to take. I'd take his word over a pharmacist.
Discontinue the formula and start nursing again.
ALSO.....
Call Motherisk's Home Line - (416) 813-6780 for even more info.
Call a La Leche League Leader or a Lactation Consultant so you can get a photocopy of Hale's book pages to share with the pharmacist.
2007-03-23 17:04:39 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the medication you are taking? Did you research its safty yourself? Alot of doctors don't know jack about breastfeeding.
As for the fishy smell... not sure, never heard of it. DHA has a fishy smell when its coming from a fish oil... but i seriously doubt the DHA they put in formula is of that quality... it is probably synthetic.
Why is she on soy? If you don't mind...
ETA: Nevermind... i got nosey! So, the meds youre on are relatively safe while nursing, but you want to try and rule out a dairy allergy for your babes eczema?
I think you would have better results simply eliminating the dairy from your own diet. Swicthing to formula can do some funny things to babies... heck, starting with formula can do funny things!
I can understand not wanting to expose her to the meds youre taking (and i commend you for the dedication to pump to keep your supply up!) But, you will get better results when it comes to the eczema by changing your diet.
I always heard that formula fed babies smelled funny! Maybe the fish smell is normal?
2nd: I would, personally, trust both the doctors... The pharmacist may have freaked out because its not on the AAP's "approved" list... but your doctors probably did some more research about it. But 1500mg does seem to be alot... I can only find info about a mom taking 500mg... well, you've only got 2 weeks left, right?
2007-03-23 09:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is on Similiac Advance Soy and she has never smelled fishy. The only smell I notice is that I think she smells like potatoes. And thats from the formula. Smell it and see if thats what you are smelling.
2007-03-23 09:58:12 · answer #4 · answered by ktbblb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my son was a baby, he had a smell like that and come to find out it was, an ear infection. Get closer to her ear and see if that isn't where the smell is coming from.
2007-03-23 09:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by todayillsee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋