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I'm prescribed 5mg of Focalin for my ADD/ADHD. I am breastfeeding our 1 month old, approx. 10 lbs. My pediatrician said I should take it right before nursing, and then by the next feeding (2-3 hours later) it should be fine to nurse. However, my doctor said I should take it right after nursing, pump & dump 2-3 hours later & feed with prepumped breastmilk, and then it should be fine to nurse at the next feeding. Which is it?
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Hi, thanks for your post.
Focalin is safe enough that you could do either one. Less than 1% of what you take makes it to the baby anyway. If you pump and dump, you reduce the medication in the breastmilk by 30-50%. Whichever you choose to do, watch your child for agitation, insomnia, and poor weight gain. In the absence of these symptoms, you can consider the medication safe for your situation; there are no "hidden" dangers of ADHD meds that we know of. If your child does have symptoms, pump-and-dump should be the first solution to the problem, followed by extending the waiting period out to 4-5 hours if that doesn't work.
Please call us at the InfantRisk Center if this has not completely answered your question.*(806)352-2519
-James Abbey, MD
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