How to Manage Crohn's Disease During Pregnancy

by Deborah Pardo-Kaplan

Breastfeeding on Crohn's Medications

Doctors consent to breastfeeding for Crohn's patients taking 5-ASA's and prednisone. Light did not breastfeed her baby while on 6-MP, as doctors disagree on side effects.

"I really draw the line at immunomodulators (6-MP/Imuran)," says Dr. Kim Isaacs, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, about breastfeeding during a CCFA medical lecture. While Dr. Isaacs believes in controlling the mother's disease with medications during pregnancy, she says they do not benefit the child during breastfeeding.

"People bring up the bonding issues with breastfeeding," Dr. Isaacs says. "But I'd rather have a healthy, safe baby."

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