K.P., Virginia

I am writing this story about my experience with ulcerative colitis and breastfeeding/parenting. It is not a glamorous disease, but there may be a nursing parent reading this who is wondering how they’ll be able to manage their condition and still breastfeed. Or perhaps you are reading this as someone who supports a breastfeeding parent with chronic illness. I don’t have all the answers, but I hope my story helps you feel less alone.

The week I found out I was pregnant with my second child was also the week I started showing symptoms. The pregnancy was difficult. I lost weight and ran to the bathroom so many times a day. I was in pain often. I struggled to stay hydrated and felt exhausted, especially while parenting my older child who was still nursing through the pregnancy. My symptoms continued after delivery, and I knew something was wrong.

After figuring out newborn breastfeeding difficulties with my son and surviving the first part of a global pandemic, I had a colonoscopy. My doctor came out as I was waking up and told me that I had ulcerative colitis. My partner took notes as my doctor described how treatment would work. Special diets, testing, and medication options the doctor mentioned felt overwhelming to me. Eventually, after coming to terms with the diagnosis, I made it work and successfully breastfed my son until he was three years old while working toward remission.

Every day is different, and some days are better than others. I have a few tips that have helped me manage my wellness along the way, especially while parenting and breastfeeding. I imagine that a lot of breastfeeding parents with any kind of chronic illness could use these tips, not just those with ulcerative colitis.

1. Advocate for yourself and prioritize your breastfeeding relationship. You are the expert on your health and your family; your breastfeeding goals matter. Assemble a knowledgeable team of health care providers who will support you in your health and your breastfeeding journey.
2. Utilize breastfeeding friendly resources such as La Leche League when researching treatment options. Many diagnostic tests, procedures, imaging, anesthesia, and medications can be done/used safely while breastfeeding! Always check before interrupting breastfeeding to ensure you are given accurate guidance.
3. Hydrate and nourish! All parents need to take care of themselves while nursing, of course. But as a parent with chronic illness, it is especially important to make sure your own physical needs are taken care of. Sometimes a special diet is indicated with ulcerative colitis to reduce inflammation. Sometimes a parent may struggle to stay hydrated and nourished when feeling symptomatic. Breastfeeding burns additional calories too, so it is important to be mindful of making sure you take in the foods that fuel your body while minimizing symptoms that come from trigger foods. It may be useful to support your body by drinking plenty of extra fluids, too.
4. Give yourself grace and have a plan for days when you are unwell. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Some days you may feel great, but during a flare you may have pain or fatigue and need to rest and rely on support. It is okay! Taking care of yourself with chronic illness and small children is not an easy feat. Develop a plan for what you’ll do during a flare. Think about who your flare support team is and what tasks they can take off your plate so you can focus most of your energy on wellness and nursing your child. Consider setting yourself up with baby and all the supplies you may need (diapers, wipes, change of clothes, lots of flare friendly snacks and fluids) and having a napping and nursing day together! Side lying nursing can be useful to keep the pressure off the abdomen, which can be painful during a flare.
5. Self-care was absolutely essential to me. Chronic illness takes a huge toll on mental health, too. Reflect on your feelings about breastfeeding, parenthood, your illness, and changes to your life. Talk about them with your loved ones and consider therapy if you need more support.

I hope this helps a little and that you find your own tips along the way to support yourself while breastfeeding through chronic illness.

Please send your story ideas to Amy at [email protected].

Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

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