To wean or not to wean

That is the question of the week. Here is a little recap of the situation and a little history behind my hesitation.

Last week at my Drs appointment I was give a prescription for a drug called Xifaxan. All my Drs know I am breastfeeding and know how important it is for me to continue. But I always run new meds by my Pediatrician first to make sure she is OK with it.

History: Alexander and I didn't get off on the right foot, or should I say boob, in the beginning. He had some latch problems, but once we got home, we got it all figured out and since then hes hooked. A few weeks after, my Hematologist tells me that I have to stop because of my new meds. I was heartbroken and angry. We had just settled in to the whole thing and now he tells me I have to stop. So I went out, bought some bottles and formula....Alex protested. He hated it. So much to the point that my Mother in Law would have to feed him, because if I had him he would snuggle into my breast and cry his little heart out. Go figure two weeks later at his next check up, Dr. B ask how the breastfeeding is going. I about broke down in tears. When I told her what happened, she told me, that my meds were perfectly compatible with breastfeeding and even showed me in her manual. We spent the next few weeks getting back on the breast and for the most part its been smooth sailing from there. A few times after MRI and surgeries, he has had a bottle, but not one bottle in the last 7 months. And now this.

When I called Dr B about the new meds, the nurse called me back and said that there wasn't much she could find on Xifaxan and so she recommended I stop breastfeeding. I of course was thrown because I checked with my prescribing Dr and the pharmacist and both said it was OK. I also looked it up on Dr. Hales forums and he said the benefits out weigh the risk. I am so torn on what to do.

I don't want to have to give up our special bonding time if I don't have to, but I'm starting to get discouraged. If I do have to stop then fine, but I want to make sure it is my only option. And honestly, Alex has shown no signs of wanted to wean. He nurses morning and night. Sometimes during his noon nap. So its not like he is at it all day. The only other time he nurses more often is if he gets hurt or is sick. I don't want to do anything that will cause him harm, but I don't want to do something that will break both of our hearts if its avoidable.

And for the record. Yes he just turned on. I know a lot of people have a thing about breastfeeding past the age of one or at all. I don't have anything against formula. My first son was formula fed. But I have also seen the benefits of breastfeeding over formula. So what would you do? Please let me know what you think! I wish there was just a cut and dry answer here.

Here are two links from Dr Hales site where he talks about Xifaxan. Although the reason for taking them isnt the same as mine, what do you think?

Xifaxan (rifaximin)

Xifaxan