I have nver found an easy way to pill a cat. I just hold them close, open the mouth, and push it down the throat. Then hold the mouth closed and gently stroke the neck to induce a swallow. Later, I find the pill in the cat's fur, on the table, on the sofa. The trick is not to get bit while you are working on the mouth.

Several folks on here have used pill pockets. You can get them at PetCo, PetSmart (I don't know which is close for you). You can see what they are here:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod...=10#resultBody

Vita is prone to URI, and never gets over it without the meds. It is Clavamox, and it has an odor to it, so the pet knows right away there is something yucky coming. (I had to give it to Sugar after her cataract surgery 2 weeks ago, as well.) For the dog, I put pills in peanut butter. Doesn't work for Clavamox, does fine with all the other stuff.

Don't know about a nursing mom, can't respond to that part of your question.