Breastfeeding and Medications

Clients often call with questions like this:“I have a cold, what can I take for the congestion”
“I have a bladder infection, do I need to pump and dump while I am taking the antibiotics”
“I had gallbladder surgery yesterday and I am on pain medication, is it ok for the baby?”
These are just a few examples.

Everything you ingest has the potential to make it to baby while you are lactating. It is always wise to consult with a lactation consultant before taking any medicine: over the counter or prescription.
Unfortunately, doctors do not always take the time to access the proper medication resource specific to lactation : Dr. Thomas Hale’s” Medications and Mother’s Milk”. This is a priceless resource that will assign risk levels to most known medication in relationship to the breastfeeding couplet.
Buy online access to this book by clicking on the computer icon below:

In other words, it will tell you if it is safe or not. No, the normal drug books are not adequate in this area. And quite often, doctors will respond with the horrible” just pump and dump until you are finished with the medication”, not because that is the best advice but because they do not know or do not want to take the time to research. Sad but true.

Click here to submit a medication question for me. Do you need to stop breastfeeding if you are sick with a cold or virus? Absolutely not. Your breastmilk provides defenses to baby against the illness. If you discontinue nursing, those defenses are not administered. Breastfeeding through illness is in most cases the BEST thing you can do for your baby.

There are very few illnesses that require mom’s to discontinue breastfeeding. With proper support and encouragement, breast feeding can go uninterrupted, which is in the best interest of the baby. Unless mom wishes to wean, we as health care providers should work to keep breastfeeding intact through maternal illness

Have a Comment or Question?

Do you have a comment or question? Share it!

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Back from Breastfeeding and Medications to first 2 weeks

Back from Breastfeeding and Medications to askthelactationconsultant.com