Patient education: Medicines and breastfeeding (The Basics)

Will the medicines I take affect my baby? — Most medicines are safe to take while you are breastfeeding. The amount that gets into the breast milk is usually very small and not harmful for a breastfeeding baby. But some medicines are not safe to take while breastfeeding. In that case, you might need to stop taking the medicine or switch to a different one.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for both you and your baby. If you need to take medicine for some reason, it is usually possible to continue breastfeeding, but it is important to talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure. In some cases, they might recommend switching to a different medicine while you are breastfeeding. In other cases, you might be able to plan your breastfeeding for times when there is less of the medicine in your system.

It can also help to work with a lactation consultant (breastfeeding expert). Your doctor, nurse, or lactation consultant can give you information based on your situation.

Can the medicines I take affect my milk supply? — There are a few medicines that can affect your supply. This means that they can cause your body to make less breast milk. But most medicines do not affect supply.

What should I know about specific medicines and breastfeeding? — Lots of medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. But this will depend on the specific medicine you take and the dose you need. It might also depend on your baby's age, weight, and health.

Some things you should know:

●If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor, nurse, or lactation consultant if you plan to breastfeed. They can tell you if the medicine is OK to keep taking. In some cases, they might suggest switching to a different medicine while you are breastfeeding. Do not stop taking any medicines suddenly without your doctor's approval.

●If there is a new medicine you want to use, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you can take it while breastfeeding. Read all labels carefully. Never take more than the recommended dose.

●If any doctor prescribes a medicine for you, tell them that you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

●Newborns and babies that were born early (premature) are more likely to be affected by medicines than older babies.

The table includes some common categories of medicines with information about breastfeeding (table 1). This is not a full list of every medicine, so it's always best to talk to your doctor.

What are my options if I need to temporarily stop breastfeeding? — In some cases, a person needs to take medicine that is not safe for a breastfeeding baby. An example of this is chemotherapy for cancer treatment. If you need to take one of these medicines, you might choose to:

●Plan ahead by pumping and storing milk before you start treatment.

●Use a breast pump to keep up your milk supply while you can't breastfeed, and throw that milk away.

●Switch to formula feeding.

If you have questions about pumping or your milk supply, it might help to talk with a lactation consultant (breastfeeding expert).

What about drugs and alcohol? — Doctors recommend that people who breastfeed do not use illegal drugs, which are harmful for a baby. Cannabis is legal in some places, but should be avoided if you are breastfeeding. There are studies suggesting that it could cause problems in babies. Do not smoke marijuana or use other cannabis products, such as "edibles," if you are breastfeeding.

Many people also wonder about alcohol and breastfeeding. If you drink, some alcohol does pass through your breast milk to your baby. After you have 1 drink, it takes about 2 hours for your body to get rid of the alcohol. Because of this, most doctors recommend avoiding or limiting drinking if you are breastfeeding. That might mean having only an occasional drink (less than 1 a day) with no more alcohol than the amount in a single glass of wine. They also recommend waiting 2 hours after having a drink before you breastfeed.

Where can I go to learn more? — It's a good idea to start by talking to your doctor, nurse, lactation consultant, or pharmacist. They can answer your questions about specific medicines.

There are also online resources where you can learn more. Examples include:

●InfantRisk Center – Information about medicines and breastfeeding can be found at this website: www.infantrisk.com/infantrisk-center-resources. The website also includes a link to a smartphone app with more information.

●LactMed – This is an online database where you can look up different medicines. It is meant for medical professionals, but can be useful for patients, too. The website is: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922.

●MotherToBaby – This site has information about the risks of different medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The website is: www.mothertobaby.org/our-work.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for advice if:

●You want to try an over-the-counter medicine and are not sure if it is safe.

●You think that your baby might be having a reaction to something in your milk.

●You have concerns about your milk supply.

More on this topic

Patient education: Health and nutrition during breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Breastfeeding (The Basics)
Patient education: Deciding to breastfeed (The Basics)

Patient education: Health and nutrition during breastfeeding (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Breastfeeding guide (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Deciding to breastfeed (Beyond the Basics)