Breastfeeding And Medication: Appropriate Medicines

Pregnant women should limit medication intake as much as possible and strictly only use the medications prescribed by their doctor. However, the question arises as to whether they should apply the same restrictions while breastfeeding. Do you know if there is medication that is suitable if you are breastfeeding? Keep reading to find out.

Breastfeeding and medication

There is no better way to feed children during their first months of life. The many benefits of breastfeeding are known to most (Spanish link. The benefits include):

• Contains all the necessary nutrients for the proper development of the baby.
• Provides antibodies that protect against infections, diarrhea, allergies and other conditions.
• Easily digestible.
• Reduces constipation.
• Promotes lifelong good health.

In addition, breastfeeding also benefits the mother (Spanish link). It can reduce the risk of developing a number of conditions, including:

• Breast and ovarian cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Postnatal depression
• Anemia
• Osteoporosis

In many cases, health professionals strongly recommend breastfeeding for the benefits to the baby and mother. For all these reasons, it is important for mothers to know that breastfeeding is the best option.

Is stopping breastfeeding recommended?

New mothers should also understand that they should not stop breastfeeding unless it is due to a serious problem. Taking certain medications is therefore not an excuse to stop breastfeeding.

We are sure that many women think that what they ingest while breastfeeding can be passed on to the baby just like when they are pregnant. They therefore believe that the best option is to stop breastfeeding if they are on medication.

However, this is a big mistake. There are very few medications that interfere with breastfeeding, so it is completely safe to take them while you are breastfeeding your child.

In any case, it is always up to the doctor to determine whether the medication is compatible with breastfeeding. So don’t hesitate to ask your doctor what he or she thinks is best.

Also keep in mind that we often resort to taking medication to treat discomfort that can actually be overcome without the need to take medication. For that reason, it is best to avoid medication while breastfeeding unless necessary.

Which medication is compatible with breastfeeding?

A number of medications such as paracetamol and certain groups of antibiotics are compatible with breastfeeding. To determine if the medication you are taking is compatible with breastfeeding, we recommend that you visit your doctor and ask. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is possible to take most medications while breastfeeding:

• Paracetamol does not cause any problems. However, as you know, excessive drug intake is not recommended. It is therefore better not to take it unless absolutely necessary.
• A number of groups of antibiotics are also compatible with breastfeeding. In that case, your doctor will tell you which antibiotic to take to make sure it doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding.

• Insulin doesn’t cause any problems either. In fact, almost all hormones can be administered during these months, except estrogen, which could reduce breast milk production. So ask your doctor about hormonal birth control if you want to start using it.
• In the prescribed doses, almost all antithyroid, antiepileptic, anti-rheumatic, inflammatory bowel disease and various immunosuppressants are also compatible.
• If you need to go to the dentist, you should know that the local anesthesia and the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs they prescribe will not affect breastfeeding either.

Which medication should I not take?

The Spanish Pediatric Association indicates that the following medications should not be taken while breastfeeding:

• A number of anticoagulants
• Derivatives of ergotamine for the treatment of migraine, because they inhibit prolactin.
• Antineoplastics
• Psychopharmaceuticals
• Drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, alcohol, etc.)
• Medication with a high iodine content
• Chemotherapy

Use of compatible medications while breastfeeding

If in doubt, ask your doctor about taking medication while breastfeeding. While most medications are not contraindicated, we should always rely on our doctor’s advice to ensure there are no problems or risks to mother or child. The following should also be taken into account:

• We should always be careful when taking medicines. For this reason, it is best not to take anything if you suffer from minor ailments and conditions that can be overcome without resorting to medication.
• If the baby or mother has certain health problems (eg, kidney problems, glucose-6-phosphate-DH deficiency), the list of medications compatible with breastfeeding may be much shorter. You should therefore consult your doctor.
• You should not self-medicate, either while breastfeeding or during any other period of your life. Do not use any medicines not prescribed by a doctor.
• Do not stop breastfeeding unless there is a good reason to do so.

In short, breastfeeding offers several benefits for mother and child. There’s a list of medications you can take while you’re breastfeeding, so check with your doctor to make sure they’re safe and continue to benefit from the most natural care possible: breastfeeding.