Continued breastfeeding is important for a baby's health,
however it is also important that a mother take effective medication to
improve her own health if necessary. If a nursing mother needs
medication of any sort she should make sure that her health care provider
is aware that she is breastfeeding so the provider can prescribe a medication that is
compatible with breastfeeding so neither the health of the mother nor the baby will suffer.
In most cases weaning is not necessary. If a particular
medication is not compatible with breastfeeding, it is often possible
to prescribe a different effective medication that is compatible.
Although most medications are compatible with breastfeeding, it is
important to check to be sure. You may find out that the medication
would be in the
milk in such small amounts that it won't affect the baby. Sometimes
if you take a medication immediately after a feeding, the amount of
medication in the milk will be minimal by the time the baby feeds again.
It is also important to make sure your healthcare provider is aware of
the age
of your baby when prescribing any medication as a premature or newborn baby
can be
more affected by medications than an older nursing baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs has published
a list of medications that are compatible with breastfeeding that is
considered to be much more reliable than a PDR, which is made up
mostly of inserts from medications. Most
pediatricians have access to this list
and will share the information with mothers. More detailed information
is available in the book, "Medications and Mothers' Milk", by Thomas
Hale, Ph.D. You can also find information regarding breastfeeding
pharmacology at
http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/index.html. It
is equally important to check on any over-the-counter medications or herbal
remedies you are taking.
If you are told that you cannot
breastfeed while taking a certain medication, you should ask your
health care provider the reason, and perhaps get a second opinion before taking
such a drastic step as weaning
your child. Very few medications are dangerous to take while
breastfeeding and quitting breastfeeding can be much more harmful to
your baby than receiving small amounts of an approved medication. For
instance, medications like morphine, codeine, ibuprofen and
acetaminophen are all approved for breastfeeding mothers by the American
Academy of Pediatrics. The flu vaccine and most antibiotics are
considered safe for nursing mothers. Call your local breastfeeding support professionals
or hospital lactation consultant for more information.
