Can I breastfeed while on Tamiflu?

Breastfeeding While on Tamiflu: What You Need to Know
As flu season approaches, many breastfeeding mothers may find themselves grappling with the question of whether it’s safe to take Tamiflu (oseltamivir) while nursing. This antiviral medication is commonly prescribed to treat influenza, but concerns about its effects on breastfed infants can lead to uncertainty.
Safety of Tamiflu During Breastfeeding
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tamiflu is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. The medication is excreted into breast milk in very low levels, and studies have shown no significant adverse effects in breastfed infants . This reassurance is crucial, as breast milk plays a vital role in providing essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect infants from infections, including the flu.
Consulting Healthcare Providers
While the CDC supports the use of Tamiflu during breastfeeding, it is always advisable for mothers to consult their healthcare providers before starting any medication. Individual health circumstances can vary, and a healthcare professional can help weigh the benefits of treating flu symptoms against any potential risks.
The Importance of Breastfeeding During Illness
Even if a mother is experiencing flu symptoms, continuing to breastfeed is encouraged. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that breastfeeding should not be interrupted during mild illnesses, as the antibodies present in breast milk can help bolster the infant’s immune system. In fact, by the time a mother shows symptoms of the flu, her baby may have already been exposed to the virus, making the protective benefits of breast milk even more critical.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can generally take Tamiflu without significant concern for their infants. The medication’s low levels in breast milk and the absence of reported adverse effects provide a level of reassurance. However, as with any medication, it is essential to have a conversation with a healthcare provider to ensure that it is the right choice for both mother and child. Ultimately, maintaining breastfeeding during illness not only supports the mother’s health but also provides crucial immunity to the infant.

Can a baby get flu from its mother?

If a mother is not ill with the flu, breastfeeding is encouraged. If you are sick, you may need to express your milk for use in bottle feedings given by a healthy person. It is unlikely a newborn can catch flu from drinking your breast milk when you are sick. Breast milk is considered safe if you are taking antivirals.

What flu medication is safe while breastfeeding?

Can I take flu medication while breastfeeding? Yes. Although there’s limited data on antiviral flu meds taken while breastfeeding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends nursing parents with the flu (confirmed or suspected) take antivirals, with oral oseltamivir being the preferred pick.

Can a mom with the flu breastfeeding?

“The CDC recommends mothers and/or babies with the flu should continue breastfeeding. Because there is no flu vaccine available for babies under the age of 6 months, the antibodies found in mother’s milk play an important role in lowering baby’s risk.

Is Tamiflu safe while breastfeeding?

Summary of Use during Lactation
Maternal dosages of 150 mg daily produce low levels in milk and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Infants over 2 weeks of age can receive oseltamivir directly in doses much larger than those in breastmilk.

Does Tamiflu affect fetus?

Even though these small amounts of Tamiflu cross to the baby, studies haven’t shown any risk of birth defects from it. In fact, Tamiflu is considered the first-choice antiviral medication for the flu during pregnancy because it has the most studies available to show it is safe and effective.

How long is flu contagious after Tamiflu?

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral drug that can shorten the duration of influenza (flu) symptoms. However, it will not stop the spread of the flu virus to others. You are still contagious on Tamiflu. The flu is contagious about one day before symptoms begin and up to a week after symptoms start.

Is Tamiflu safe for babies?

TAMIFLU is a prescription medicine used to treat the flu (influenza) in people 2 weeks of age and older who have had flu symptoms for no more than 2 days. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in people 1 year and older.

Can a mom with the flu breastfeed?

“The CDC recommends mothers and/or babies with the flu should continue breastfeeding. Because there is no flu vaccine available for babies under the age of 6 months, the antibodies found in mother’s milk play an important role in lowering baby’s risk.

Can you mix Tamiflu with milk for baby?

How to give the medicine to an infant or a young child: For older children: Bottle Nipple: Mix the medicine with one or two teaspoons of formula or breast milk inside the nipple of the bottle. Let your infant suck on the nipple until all the medicine is gone. Medicine Syringe: Mix the medicine as described in step 4.

How do I fight the flu while breastfeeding?

For women who are breastfeeding with suspected or confirmed flu, the preferred antiviral medication is oral oseltamivir.