Can steroids cause low milk supply?

Understanding the Impact of Steroids on Milk Supply
The relationship between steroid use and milk supply is a nuanced topic that intertwines hormonal balance, lactation physiology, and the potential effects of external substances on breastfeeding. While the direct impact of steroids on a mother’s milk supply is not extensively documented, there are several factors to consider.
Hormonal Influence on Lactation
One of the primary reasons for low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers is hormonal dysfunction. Hormones play a crucial role in the production and regulation of breast milk. Conditions that affect hormone levels, such as stress or medical treatments involving steroids, can lead to decreased milk production. Corticosteroids, like prednisone and prednisolone, are commonly prescribed for various conditions and can influence hormonal balance, potentially affecting lactation.
Corticosteroids and Breastfeeding
Research indicates that the amounts of corticosteroids present in breast milk are generally low, and no adverse effects have been reported in breastfed infants when mothers use these medications. However, while the immediate effects on milk supply may not be significant, the underlying hormonal changes induced by steroid use could contribute to longer-term issues with lactation. For instance, if a mother is using steroids for a condition that also affects her hormonal balance, this could indirectly lead to a reduced milk supply.
Steroids in Dairy Products
Another layer to this discussion involves the consumption of dairy products that may contain steroid residues. Cattle are often administered steroids and hormonal injections, which can end up in the milk consumed by humans. While this primarily raises concerns about health issues and potential infertility, the cumulative effect of these hormones in the diet could theoretically influence hormonal balance in breastfeeding mothers, although direct evidence linking dairy steroid consumption to low milk supply is limited.
Conclusion
In summary, while corticosteroids used by mothers may not directly cause low milk supply, they can influence hormonal levels that are critical for lactation. Additionally, the presence of steroids in dairy products raises broader questions about hormonal exposure and its potential effects on health, including lactation. For mothers experiencing low milk supply, it is essential to consult healthcare providers to explore all possible underlying causes, including hormonal factors and medication effects.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.

What medications dry up milk supply?

High dose steroids (such as Solumedrol) Strong antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Testosterone. Estrogen.

Why is nothing increasing my milk supply?

The key to increasing your milk supply is frequent stimulation and emptying of the breasts. This may take some time and it is important that you seek advice and support from a lactation consultant, your maternal and child health nurse or other health care professional skilled in breastfeeding management.

Do steroids increase lactate?

Corticosteroids cause a marked increase in gluconeogenesis from protein, with consequent increased glucose utilization and increased formation of lactate (2). There have been case reports describing a similar effect in patients with lymphoma who are treated with steroids.

What are the side effects of steroids in pregnancy for the mother?

Commonly reported side-effects after taking steroids are: • Flushing of the mother’s face and chest. Some glucose appearing in the mother’s urine for a day or two. Some difficulty in getting off to sleep at night for one or two days. Some reduction in the baby’s movements for about 24 hours.

What causes a drastic drop in milk supply?

A decrease in milk supply can be caused by a variety of different factors. A very common (and solvable) problem is not pumping or feeding enough. Because milk production works on a supply and demand basis, not pumping on a frequent schedule will signal to your body that it does not need to produce milk.

What decreases milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

What medications cause low milk supply?

For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply. So please call us if you are breastfeeding and need clarification on the safety of a medication or to see if a medication you are taking may be affecting your milk supply while breastfeeding.

Does steroid affect milk supply?

High doses might occasionally cause temporary loss of milk supply. Keeping the dose as low as possible will help limit the amount in the breast milk. Levels of prednisone or prednisolone in breast milk are likely to be highest about 1 to 2 hours after taking the medication.

What negatively affects breast milk supply?

Supplementing with formula
However, supplementing with formula for multiple feedings every day (such as while the baby is at daycare) or releasing breast milk only when the baby wants to nurse tells your body that it doesn’t need to produce as much milk. Consequently, your supply will begin to decrease.