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Does cefdinir affect breast milk supply?

Understanding Cefdinir and Its Impact on Breastfeeding
Cefdinir, a cephalosporin antibiotic, is often prescribed to treat various bacterial infections. However, for breastfeeding mothers, a common concern arises: Does cefdinir affect breast milk supply or the health of the breastfed infant?
Lack of Specific Data
Currently, there is no specific information available regarding the effects of cefdinir on breastfeeding. This absence of data means that healthcare providers often rely on general knowledge about cephalosporins and their safety profiles during lactation. According to multiple sources, cephalosporins, including cefdinir, are generally not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants .
Potential Effects on Infants
While cefdinir itself is not known to significantly impact breast milk supply, there are some considerations regarding its effects on infants. The use of antibiotics can occasionally disrupt an infant’s gastrointestinal flora, which may lead to issues such as diarrhea or thrush . However, these effects are typically short-lived and not harmful. It is important to note that maintaining breastfeeding is beneficial for the infant’s gut health, even in the presence of such disruptions.
Passage into Breast Milk
Another critical aspect to consider is whether cefdinir passes into breast milk. While it is not definitively established whether cefdinir does cross into human milk, some sources suggest that it is unlikely to do so in significant amounts. This is reassuring for breastfeeding mothers who may need to take this medication.
Conclusion
In summary, while there is no concrete evidence that cefdinir affects breast milk supply or poses significant risks to breastfed infants, mothers should always consult with their healthcare providers before starting any new medication. The general consensus is that cefdinir is considered safe for use during breastfeeding, but individual circumstances may vary. Therefore, a personalized discussion with a healthcare professional is essential to weigh the benefits and risks effectively.

How long after taking antibiotics can I breastfeed?

In most cases, you can safely breastfeed after you have been taking antibiotics for about two weeks and have been told by your doctor that you are no longer infectious.

What is the most common side effect of cefdinir?

One of the most common side effects of Cefdinir is gastrointestinal upset. Patients may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms are typically mild and resolve on their own, but severe or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Does cefdinir affect birth control?

you should know that cefdinir may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). You will need to use another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking cefdinir.

What effect do antibiotics have on milk production?

Effects in dairy industry: Existence of ARs in milk, even in very low concentration is of great concern in dairy industries. The residues of antibiotics can interfere with the fermentation process during production of cheese and yogurt by inhibiting the starter cultures [16].

Is cefdinir a powerful antibiotic?

Cefdinir is a strong antibiotic. It is an extended-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria.

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 to avoid when taking cefdinir?

If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids, iron supplements, or multivitamins, do not take them at the same time that you take this medicine. It is best to take these medicines at least 2 hours before or after taking cefdinir. These medicines may keep cefdinir from working properly.

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.

Can antibiotics make your milk supply drop?

Occasionally women are given medications that can interfere with their milk supply. A common clinical scenario is a woman who has an overwhelming allergic reaction to something, such as an antibiotic given to her for mastitis.

What medications drop 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.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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