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Is aspirin safe while breastfeeding?

Is Aspirin Safe While Breastfeeding?
The safety of aspirin during breastfeeding is a nuanced topic that requires careful consideration of dosage and individual circumstances. While aspirin is a common over-the-counter medication used for pain relief and anti-inflammatory purposes, its use in breastfeeding mothers is subject to specific guidelines and recommendations.
Aspirin and Breast Milk Transfer
Research indicates that aspirin, particularly in higher doses, can be excreted into breast milk. After ingestion, salicylic acid, the active component of aspirin, is present in breast milk, with higher doses leading to disproportionately higher levels in the milk. This raises concerns about potential effects on breastfed infants, especially with long-term or high-dose use. Notably, there have been instances where high maternal doses of aspirin have been linked to metabolic acidosis in infants.
Low-Dose Aspirin Considerations
For mothers who require pain relief, low-dose aspirin (typically 75-150 mg daily) is generally considered safer than regular strength aspirin. Occasional use of low-dose aspirin is not expected to pose significant risks to a breastfeeding infant. Health professionals often advise that while low-dose aspirin can be compatible with breastfeeding, it should not be used regularly as a painkiller.
Medical Guidance is Key
The consensus among health experts is that aspirin is not usually recommended for breastfeeding mothers unless other pain relief options are unsuitable. In cases where aspirin is deemed necessary, it is crucial for mothers to consult with their healthcare provider to weigh the benefits against potential risks. This is particularly important for mothers with specific health conditions or those who have recently experienced cardiac events, where low-dose aspirin may be prescribed as part of their treatment.
Conclusion
In summary, while low-dose aspirin may be safe for occasional use during breastfeeding, higher doses and regular use are discouraged due to the potential risks to infants. Mothers should always seek medical advice before taking aspirin to ensure the safety of both themselves and their breastfeeding child.

Why no ibuprofen while breastfeeding?

You can take ibuprofen or use it on your skin while breastfeeding. It is one of the painkillers that’s usually recommended if you’re breastfeeding. Only tiny amounts get into breast milk and it’s unlikely to cause side effects in your baby. Many people have used it while breastfeeding without any problems.

How much aspirin can I take while breastfeeding?

Only take low dose aspirin while you’re breastfeeding if your doctor has advised you to do so. Aspirin passes into breast milk in very small amounts, and it is unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

What pain reliever can you take nursing?

You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together during breastfeeding if needed, up to their maximum daily doses. If your baby needs to take ibuprofen suspension (e.g. Nurofen for Children®) whilst you are taking ibuprofen, they can do so at their own full and normal dose.

Is aspirin better than ibuprofen while breastfeeding?

While ibuprofen has been proven safe for moms and babies while breastfeeding, other medications are not the same. For instance, breastfeeding women should avoid aspirin and Pepto Bismol, as well as Aleve. Aspirin has a blood-thinning effect and can increase the risk of bleeding for your baby.

Can aspirin cause miscarriage early?

Overall, researchers discovered no difference in outcomes for those who took aspirin compared to a placebo. “Early miscarriage may be due to many different reasons. The use of aspirin might be beneficial to reduce the risk due to a small portion of these reasons, but the evidence so far is inconclusive.”

How long does it take aspirin to get out of breastmilk?

After 2-4 hours there is virtually no aspirin in milk Compatible with breastfeeding if necessary at 75 -150mg mg daily, avoid as an analgesic Reye’s syndrome This is a rare syndrome, characterized by acute encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the liver, usually after a viral illness or chickenpox.

How long does it take for a baby aspirin to get out of your system?

The plasma half-life of aspirin is only 20 minutes; however, because platelets cannot generate new COX, the effects of aspirin last for the duration of the life of the platelet (≈10 days). After a single dose of aspirin, platelet COX activity recovers by ≈10% per day as a function of platelet turnover.

What pain reliever can I take while breastfeeding?

What medications are safe to take while breastfeeding?

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
  • Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others) — short-term use only.

What medications should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

  • codeine phosphate.
  • decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
  • some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
  • aspirin for pain relief.

Does aspirin affect baby?

Taking higher doses of aspirin may have risks depending on the stage of pregnancy: First trimester. During the first trimester, higher doses of aspirin may raise the risk of pregnancy loss. Taking a high dose also could raise the risk of a baby having medical conditions present at birth, called congenital defects.

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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