What can you not take while breastfeeding?

Understanding What to Avoid While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial period for both mother and baby, and it comes with specific guidelines regarding what substances should be avoided to ensure the health and safety of the infant. While many mothers are aware of the importance of a balanced diet, there are also medications, foods, and substances that can pose risks during this time.
Medications to Avoid
When it comes to medications, not all are safe for breastfeeding mothers. Certain drugs can pass into breast milk and potentially affect the baby. For instance, some antibiotics and cold medications may not be suitable. It’s essential for nursing mothers to consult healthcare providers about which medications are safe to take. Common over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and paracetamol are generally considered safe, but others, particularly those containing codeine or certain antihistamines, should be avoided unless prescribed by a doctor.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is another substance that breastfeeding mothers should approach with caution. It can easily transfer into breast milk, and its effects on a nursing infant can be significant. Experts recommend that if a mother chooses to drink, she should wait at least two hours after consuming a single drink before breastfeeding. For multiple drinks, the wait time increases, and “pumping and dumping” may be advised to manage alcohol levels in breast milk.
Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is a common concern for breastfeeding mothers as well. While moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered acceptable, excessive intake can lead to irritability and sleep disturbances in infants. Mothers are advised to limit their caffeine intake from sources like coffee and tea to ensure their babies remain calm and can sleep well.
Certain Foods and Herbs
Dietary choices also play a significant role in breastfeeding. Some foods, such as those that are spicy or gassy, may cause discomfort for the baby. Additionally, certain herbs and supplements, like Dong quai, lack sufficient research to confirm their safety during breastfeeding and should be avoided.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers should be mindful of medications, alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods and herbs that could affect their babies. Consulting healthcare professionals for personalized advice is crucial to navigate these considerations effectively. By being informed and cautious, mothers can ensure a healthier breastfeeding experience for both themselves and their infants.

Is there anything to avoid while breastfeeding?

Avoiding certain foods, such as garlic, onions or cabbage, might help. Remember, there’s no need to go on a special diet while you’re breastfeeding. Simply focus on making healthy choices — and you and your baby will reap the rewards.

What vitamins decrease milk supply?

If you haven’t nursed your infant yet, high doses of vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cobalamin) may work to suppress lactation. One older study from the 1970s suggested that high doses B6, B1, and B12 suppressed lactation for 96% of the participants, with no unpleasant side effects.

What are the don’ts of breastfeeding?

Don’ts

• Don’t give up on breastfeeding your newborn no matter how hard you find it.
• Do not ignore your pain if you are experiencing sore nipples.
• Don’t eat any painkillers or medicine unless your doctor prescribes it.
• Don’t start breastfeeding when you are feeling angry or depressed.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

What medications are not safe to take 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.

What is not recommended for breastfeeding?

Medical Contraindications for Breastfeeding
There are a few medical contraindications to breastfeeding, and these include: An infant who has the metabolic disorder of classic galactosemia (galactose 1-phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency). A mother living with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I or type II.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

What negatively affects breast milk?

Stress is the No. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby’s schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply.

What passes through breast milk?

Almost any drug that’s present in the blood will transfer into breast milk to some extent. Most medications do so at low levels and pose no real risk to most infants. There are exceptions, though. Some drugs can be found in high levels in breast milk.

What medications affect milk supply?

Remember, there are also many medications that can reduce your milk supply. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply.