What pills are safe for breastfeeding?

Understanding Safe Medications During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often face the dilemma of needing medication while ensuring the safety of their newborns. The good news is that many medications are considered safe for use during breastfeeding, but it is crucial to navigate this landscape with care and informed guidance.
General Guidelines for Medication Use
According to a clinical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, most medications and immunizations are safe to use while breastfeeding. This includes a variety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, provided they are taken with caution and under medical supervision. It is always advisable for breastfeeding mothers to consult with their healthcare providers before starting any medication, as individual circumstances can vary significantly.
Safe Medications
1. Pain Relievers: Common pain relievers such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are generally safe for breastfeeding mothers. These medications have been extensively studied and are not known to adversely affect breastfed infants.
2. Antibiotics: Many antibiotics are also safe during breastfeeding. For instance, penicillin and cephalosporins are commonly prescribed and pose minimal risk to nursing infants. However, some antibiotics, like tetracycline, should be avoided due to potential effects on the baby’s teeth and bones.
3. Cold and Allergy Medications: While some cold medications are safe, breastfeeding mothers should avoid those containing alcohol or certain antihistamines like Benadryl and Sudafed, which can cause drowsiness in infants. Non-sedating antihistamines may be a better choice.
4. Topical Medications: Medications applied to the skin, eyes, or nose are typically safe, as they have minimal systemic absorption and thus a lower risk of affecting the breastfed baby.
5. Birth Control: For mothers looking to manage their reproductive health, non-hormonal birth control methods are safe during breastfeeding. Hormonal methods containing estrogen should be avoided for the first three weeks postpartum, but can be used thereafter.
Medications to Avoid
While many medications are safe, some should be approached with caution. For example, metronidazole, although often feared due to misconceptions about its safety, is considered safe for short-term use during breastfeeding, despite its potential to alter the taste of breast milk. On the other hand, medications like NyQuil, DayQuil, and other alcohol-based products should be avoided as they can affect the infant.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding mothers can often safely take a variety of medications, it is essential to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice. Understanding which medications are safe and which to avoid can help ensure both the mother’s health and the baby’s well-being. Always prioritize open communication with healthcare providers to navigate medication use during this critical period.

What pill is safe while breastfeeding?

Oral contraceptives (the pill): the progesterone-only mini pill is best while breastfeeding. The pill (combined oral contraceptive pill) should not be taken. Painkillers: paracetamol is safe to take at the recommended dose while breast feeding. Ibuprofen should only be taking in low doses for a short time.

What not 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.

Which drug is usually avoided with breastfeeding?

Table. Examples of drugs contraindicated in breastfeeding.

Drug	Comment
Iodine	High doses (>150 micrograms daily) lead to risk of infant hypothyroidism
Lithium	Breastfeeding only feasible with rigorous monitoring
Radiopharmaceuticals	Contact obstetric information service
Retinoids (oral)	Potential for serious adverse effects

What birth control doesn’t affect breast milk?

Implants. You can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years with a special stick that’s the size of a match. Your doctor implants it just under your skin in your upper arm. This form of birth control only has the hormone progestin, so it doesn’t affect your milk supply.

What is the best birth control for postpartum?

We typically recommend three types of birth control options for women who want to avoid pregnancy after childbirth: the Depo Provera shots, which last about three months; long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) devices, which are effective up to 10 years; and tubal ligation, which is considered permanent.

What medications affect 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.

What contraceptive pills are safe for breastfeeding?

If you are breastfeeding, you may safely use:

• the mini pill.
• condoms.
• diaphragms.
• a contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera® or Depo-Ralovera®)
• an Implanon NXT™ implant.
• intrauterine devices (IUDs)
• permanent sterilisation (tubal ligation).

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.

What birth control doesn’t affect your milk supply?

Implants. You can prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years with a special stick that’s the size of a match. Your doctor implants it just under your skin in your upper arm. This form of birth control only has the hormone progestin, so it doesn’t affect your milk supply.

Is it safe to take Tylenol or ibuprofen while breastfeeding?

Your baby receives very little of the medication in your milk, and very few meds will affect your milk supply. Tylenol and ibuprofen are fine to take for pain relief and fever, for example. For allergies and colds, most antihistamines are okay, but some decongestants can decrease your milk supply.