What should I take for a headache while breastfeeding?

Understanding Headaches While Breastfeeding
Experiencing headaches during the postpartum period is a common issue for many new mothers. These headaches can stem from various factors, including hormonal changes, dehydration, fatigue, and even stress associated with caring for a newborn. For breastfeeding mothers, managing these headaches can be particularly concerning due to the need to ensure that any treatment is safe for both the mother and the infant.
Safe Medications for Headaches
When it comes to treating headaches while breastfeeding, there are several options that are generally considered safe. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin) are commonly recommended. These medications have been shown to be effective in alleviating pain and are not known to pose significant risks to breastfeeding infants.
It’s important to note that while some stronger medications, such as butalbital, are not recommended for use during breastfeeding, many mothers can find relief with the safer alternatives mentioned above.
Non-Pharmacological Approaches
In addition to medication, non-pharmacological treatments can also be beneficial. Techniques such as maintaining proper hydration, ensuring adequate rest, and practicing relaxation methods can help mitigate headache symptoms. For instance, trying different breastfeeding positions, like the laid-back nursing position or side-lying, can help mothers relax while feeding and potentially reduce the occurrence of headaches.
Keeping a headache diary may also be useful. This can help identify triggers and patterns, allowing mothers to take proactive steps in managing their headaches.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While many headaches can be managed at home, it’s crucial for mothers to consult with a healthcare provider if headaches persist or worsen. This is especially important if the headaches are accompanied by other symptoms, as they could indicate underlying conditions that require medical attention.
In summary, breastfeeding mothers experiencing headaches have safe options for relief, including OTC medications and lifestyle adjustments. By combining these approaches, many can find effective ways to manage their headaches while continuing to provide nourishment to their infants.

What helps with postpartum headaches?

Treatments for Postpartum Headaches

• Get more sleep.
• Eat a well-balanced diet.
• Drink more water.
• Use a cool compress or ice pack.
• Rest in a dark and quiet room.
• Take small amounts pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Drink small amounts of caffeine.
• Get a massage.

What can a breastfeeding mom take for a headache?

Table 3.

Drug	Hale Lactation Rating	Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation Briggs Category
Ibuprofen	L1	Compatible
Indomethacin	L3	Probably compatible
Ketorolac	L2	Probably compatible
Naproxen	L3 or L4	Probably compatible

Is it better 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.

How much Tylenol can I take while breastfeeding?

What pain medications are safe during breastfeeding? To help relieve your pain, it’s safe to take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650-1000 mg every 4 to 6 hours (but no more than 4000 mg – or 8 extra-strength pills – per day) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) 400-600 mg every 6 hours.

How can I stop breastfeeding headaches?

Options include: Taking headache medicine: Medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and over-the-counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen and naproxen sodium) can help ease headache symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider about what’s safe to take while breastfeeding (chestfeeding).

Does Tylenol reduce milk supply?

Rubin notes that both LactMed, a breastfeeding research database, and the InfantRisk Center consider Tylenol a safe option during lactation. “LactMed and InfantRisk are the most trusted resources by breastfeeding medicine specialists when determining the safety of medications during lactation,” Dr.

How long do lactation headaches last?

Experts think this might be related to the surge in ocytocin (a hormone). Some moms find that mild pain killers (like Tylenol or Advil) help and that the headaches become less severe or stop around two months postpartum. Other moms have problems with these “lactation headaches” until they wean.

Is Excedrin safe for breastfeeding?

Aspirin, on the other hand, is associated with a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome in children under the age of 18. Due to these concerns, it’s generally recommended to avoid Excedrin while breastfeeding.

Does breastfeeding affect mother’s teeth?

It increases the risk of tooth decay.
Many breastfeeding mothers develop tooth decay and cavities, even from pregnancy. The cause of this can be one of multiple things. Some breastfeeding mothers vomit a lot due to numerous factors. Vomit washes the teeth with stomach acid, which erodes the enamel.

How to relieve postpartum headaches?

There are some things you can do for postpartum headache relief, including:

1. Get more sleep.
2. Eat a well-balanced diet.
3. Drink more water.
4. Use a cool compress or ice pack.
5. Rest in a dark and quiet room.
6. Take small amounts pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
7. Drink small amounts of caffeine.
8. Get a massage.