Which painkiller is safe for a lactating mother?

Understanding Pain Relief for Lactating Mothers
For lactating mothers, managing pain effectively while ensuring the safety of their breastfeeding infants is a critical concern. The choice of painkillers must be approached with caution, balancing the mother’s health needs against potential risks to the child.
Safe Painkillers for Breastfeeding
Ibuprofen is widely regarded as a safe option for nursing mothers. It is effective for managing pain, inflammation, and fever, and studies indicate that it poses minimal risk to breastfeeding infants when taken at recommended doses. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is often preferred due to its efficacy and safety profile.
Paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) is another pain relief option that is generally considered safe during breastfeeding. It is commonly recommended for mild to moderate pain relief and is well-tolerated by both mothers and infants. However, it is advisable for mothers to consult with a healthcare provider before taking paracetamol, especially if it is combined with other medications.
For more severe pain, morphine can be used cautiously. It is recognized as a strong opioid that may be prescribed to breastfeeding mothers, particularly after surgical procedures like cesarean sections. The key is to use it at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration necessary. While morphine can pass into breast milk, the levels are typically low enough that it does not pose a significant risk to the infant when used judiciously.
Considerations and Recommendations
When prescribing medications for breastfeeding mothers, healthcare providers must weigh the benefits of pain relief against the potential risks of drug exposure to the infant. It is crucial for mothers to communicate openly with their healthcare providers about their pain management needs and any medications they are considering.
In summary, ibuprofen and paracetamol are the go-to pain relief options for lactating mothers, while morphine can be used under careful supervision for more intense pain. Always consult a healthcare professional to ensure the chosen medication aligns with both the mother’s health needs and the safety of the breastfeeding infant.

What is the safest opioid while breastfeeding?

Morphine is the strong opioid analgesic of choice for treating pain in breastfeeding. Recommendations apply to full term and healthy infants only.

Is ibuprofen or Tylenol safer for breastfeeding?

Most over-the-counter (also called OTC) medicine, like pain relievers and cold medicine, are OK to take when you’re breastfeeding. For example, OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) are safe to use when breastfeeding.

What is a stomach friendly alternative to ibuprofen?

Acetaminophen, especially in low dose, appears less likely to irritate the stomach than NSAIDs, so in many cases it is reasonable to take acetaminophen along with (or instead of) NSAIDs.

Is tramadol safe in breastfeeding?

Healthcare professionals should be aware that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with codeine or tramadol due to the risk of serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants such as excess sleepiness, difficulty breastfeeding, and serious breathing problems, which may result in death.

What pain reliever can a lactating mother take for toothache?

If you’re breastfeeding, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen up to the daily maximum dose. However, if you can take less, that is recommended. You can also take naproxen to the daily maximum dose, but this medicine should only be taken for a short period of time.

What painkiller is safe postpartum?

After caesarean section or assisted delivery, we recommend you take ibuprofen 400 mg four times a day as well as paracetamol regularly for a few days. It is safe to take ibuprofen at the same time as paracetamol. Do not take more than 1200mg ibuprofen in 24 hours without medical advice.

What painkiller do they give you when giving birth?

An epidural block (also called “an epidural”) is the most common type of pain relief used for childbirth in the United States. In an epidural block, medication is given through a tube placed in the lower back.

Is hydrocodone safe for breastfeeding?

Moderate dosages of hydrocodone appear acceptable during breastfeeding, but more data are needed to determine the maximum safe dosage for nursing mothers. Neonates and preterm infants may be more susceptible than older infants to adverse effects of hydrocodone and its metabolites in breast milk.

What painkillers can breastfeeding moms take?

Paracetamol is the first choice pain medication during breastfeeding. While it appears in breast milk, the amount is too small to cause harm to your baby. Sometimes paracetamol alone may not control your pain. In this case a non- steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), for example ibuprofen, can also be taken.

What pain medication is not safe while breastfeeding?

Products containing codeine are not recommended when you are breastfeeding. Small amounts of codeine can pass through to your baby in your breastmilk and may cause drowsiness or breathing problems.