Breastfeeding and Medication

Most mothers worry about how safely breastfeeding and medication go hand in hand with each other. Some doctors, as a general rule, may advise mothers to start the breastfeeding weaning process when they prescribe medicines for the mother. They consider it unsafe for the mother to go ahead with breastfeeding and medication together because traces of the medicine appear in the breast milk. This precaution may be excessive as many medicines and anaesthetics prescribed for normal illnesses are safe for the breastfeeding mother and their babies. Discuss with your doctor if there is an absolute need for you to stop breastfeeding and if you can continue breastfeeding and take alternative medications that are safe. If you are still not convinced, feel free to get a second opinion from an expert.

According to World Heath Organization (WHO), medicines taken during breastfeeding fall under the following categories:

• Compatible with breastfeeding

  - These medicines have no side effects and the mother can take the medicines and resume breastfeeding.

• Compatible with breastfeeding, monitor side effects

  - These medicines usually have very little or no side effects on the baby. Stop using the medicine if there are any side effects and try an alternative medicine.

• Avoid if possible, monitor side effects

  - These medicines must be taken only if there is no other alternative medicine to treat the mother. You must monitor your baby for side effects. Stop using the medicine if there are any side effects.

• Avoid if possible, may inhibit lactation

  - Avoid using these medicines as they may reduce the production of breast milk.

• Avoid

  - These medicines have to be avoided as they are dangerous for the baby. If it is necessary for the mother to take these medicines, she must stop breastfeeding her baby until the treatment is over. Such medicines are very few in number.

Factors Governing Breastfeeding and Medication

When a doctor prescribes medicines for you, he must consider the following factors:

• How much medicine is transferred to the breast milk?
• How long will the medicine stay in the breast milk before passing through the excretory system?
• How much medicine is absorbed in the mother's body?

Mothers must avoid medicines that reduce the initial milk production. Once milk supply has been established, this does not pose a threat. Long term medications that include lithium, antidepressants, and sedatives can affect the baby's nervous system and immunity system in the long run. Let your doctor know that you are breastfeeding if you are taking these medications. If you are using radioisotopes for diagnosis or treatment, your doctor may advise you to select a radioisotope with a short half life. Avoid breastfeeding for a short while till it gets cleared from the mother's system. To feed your baby during this time, you might want to consider the option of expressing your milk before hand.

A doctor must also consider the age, weight and health of the baby. A full term baby may be unaffected by the mother's drugs but a preterm baby can be more sensitive. Also, babies with gastrointestinal problems are more likely to be affected by the medicines taken by the mother.

Safety Measures for Breastfeeding Under Medication

As a caring mother, you can take the following safety measures for your little one:

• Make sure that the doctor who prescribes the medicines knows that you are breastfeeding.
• Take a medicine only if it is absolutely required and use the minimum dosage for the shortest duration possible.
• Avoid over the counter medicines without a proper prescription.
• Take medicines composed of a single formula.
• Watch out for any reactions produced by the medicines on your baby.
• Read the label of the medicine before you start the medication.

Are there any instances when I should avoid breastfeeding?

Certain situations may refrain you from breastfeeding your baby. You should not breastfeed your baby if you are:

• Infected with HIV or have AIDS and are under antiretroviral medications
• Suffering from tuberculosis
• Taking illicit drugs
• Using chemotherapy agents or antithyroid drugs