Finding Safe Medications While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers that plan on taking a herbal remedy, over the counter medication or prescription medication while breastfeeding often have concerns about finding safe medications while breastfeeding. These breastfeeding references are great places to find safe medications while breastfeeding:
- Thomas Hale, Medications and Mothers’ Milk, last updated in 2012.
- American Academy of Pediatrics “The Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk“
- National Library of Medicines free, accurate service, LactMed, released in April 2006.
If after checking these breastfeeding references you are still unsure about the safety of taking any medication and breastfeeding check with your lactation consultant. I say check with your lactation consultant and NOT doctor because doctors are not always in touch with what medications are safe while breastfeeding. Doctors typically use the Physician’s Desk Reference instead of specific breastfeeding references for information about drug contradictions with breastfeeding. Doctors generally error on the side of caution to avoid lawsuits. In my experience it is not uncommon for a doctor to recommend avoiding a medication that would be perfectly safe to take while breastfeeding.
Read More:
Herbal Remedies and Breastfeeding
What is a Galactagogue?
Meditations to Avoid While Breastfeeding