The use of medicines during breastfeeding

The medicines are contraindicated during pregnancy, but what happens when the baby is already born? Can you take medicines during breastfeeding? It is one of the most common doubts of first-time moms. According to a report of the Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, call

According to a report of the Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, called 'Drugs and Breastfeeding', in more than 95% of medicines sold in pharmacy have as a recommendation avoid the drug while breastfeeding or Suspend breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and medicines

Many women find themselves overwhelmed by reading drug leaflets every time they get sick. However it is estimated that 90% of drugs are compatible with breastfeeding. Still, many mothers decide not to take a medication they probably need, out of fear or guilt.

It is normal to doubt whether the medication will affect the baby, reaching him through the milk. As we have said, it is normal that most drugs do not pose any risk to the baby, however others do.

For there to be a risk, three situations have to occur:

1) that the blood absorbs and transports the drug

2) that passes into the milk (almost all drugs do so, in minimal amounts)

3) that the drug produces a negative effect for your son.

We have to keep in mind that in most of the time the amount that passes is negligible.

Other times, it may happen that the drug has not yet produced any effect on the baby, change the taste of the milk; and if this happens it can be that the little one rejects it.

And finally, remember that we have to take into account herbal medicine or the use of medicinal plants; since it can produce effects on the baby, in the amount of milk, change its flavor ... And often when considered 'more natural' we think that it carries lower risk, but as with drugs we must be careful.

In summary, during lactation the amount and safety of drug intake is greater than in pregnancy, where there is a greater restriction.

For more safety, on www.e-lactancia.org we can check if the drug that has been prescribed to a mother is compatible with breastfeeding, or if it poses a risk to the baby.