women s health issues
Medication and Substance Use During Breastfeeding
Medications and Substances That Should Not Be Taken While Breastfeeding
Some medications and other substances should not be taken by mothers who are Breastfeeding . They include Amphetamines None Chemotherapy and Other Systemic Cancer Treatments (such as Chloramphenicol (an antibiotic) Ergotamine(used to treat migraine headaches) Lithium None Radionuclide Scanning used for diagnostic procedures Illicit drugs such as Cocaine , Medications that may suppress milk production Medications that may suppress milk production include Hormone Therapy for Menopause , If women who are breastfeeding must take a drug that may harm the baby, they must stop breastfeeding. But they can resume breastfeeding after they stop taking the drug. While taking the drug, women can maintain their milk supply by pumping breast milk, which is then discarded. Women who are breastfeeding should consult their health care professional about all the drugs they are taking or about to start. Women who smoke should not breastfeed within 2 hours of smoking and should never smoke in the presence of their baby whether they are breastfeeding or not. Smoking reduces milk production and interferes with normal weight gain in the baby. Alcohol consumed in large amounts can make the baby drowsy and cause profuse sweating. The baby's length may not increase normally, and the baby may gain excess weight. Drinking up to 1 standard drink per day does not appear to harm the breastfeeding infant, especially if a woman waits at least 2 hours after a single drink before breastfeeding. 