Q&A: Breastfeeding and medications.

Your questions answered

Your Question:
I have been started on a new medication for a long term medical problem that I have had since I was a child. I fear that the medication may pass in the breastmilk and cause problems for my baby. Do you have any suggestions?

My Answer:
Many medications can pass into the breastmilk. Some in larger quantities than others. Just how much of the medication is secreted into the breastmilk depends on characteristics of the medication itself.

Most medications prescribed for breastfeeding mothers either don't pass into the breastmilk or do so only in quantities much too small to cause any problems.

All medications would carry warnings on any known or hypothetical risks for babies or fetuses if they are taken during lactation or pregnancy. Safety of medications during pregnancy and lactation should be checked by prescribing doctor, especially when they are prescribed for pregnant or lactating women.

I would presume that your doctor whould have done the same. If you are not sure, or have concerns, I would suggest that you see the same doctor and have things clarified. The medication itself must be important enough for it to be prescribed, so it is best to get the clarification early so that you can either start to use it, or get alternative treatment started if safety is a concern.

There are so many different medications available these days that it is not humanly possible for doctors to remember, from the top of their heads, the safety of each one of them. For this reason, most drug (medication) index (guides) have lists of medications and their safety in pregnancy.