Drug Safety during Breastfeeding

Most of the drugs are considered safe to use during breastfeeding, although precautionary measures ascertain that breastfed babies’ supply of milk is never compromised. For this reason, you need to confirm with physician that medication will not bring any complications for a baby. Breastfeeding being the ideal way to feed an infant is a proven fact; therefore, it is important for nursing mothers to understand that consumables also have an impact on breastfed babies. In a nutshell, there should not be any other breastfeeding complication.

Some of the medicinal drugs are observed to raise health concerns for infants. Mothers must consider the importance of safe medication during breastfeeding an infant. Nursing mothers can pass ill effects on the breastfed child as through breast milk. In some of the cases, drugs can also deplete milk supply of mothers. You can contact doctor or health professional to discuss medication during breastfeeding along with its potential risks.

Guidelines of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidelines of drug intake during breastfeeding, underlining its significance and risks. This guideline enlists all the drugs that are used by nursing women with functions and complications. All these drugs are classified on the basis of safety to the breastfed infant, categorization being L1 to L5. In this categorization of drugs, safest drugs are classified in L1, while risky drugs are classified below L5.

Safe Medication

Tylenol and Ibuprofen are the common pain relievers that should be chosen over others pain relievers that have negligible effect on a nursing child. On the other hand, pain relievers like Naprosyn or Colchicine that are categorised below L5 must be avoided. Choose antibiotics that assure you of safety, rather than going for one that delivers immediate result. The thyroid medication, Levothyroxine or Synthroid, is also classified in L1 drug category assuring you for safe consumption.

Besides, breastfeeding mothers can also derive health benefits from vitamin D and Vitamin D drug, which are declared safe by the FDA. Gold Salts, Naturetin, Nadolol, Daraprim, Platinol, Dapson, Zarontin, Negram and the sedative Bromide are the other medications listed in the unsafe category, which should be avoided to the possible extent.

Natural Alternatives

Many of the conditions can be treated by natural solution. In this case, natural remedies should be preferred over medical drugs for the well-being of breastfed infant.

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