Many medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding.
The medicines that you take can pass into breast milk. But the amount is usually small and does not affect your baby.
If you are taking prescribed medicines, do not stop taking them. Ask your GP, pharmacist, lactation nurse or midwife for advice.
Unsafe medicines while breastfeeding
Some medicines are not safe to take while breastfeeding. In most cases, there is another medicine that can be used safely instead so you can continue breastfeeding.
Important
Talk to your GP, pharmacist lactation nurse or midwife before taking a medicine, herbal remedy or supplement. Let them know if your baby was premature or had jaundice when they were born. This may affect what medicines you can take.
Talking to a healthcare professional
Your GP, pharmacist, lactation nurse or midwife can recommend suitable medicine if you are breastfeeding.
They will consider:
- you and your baby’s health history
- your baby’s age
- other medicines you take
- your symptoms - how mild or severe they are
- how effective the medicine is
- how much of the medicine passes to your baby through your breast milk
Breastfeeding when you're sick
Breastfeeding your baby when you're sick is generally safe.
Ask your doctor, lactation nurse or midwife for support if you have a serious illness and cannot breastfeed your baby.
If you continue to breastfeed while sick, you will usually pass on immunity to your baby. This may help them fight against the infection. Breast milk helps to protect your baby and recover from their illness quickly.
You’re likely to feel tired. Listen to your body and try to rest when you can. Sleep when your baby sleeps and ask for help at home if you need it.
Practising good hygiene is very important to stop any infection spreading to others.
With coughs and colds:
- cough into a tissue
- bin it
- then wash your hands
Good hygiene while breastfeeding
Cold or sore throat
If you have a cold or a sore throat, you can continue to breastfeed your baby. Doing so will pass on immunity cells so that your baby can fight the infection.
Treatment for a cold or sore throat
There are things you can do to ease symptoms of a cold or a sore throat.
Do
-
drink warm fluids such as herbal tea or honey and lemon in hot water
-
gargle salt water
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try a cough medicine that is based on glycerine and honey - your pharmacist can recommend one that is safe for breastfeeding
-
ease a dry sore throat with a throat lozenge - your pharmacist can recommend one that is safe for breastfeeding
-
use steam inhalations and saline nasal drops or sprays for a blocked nose
For pain or fever, you may want to take ibuprofen or paracetamol. Follow the instructions on the packet and take it for the shortest amount of time possible.
Important
Avoid medicines that contain decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine. These can lead to a reduction in your milk supply.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if you have:
- a very sore throat and the pain is not relieved by paracetamol or ibuprofen
- problems swallowing
- a temperature above 38 degrees Celsius
- symptoms for a week or more
Tips on managing a sore throat
Cold sores
Cold sores can lead to neonatal herpes, which can be very serious or even fatal for young babies.
If you have a cold sore or feel you are getting one:
- do not kiss your baby
- wash your hands properly before contact with your baby
- cover up any cold sores before breastfeeding if you feel it might lessen the risk of spreading the virus
Talk to your GP if you have herpes blisters on your breast or around your nipple. You may not be able to breastfeed from that breast.
Herpes infection in newborn babies (neonatal herpes)
Preventing cold sores
Prevention is better than cure for cold sores.
To lower your risk:
- use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher
- avoid stress
- spend less time in the sun or wind
- protect your lips from injury
- avoid foods or drinks that trigger symptoms
If a cold sore does appear:
- apply ice gently to the affected area to reduce pain
- use lip balm to keep the area moist
- drink lots of fluids (such as water or milk)
- eat cool, soft foods
- avoid salty foods or citrus foods (these can make blisters sting)
Talk to your pharmacist. They may be able to recommend some medicines that are safe when breastfeeding.
Antihistamines for allergies
An antihistamine is a type of medicine used for allergy symptoms - for example to treat hay fever.
Before taking an antihistamine, talk to your GP, pharmacist, lactation nurse or midwife. Tell them you want to continue breastfeeding and manage your allergy.
It is usually best to treat your symptoms without taking antihistamines. Try to avoid triggers for your allergies, such as pollen.
Painkillers
Paracetamol is usually the best painkiller to take if you're breastfeeding. It is safe to take at recommended doses.
You can also take ibuprofen for a short time and at the recommended dose. If you use ibuprofen gel, use it on the smallest area of skin you need to. Try to avoid your baby's skin touching the area where you applied it.
Take the lowest dose that works for you for the shortest possible time.
Talk to your GP or pharmacist if:
- the pain or fever do not improve
- you need to take paracetamol or ibuprofen more often
Dental work
Tell your dentist if you are breastfeeding. They will consider this if using medicine such as local anaesthetic or recommending pain relief.
General anaesthetic
You can continue breastfeeding if you have a general anaesthetic. Only harmless traces of the medicine may pass into your breast milk.
MRI and CT scans
You can continue to breastfeed after an MRI or CT scan. The contrast agents used during an MRI or CT scan will not harm your baby.
Breastfeeding after a CT or MRI scan
Hormonal contraceptives
It is safe to take the progesterone-only pill (mini-pill) while breastfeeding.
Talk to your GP for advice about other contraceptives.
Contraception and breastfeeding
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Do not take any medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without talking to a pharmacist or GP for advice.
Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions are available in your pharmacy without prescription. These can be useful to prevent dehydration.
Heartburn and indigestion
It's usually better to try to treat your symptoms without taking a medicine.
It can help to:
- eat smaller meals often
- avoid fatty and spicy food
- raise the top of your bed - so that your chest and head are above your waist when you sleep
If this does not help, ask your pharmacist to recommend an antacid that is safe to take while breastfeeding.
Other common conditions
Check how you can manage breastfeeding if you take medicines for any of the following conditions: