MEDICATIONS & BREASTFEEDING

When a mother becomes ill, she should not interrupt breastfeeding for fear that she may make her baby sick. Breastmilk passes immunity to the baby in many circumstances. Frequent hand washing will also decrease the risk of contagiousness.
 
If you are nursing while ill, it is generally best to avoid most medications. If you wish to take medicine, the following medicines may be taken  safely (at the recommended dose) without risk to your baby:
 
For fever: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen
 
For colds: Nasal sprays (ex. Afrin, neosynephrin). Avoid OTC cold medications with pseudophedrine or diphenhydramine as this can decrease milk supply.
 
For pain: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Codeine, Demerol, Naprosyn
 
For infection: Antibiotics do not usually produce adverse effects in breastfed infants. Mothers may take penicillins, cephalosporins, and sulfa drugs as well as many other antibiotics without harm to baby.
 
To determine whether a medication you are taking is compatible with breastfeeding, visit the NIH Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/.
 
You may also wish to purchase the Hale’s Medications & Mother’s Milk App for quick reference on your mobile device.