Drugs and Breastfeeding
When I say drugs and breastfeeding I'm actually talking about a range of things from caffeine, medication, alcohol, smoking and so on.
It's likely that anything you take into your body will be passed onto your baby through your breast milk, so it's something to keep in mind when you are deciding whether to take something that could possibly be harmful to your baby.
If you are breastfeeding for more than 12 months –a wonderful thing to do– it's impossible to expect that you may drink some alcohol or need to take some medication of some kind, and most mums I know can't live without their coffee in the morning!!
I guess the best way to judge what is ok for you and your baby is to be informed about the effects of the substances you're taking on your breast milk and on your baby. Some may effect your breast milk supply and others may effect your baby directly.
There are lots of strategies you can try which will generally allow you to safely consume certain substances while breastfeeding. In many cases it's all about timing, and each substance will vary in the amount of time it takes to leave your breast milk. The links below will take you to specific information on drugs and breastfeeding..
Please always remember to consult your health professional to find out information that is relevant to your specific situation.
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