Breastfeeding is universally recognized as the preferred method of infant nutrition, but is sometimes abbreviated because of fear of harm to the infant from maternal medication.
Parents
Many common medications are considered safe to take while breastfeeding. However, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist before taking any medication, especially prescription medications, to ensure it’s safe for both you and your baby.
According to Dr. Thomas Hale, author of Medications and Mother’s Milk, “most drugs do not enter milk in levels that are hazardous to a breastfed infant.” However, it is important to check reliable sources for up-to-date research-based information.
Infant Risk Hotline and Website – https://www.infantrisk.com/
Lactmed, US National Institutes of Health’s Drugs and Lactation Database https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/newtoxnet/lactmed.htm
The MommyMeds App is an excellent health & safety app for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Ensure safe breastfeeding and care of your baby while using prescription and over-the-counter medications. You can scan the barcodes of thousands of medications and receive immediate, easy-to-understand information on drug safety and ingredients.
Healthcare Professionals
The amount of medication that enters breast milk varies based on the maternal serum concentration and the pharmacologic properties of the medication.
Hale’s Medications & Mothers’ Milk is an excellent resource for safe medication practices during breastfeeding. Available as a hardcover book or online subscription, Medications & Mothers Milk offers the most current, evidence-based information available, maintaining its reputation as the definitive standard for medication safety in lactation.
It addresses the use of radiopharmaceuticals, chemotherapeutic agents, and vaccines in breastfeeding mothers, and covers adult concerns, methods of reducing risk to infants, and infant monitoring.
Lactation Risk Categories Explained
Drs. Thomas Hale and Kaytlin Krutsch have performed extensive research on the effects of medications in mother’s milk. They have given each medication a rating from Safest (L1) to Hazardous (L5).
L1 Safest: Extensive evidence demonstrating no adverse effects on the infant
L2 Safer: Limited evidence without an increase in adverse effects on the infant
L3 Probably Safe: No studies, but expert opinion suggesting safety. Risk to the infant is possible, and further evaluation must be taken to consider individual situations.
L4 Possibly Hazardous: Positive evidence or expert opinion of risk to the infant or milk production.
L5 Hazardous: Significant and documented risk to the infant. Contraindicated Lactation Risk Categories (LRC), which provide essential insight, listing safe medication alternatives that can be used now or in the future.
InfantRisk for Healthcare Professionals
The InfantRisk App gives healthcare providers fast, convenient access to up-to-date and evidence-based information about prescription and non-prescription medications and their safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Safety Ratings & Information
Reliable safety ratings and other information on more than 20,000 drugs.
Drug Recommendations by Condition
Major lists of appropriate drugs for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers for various conditions like headache, nausea, and allergies.
Medication Search Search by product name and/or sort by category to obtain product safety information and indicate if that product is safe for use.