Is it safe? Answers to your top breastfeeding worries

Your baby is now consuming mommy’s milk for growth and development. Your breastmilk meets all the nutritional requirements that a baby needs. Everything that you take into your body has the potential to impact your baby’s health as well. Is it safe to drink coffee? Is it okay if I lose weight post pregnancy quickly? These are a few questions that may have lingered through every breastfeeding mom’s mind. Here, we answer all such queries and worries about breastfeeding.

Is It Safe To Take Medications While Breastfeeding?

Almost all medication that is present in your blood can pass into your breastmilk (1). But its extent may vary. Most medications pass in a very low amount and pose no real risk to your baby. Remember that each medication is different as there are some that can pass into your breastmilk in higher concentrations. Always talk to to your doctor before you take any medications. They might recommend a safe alternative or ask you to temporarily stop breastfeeding if needed.

Is It Safe To Try Losing Weight While I’m Breastfeeding?

If you are planning to lose those extra pounds through dieting – don’t! It’s best to not think about dieting for about 6 weeks post pregnancy (2). You need to eat a well-balanced diet during this period. Sleep well, eat healthy and start working out slowly if your doctor gives you the thumbs up. Aim for gradual weight loss, ideally about 1-2 pounds each week. You can take your time and lose the baby weight in a year, there’s no need to rush.

Is It Okay To Take Birth Control Pills While Breastfeeding?

Most doctors would recommend waiting until the 6^th week check up before you start becoming intimate with your partner (3). When it comes to birth control pills, it’s important to know that they are of two types. The first type is the combination pill which includes both the hormones progestin and estrogen. Estrogen can affect the milk supply in mothers, causing lower milk supply. Combination pills may also lead to blood clots in the first few weeks post pregnancy. The second type is called the mini-pill and contains only progestin. The mini-pill, however, is considered absolutely safe as it doesn’t affect the milk supply at all.

Is It Safe To Take Painkillers For Breastfeeding Moms?

Narcotic painkillers such as codeine, propoxyphene (Darvon), and oxycodone (Oxycontin) may cause some serious health problems to your baby (4). So, steer clear of those while you are breastfeeding. There are some safer options for pain relief that include acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). But always get your doctor’s advice before you take any pain relieving drug for yourself.

Can I Drink Coffee While I’m Breastfeeding? If So, How Much Is Too Much?

Yes, you can. But avoid drinking more than 3 cups of coffee (5). The caffeine content which is present in your breast milk can distress your baby and can interfere with their sleep pattern as well. Remember that caffeine can be present in chocolate, candy bars, and soft drinks. You can also switch to decaf version as it tastes quite similar.

Will Having A Drink Once In A While Affect My Baby While I’m Breastfeeding?

There’s no amount of alcohol that’s considered safe while breastfeeding (6). So, there’s no data suggesting how much alcohol in the breastmilk can affect your baby. If you choose to have a drink, make sure that there’s no alcohol content in your milk before you start breastfeeding. About 12 ounces of 5% beer, 5 ounces of 11% wine, and 1.5 ounces of 40% liquor usually takes about 2 to 3 hours to leave your system. Similarly, pumping the breastmilk and dumping it doesn’t speed up the process of eliminating alcohol from your body. Your best bet is to play safe and avoid alcohol or you can have an occasional drink and wait for several hours before you start breastfeeding again.

We hope that we were able to clear all your questions related to breastfeeding. If there are any more questions, do let us know in the comments section below.

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