Are you a first-time mom who is breastfeeding her little one? Do you worry that taking antibiotics while your baby is still breastfeeding can hurt not just you, but your baby as well? Are you unsure about the safety of taking antibiotics while breastfeeding?
If these questions have you worried, you might want to read our post below. As a breastfeeding mother, it is obvious that you’ll be highly selective about anything that you eat and drink, including medicines. So, if you are looking for answers regarding the safety of taking antibiotics while nursing your baby, scroll down and get them here.
Is It Safe To Take Antibiotics While Breastfeeding?
The practice of treating different conditions with an antibiotic has undergone many changes. Doctors are increasingly wary of the over-exposure to antibiotics, which causes a lack of resistance to germs and disease-causing agents. Unless it is required, your doctor will not prescribe you an antibiotic, especially when you are a breastfeeding, mother.
While you are breastfeeding, your health is extremely important, as any infection that you get may pose a health risk to your baby. Most antibiotics that doctors prescribe breastfeeding mothers are small doses, and your doctor will always take into account that you are feeding your baby. While it is safe to have some antibiotics even when you are breastfeeding, there can be instances when taking certain antibiotics may induce side effects for you or your little one.
While you are taking antibiotics while breastfeeding stage, there is a definite chance of the medication passing onto your infant through your breast milk. In most cases, the dosage will be too small to affect your baby. To make sure that your doctor gives you an antibiotic as a last resource, tell her that you are a breastfeeding mom.
Will All The Antibiotics Pass Into Your Breast Milk?
Almost any medicine that you take will be present in your bloodstream, and will also transfer to your breast milk to some level. The exact amount of medication that will pass into your breast milk will depend on the dosage of the medication that you are taking and how often you take it. In most cases, the medications that you take will be present in your breast milk in small quantities, which will not pose a threat to your baby during breastfeeding. However, there are certain drugs that can become highly concentrated once they come in contact with your breast milk. It is extremely important that your doctor conducts some tests to check your suitability to the antibiotic before she prescribes it.
Will Your Baby’s Age Change The Effect Antibiotics May Have?
While it is true that the amount of dosage your doctor will prescribe you for your antibiotic course is the most crucial bit, but your baby’s age and overall health also plays a crucial role. Being exposed to the medication in your breast milk can have a different effect on your baby depending on age and health. Here are a few pointers that may help you judge the effect of your antibiotic intake on your baby while you are nursing him:
- If your baby was born prematurely and is just a few weeks old, or has a medical issue related to the kidneys, the medication present in your breast milk will have a bigger impact.
- The amount of residual medication that is present in your breast milk will have a comparatively lesser impact on your baby after the age of six months. It will only hold true if your baby is healthy and has no ongoing medical condition. At this age, your baby’s body will be able to metabolize the drugs more effectively and hence the side effects that could otherwise have been a concern will be far less.
- If you continue to breastfeed your baby after your baby has turned one-year-old, the chances are that the amount of milk your body produces is significantly less. It means that your breast milk will hold a very small amount of medicine residue and a very insignificant amount of the same can pass on to your baby while feeding.
- As with the case of breastfeeding after your baby turns one, if you have to take antibiotics during the first three to four days after giving birth, it will also reduce the risk. Once you have given birth to your baby, it takes about three to four days for your body to start producing a good amount of breast milk. It means that even if you are required to be on medication and have started to breastfeed your baby, the amount of residual medicine that may be passed on through your milk will be very nominal.
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Should You Stop Breastfeeding While Taking Antibiotics?
Most medicines are considered to be safe while you are breastfeeding, but it is important to consult your doctor before you take anything. Your doctor will check yours and the baby’s health and will also check the effect of the suggested medication on your breast milk and your baby.
Here are a few pointers that will help you determine whether you should continue breastfeeding while on antibiotics or whether you should talk to your doctor about an alternate solution:
- If you have a chronic disease, your doctor may need to put you on a dose of antibiotics. In such a situation, taking an antibiotic will be important, as you first have to come out of your chronic condition to make sure that both you and your baby are healthy. You may not directly pass on your condition to your baby through your breast milk, but in some cases, being nearby with your baby could also pass it on. In such a situation, taking an antibiotic course will pose lesser health risks than being affected with the condition.
- In case you have to take an antibiotic that could lead to higher levels of medical residue in your breast milk, your doctor will try to first put you on a medication that may have a lower effect, just to see if it is enough to treat you completely. As an alternative, your doctor may suggest you to stop breastfeeding your baby till the course continues if the lower dosage does not work.
- In some cases, your doctor will give you a time frame that will be the best time to feed your baby without any risk of adverse health issues. In some cases, your doctor will suggest that you take the medication right after you have breast-fed your baby, so that you get at least a two to four hour window before you have to breastfeed your baby again.
- Even though it is very rare, your health care provider may suggest that you stop breastfeeding your baby for a few weeks at a stretch or even permanently. Your doctor will give you this advice in case you are suffering from a chronic disease that cannot be treated in a span of just a few weeks. Do not give up hope yet if your doctor asks you to stop breastfeeding for now.
- If you have been asked to give up on breastfeeding your baby, you can still get back to it after a few weeks. In the meanwhile, try and use a breast pump to pump out the milk and then discard it, as it will help to maintain a constant flow of breast milk. Once you are off your medication, and your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can start breastfeeding your baby in the normal way again, as the flow of your breastmilk will not be hampered with the temporary break.
- In some rare case, your doctor will ask you to refrain from breastfeeding your baby. If it happens, speak to your doctor about a good and safe alternative and check on what types of baby milk formulas you can give your baby.
The Health Effects Of Antibiotics On Your Breastfeeding Baby:
While it is mostly safe to take some amount of antibiotics during breastfeeding, it can cause some side effects in your baby. Here are a few common side effects you may notice in your little one as a result of the residual medication in your breast milk:
- Your baby can be affected with sudden loose motions and can even suffer from a bout of diarrhea.
- In some cases, your baby may suffer from discomfort or pain in the tummy and, as a result, be cranky and cry more.
- If your baby suffers from colic, you may notice an increase in your baby’s discomfort and colic symptoms that could be a side effect of the antibiotics you are taking (5).
In most cases, the above symptoms are not serious enough and will go away without any medical intervention. In case, your baby continues to be in discomfort or if you feel it has an effect on your baby’s breastfeeding or sleeping schedule, make sure to speak to your health care provider about it.
What Should You Watch Out For While Taking Antibiotics While Nursing?
If you are put on an antibiotic course while you are still breastfeeding, here are a few symptoms you should watch out for in your baby:
- Check if your baby looks drowsy or is sleeping longer than he does otherwise.
- In some cases, taking a certain type of antibiotic can cause a reduction in your breast milk. If your breast milk supply goes down, your baby will be left hungry and may cry or make sucking motions.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor Before Taking Antibiotics While Breastfeeding:
While you are visiting your doctor for a checkup, it is important to ask the following questions before you are on an antibiotic course:
- Tell your doctor that you are breastfeeding your baby.
- Tell your doctor about your baby’s age and also mention any additional details, such as if your baby was born prematurely or if your baby suffers from any congenital medical conditions.
- Make sure to inform your doctor in case your baby is suffering from any specific health condition at the moment. Also, if your baby is taking any specific medications at this time, make sure to tell the doctor about it and show him earlier prescriptions to avoid any confusion.
- Ask your doctor what is the best time to have the antibiotic so that it has the least amount of effect on your baby during feeding.
- Check with your doctor about any possible symptoms that your baby may show in case there is any effect of the antibiotics. Ask when it is important to get your baby medical care for the same.
- Ask your doctor about all possible alternatives that you can try out before going for the antibiotics. Also, ask for any indication if you can stop taking the medicine for the time being once some initial symptoms are taken care of.
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Article written by Debolina Raja
