by Tonia Sharp

Created on: July 21, 2008

Babies little bodies have different metabolisms than those of adults. When the mother takes prescription or over the counter drugs, some of them are absorbed into the breast milk. If you are still nursing your child and those drugs get into the breast milk, the baby can ingest those drugs into their systems. Unfortunately, the baby can not handle these drugs that are designed for adults.

It is extremely important if you are breast feeding your infant, you speak to your obstetrician, primary care physician, and the child's pediatrician so that they are aware of this fact. If you go to any doctor while you are still nursing the baby, be sure that you make them aware that you are nursing so that they do not prescribe any medication that contradicts with breastfeeding an infant.

I am sure that most of you are aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes breastfeeding as the best way to feed your infant. One reason that most women stop breastfeeding is they are told by their doctors that they should stop because of the medications they need to prescribe medication that can not be taken while nursing. This advice may not be so warranted. It is now found that most drugs likely to be prescribed by a doctor should have no effect on the milk supply.

In 1983 there was a statement on the transfer of drugs and chemicals into human milk published. This statement has been revised several times over the years. It is constantly revised as more information and research is done on the drugs and how they affect the baby and the breast milk.

In a previous publication of this statement, smoking was placed on the list of those that are contraindicated during breastfeeding. Smoking will cause a decrease in milk production, weight gain in the infant, and the smoke can cause the baby to be more prone allergies, ear infections and respiratory problems.

Women that are breastfeeding should avoid the use of some over the counter drugs. Aspirin is one of the drugs that should be avoided. Always check the labels of any over the counter drugs before taking them. If you are unsure, ask the pharmacists or call you primary care physician.

Many women will go through some depression after giving birth. It can range in severity from the "baby blues" to "post partum depression." If you experience any of these problems, you should contact your doctor immediately. The doctor will likely prescribe some kind of antidepressant. One that is most commonly prescribed to nursing mothers is Zoloft. It has no adverse affects on the milk or the infant. Other anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, and neuroleptic drugs do not have effects on the infant with exception of a few such as: Fluoxetine, Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Amiodarone and Clofazimine.

Fluoxetine can cause colic, irritability, feeding and sleep disorders and slow weight gain.
Chlorpromazine can cause drowsiness and lethargy in the infant as well as decline in developmental scores.
Haloperidol also causes decline in developmental scores
Amiodarone can cause possible hypothyroidism.
Clofazimine has a potential for transfer of high percentage of maternal dosage to the infant as well as possible increase in skin pigmentation.

In conclusion, it is highly important that you let your doctor know that you are breast feeding prior to accepting any prescription medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacists before taking any kind of over the counter drug as well.

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