Can I stay on my SCI medications and breastfeed at the same time?
The common medications used in women with SCI could go through the blood milk barrier into the milk, and many effects of medication on breastfeeding babies are not known. Speak with your health care team as each drug will need to be assessed of its risks compared to its benefits for you and for your baby.
The American Pediatric Association has suggested some medication tips around breastfeeding for all women, which we have quoted below:
Breastfeeding and Medication Tips
Many effects of medications on breastfeeding babies simply are not known. Due to this, only take a medication when absolutely needed, at the lowest dose, and for the shortest time possible.
When possible, take medications that are given only once a day right after a feeding when your baby will have the longest period without nursing; for many women this is the last feeding of the night before the baby’s bedtime.
Watch your baby for side effects such as sleepiness, irritability, other potential or known reactions of the medication.
Avoid long-acting, extended-release, and combination forms of medications when possible. Shorter-acting medications are removed from your body more quickly, and single medications give you greater flexibility in dosing.
Only water-soluble cream or gel products should be applied to the breast because ointments may expose the baby to high levels of mineral paraffins via licking.
Special precautions may be needed in preterm (premature) babies, due to their size and organ systems that are even less developed than a regular term baby.
Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits of any medication prescribed while you are breastfeeding, or any medication you choose from over-the-counter options that do not require a prescription.
When more than one medication or a combination medication is used, follow the breastfeeding recommendations for the most problematic medication.
Recommendation:
Consult your health care team for advice about what medications to use, adjust, or discontinue while breastfeeding.
