Baby-Safe Pain Medicine While Breastfeeding

Knowing that whatever you ingest is also ingested by your baby through breastmilk, nursing moms often wonder what is safe to take. Newborns are delicate and should only be ingesting breastmilk or milk specially formulated for their immune systems and growing bodies. Given that, what are the pain relief options? Here are the basics:

SAFE: Ibuprofen is safe for your baby. The amount that gets passed on to the baby is very low and not harmful to the infant. Ibuprofen can be taken for pain and fever management in nursing mothers. Women can take the maximum daily dose so long as they stay away from the “extra strength formulas.”

SAFE: Acetaminophen is safe for your baby. Many women will recognise the name Tylenol, and that is acetaminophen. It can also be taken for pain and fever management in nursing mothers, but unlike ibuprofen it is ideal if the mother refrains from taking the maximum daily dose.

SAFE: Naproxen is also safe for your baby. Some may know the brand name Aleve, which is naproxen. It can be taken for pain management in nursing mothers, and like acetaminophen women should try not to take the maximum daily dose. Additionally, women should try not to use it for pain management too often, opting for one of the other methods instead.

NOT SAFE: Aspirin is not safe for your baby. It is important that mothers look at the active medicine in pain medication to make sure that “aspirin” or the words “acetylsalicylic acid” is not among them. Remember that acetylsalicylic acid is aspirin. Studies have shown that aspirin may increase a child’s chances of developing Reye’s Syndrome, which causes inflammation of the liver and brain. Some people are also allergic to aspirin, and discovering this while in infancy can be problematic to both the child and the mother.

In general, trying more natural methods of pain management is ideal. Other methods of pain management can also be considered, such as staying hydrated, maintaining a good diet, getting enough sleep, applying an ice pack to the painful area, or massaging the painful area. Making sure you stay away from smoking, drinking alcohol, and minimising your caffeine intake can help with pain management as well. A third more natural method is drinking a glass of water after every feed and in-between every feed.

One way to minimise the amount of medicine your baby ingests through breastmilk is to take the medicine after a breastfeeding or pumping session. Since it is around two hours between feeds, your body will have time to metabolise the medicine further and lessen the amount pass on to the baby.

After taking pain medication–and the same applies for other types of medicine–observe your baby’s behaviour. If anything seems unusual about their behaviour, it may be related to the medicine you have taken. Some symptoms to watch out for include: 

• Rashes

• Fussiness

• A lowered appetite

• Change in sleep pattern

Any of these could be a clue or sign of an infant’s adverse reaction to something they have ingested. If an adverse reaction does occur, call your pediatrician.

Remember to read what is on the boxes of all medication. Most medicines will indicate whether or not it is safe for pregnant and/or nursing mothers. Also remember to always consult your doctor before taking any medication or continuing a medication. Your doctor will be the best person to prescribe the right medicine and the right protocols that are safe for you and your baby.