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 Centre for Addictionand Mental Health |
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About Mental Health & Addictions
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Part II - Is It Safe for My Baby While I'm Breastfeeding?In this section:
This section of the booklet will give you the information you need to begin understanding what is safe for your baby while breastfeeding. While the information in this booklet is a good starting point, it should not replace the advice women can get from their health care provider. In fact, women may want to use this booklet to prepare themselves for more in-depth talks with their doctor, midwife or pharmacist. Your health care professional (e.g., doctor, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, certified lactation consultant) and the Motherisk Information Line (416-813-6780) are the best sources of advice and information about the safety of medications, alcohol and other substances while breastfeeding. Tell health care providers what medications and other substances you are taking. If you are breastfeeding, it’s important to tell all your health care providers about any substances you may have swallowed, inhaled or used on your skin. This is because chemicals can enter the body through the skin, gums, vagina and lungs, as well as through the stomach. Tell health care providers about use of:
This information should be shared with everyone who is prescribing, supplying and giving medications; in other words, doctors, midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, pharmacists, dentists and any other professionals involved in your care. Some women worry that their drug use will be reported. If your health care provider has concerns that there may be physical or emotional harm to your child because of your drug use while caring for your child (including breastfeeding), he or she has a legal responsibility to report this to children’s protection agencies, such as the Children’s Aid Society (CAS). If you are concerned about your health care provider’s legal or ethical responsibility, discuss this issue with him or her. Your health care provider can also connect you with services to help you. Ask if the medication or substances you are taking can affect your breastfeeding baby. There are only a few prescribed and over-the-counter medications that a breastfeeding mother can NOT take. A doctor, pharmacist or lactation consultant can help you decide whether or not to take a certain drug while breastfeeding, or how to manage breastfeeding while taking that drug. In some cases, you may decide not to breastfeed. It is best to talk with someone who has the most current information. It is always safest not to take any illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco or caffeine while breastfeeding. Ask about different ways to take medication while breastfeeding. It is important for mothers of infants to be healthy; stopping prescribed medication (e.g., antidepressants to treat post-partum depression and anxiety) is usually not the answer. It is always important to tell your health care professional whether or not you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Some types of medications may be safer than others during breastfeeding and can be used instead of your regular medication. For example, some medications do not stay in your system as long as others, which would allow them to leave your body before feedings. Other options for reducing any possible negative effects of a drug would be to take the medication just after breastfeeding, as the level in the breast milk would be relatively low at that time. You could also use a breast pump just before taking your dose of the medication — when the amount of the drug in your system is at its lowest. If you need to take medication that is unsafe for the baby, but the treatment lasts only for a limited period, you may be able to start breastfeeding again when the prescription is finished. You can do this by continuing to pump breast milk during your treatment period to keep your milk supply up. You would need to throw away the milk pumped during this period. For example, if — for seven days — you had to take a drug that would be unsafe for your baby, you might decide that that period of time is manageable for you to pump breast milk, without giving it to the baby. It’s a personal choice. Only in rare cases is breastfeeding not recommended. It’s safest to stop use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs while breastfeeding. Many people are trained to help you deal with a substance use problem. A family doctor, spiritual leader, nurse, social worker, counsellor and others working in social services and public health are great people to contact initially — either to offer help directly or to give you details about the services available in your community. Many find it difficult to stop using alcohol and other drugs. If you need information about treatment resources, contact:
If you need information about a specific drug or chemical, call:
For information about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, alcohol and substance use, call:
Share information with all your health care providers. Because of confidentiality issues, you can’t assume that the information you tell one health care provider will automatically be shared with another. Mental health information cannot be shared unless you give signed consent. It’s your responsibility to share information that affects the health of you and your baby with your doctor, lactation consultant and all other health care providers. This includes information about alcohol, tobacco and any other prescription, over-the-counter medication or illegal drug you may be taking. For further information about cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation while pregnant and breastfeeding, contact a cancer treatment specialist or Motherisk. |
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Last updated: Dec 29, 2006 5:09 PM Published: Oct 26, 2009 5:25 PM ID#P18684 |