What pain relievers can you take while breastfeeding?

Understanding Pain Relievers During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often face the challenge of managing pain while ensuring the safety of their infants. It’s crucial to understand which pain relievers are considered safe during this period and how they can affect both the mother and the breastfeeding baby.
Safe Pain Relievers for Breastfeeding Mothers
When it comes to pain management for breastfeeding mothers, several options are deemed safe:
1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
– Usage: Acetaminophen is commonly recommended for mild to moderate pain relief, including headaches, muscle aches, and postpartum pain.
– Safety: It is considered safe during breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk in small amounts that are unlikely to harm the baby.
2. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
– Usage: Ibuprofen is another non-prescription option effective for inflammation and pain, such as that resulting from dental work or injuries.
– Safety: This medication is also safe for breastfeeding mothers, with minimal transfer into breast milk. It is often preferred for its anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Naproxen (Aleve)
– Usage: Naproxen can be used for longer-lasting pain relief, particularly for conditions like arthritis or menstrual cramps.
– Safety: While it is generally recognized as safe, some experts suggest using it cautiously due to its longer half-life. It’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before use.
Caution with Other Medications
While several pain relievers are safe, others should be approached with caution:
– Aspirin: This is not recommended during breastfeeding due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome in children, a serious condition that can cause liver and brain damage.
– Prescription Pain Medications: Opioids, such as codeine or oxycodone, should only be used under strict medical supervision. They can pass into breast milk and may cause respiratory depression in infants.
Factors to Consider
When taking any medication while breastfeeding, mothers should consider the following:
– Dosage: Always adhere to the recommended dosage to minimize risks.
– Timing: Taking medication right after breastfeeding can reduce the amount of drug present in breast milk during the next feeding.
– Infant’s Age and Health: Younger infants may be more sensitive to medications, so it’s important to consider their age and any health issues.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding mothers have several pain relief options available, primarily acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which are safe and effective choices. However, it’s essential to stay informed and consult healthcare providers when considering any medications, especially those that are less commonly used or that require prescriptions. By doing so, mothers can manage their pain effectively while ensuring the safety and well-being of their infants.

What medications cannot be given while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate.
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
• aspirin for pain relief.

What painkiller is safe postpartum?

After caesarean section or assisted delivery, we recommend you take ibuprofen 400 mg four times a day as well as paracetamol regularly for a few days. It is safe to take ibuprofen at the same time as paracetamol. Do not take more than 1200mg ibuprofen in 24 hours without medical advice.

Is Extra Strength Tylenol OK when breastfeeding?

Acetaminophen is a good choice for analgesia, and fever reduction in nursing mothers. Giving acetaminophen and ibuprofen on a fixed schedule for 24 hours after vaginal delivery appears to increase the breastfeeding rate.

What painkillers can I take while breastfeeding for tooth pain?

Paracetamol is a first-choice painkiller during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk in very small amounts. The amount of paracetamol your baby gets is far less than what they would get from a dose of paracetamol given to them directly.

Does breastfeeding affect mother’s teeth?

It increases the risk of tooth decay.
Many breastfeeding mothers develop tooth decay and cavities, even from pregnancy. The cause of this can be one of multiple things. Some breastfeeding mothers vomit a lot due to numerous factors. Vomit washes the teeth with stomach acid, which erodes the enamel.

What can I take for a headache while breastfeeding?

Women with migraine may be concerned about breastfeeding due to fears of exposing the baby to medication. However, many medications can be safely taken during breastfeeding, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), and sumatriptan (Imitrex).

Is ibuprofen or Tylenol safer for breastfeeding?

Your baby receives very little of the medication in your milk, and very few meds will affect your milk supply. Tylenol and ibuprofen are fine to take for pain relief and fever, for example. For allergies and colds, most antihistamines are okay, but some decongestants can decrease your milk supply.

What pain medication is safe for breastfeeding?

What medications are safe to take while breastfeeding?

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others) — short-term use only.

Can I take Tylenol complete while breastfeeding?

Many medicines are safe to use when you breastfeed. These include: Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

Does ibuprofen decrease milk supply?

Experiencing pain and discomfort is common after childbirth. Many women want to take medicine to help relieve their symptoms but may feel uncertain about which medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. Luckily, ibuprofen has been proven safe for both mother and baby during breastfeeding.