Nursing mothers who need to take an antibiotic because of an infection should not avoid it for fear of harming their baby. An untreated infection not only harms the mother, but may also harm the baby. Typically, the baby gets less than 1% of the therapeutic dose of antibiotics that the breastfeeding mother takes. To … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Antibiotics
Antiepileptic drugs (anticonvulsants) affect the central nervous system (CNS). Especially at higher doses or when multiple CNS-acting drugs are taken in combination, restlessness, weakness in drinking, sedation (drowsiness), and other side effects are possible in the breastfed infant. Based on a systemic literature review of antiepileptic drugs in breastfeeding, the following assessment of individual agents … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Antiepileptic Drugs
With breast milk, pathogens can be transmitted and cause the corresponding disease in the children, with different manifestations of the course of the disease. Important pathogens in this context are group B streptococci (GBS). B-streptococci can be detected in the breast milk of approx. 1-3.5% of GBS-positive breastfeeding mothers. GBS sepsis has been observed only … Communicable Diseases in the Breastfeeding Period: B-Streptococci
With breast milk, pathogens can be transmitted and cause the corresponding disease in the children, with different manifestations of the course of the disease. One of the most important pathogens in this context is cytomegalovirus (CMV). It is one of the most common viral diseases transmitted via breast milk. If an infected mother breastfeeds, the … Communicable Diseases in the Breastfeeding Period: Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
With breast milk, pathogens can be transmitted and cause the corresponding disease in the children, with different manifestations of the course of the disease. One of the most important pathogens in this context is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HI viruses and HIV-1-infected lymphocytes can be detected in the mother’s milk. An infection of the … Communicable Diseases in the Breastfeeding Period: HIV
With breast milk, pathogens can be transmitted and cause the corresponding disease in the children, with different manifestations of the course of the disease. Important infections in this context are hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B Infants born to hepatitis B-positive mothers should receive active or passive immunization postnatally (after birth) within the first 12 … Communicable Diseases in the Breastfeeding Period: Hepatitis B and C
Contrast media in radiology Contrast agents are used as part of X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) examinations. They may contain iodine or gadolinium. According to the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) guidelines, breastfeeding can continue normally. The contrast agents do pass into breast milk, but the concentration is far below … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Contrast Media/Radionuclides
If the mother undergoes a procedure that requires general anesthesia, she can breastfeed without restriction after waking if the dosage is within the normal dose range, provided she feels physically as well as mentally fit again and the newborn is healthy and it is not a premature baby. Indications for general anesthesia during the birth … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Narcotics
If a mental illness exists in the woman before pregnancy, the topic “desire for a child” should be discussed with the attending physician in good time, so that pregnancy and lactation compatibility can be taken into account when selecting the medication. Depression and anxiety disorders must also be treated during these periods. Discontinuing an already … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Psychotropic Drugs
Analgesics (painkillers) are among the most commonly used medications during breastfeeding. Often, after taking them, the nursing mother develops fears and worries about whether they might harm the baby. Paracetamol is considered the safest analgesic (painkiller) for mild to moderate pain during breastfeeding. Like ibuprofen, it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen is more … Drugs and Breastfeeding: Painkillers
Normally, cytostatic therapy (cancer therapy) is a long-term therapy of various active substances with many side effects, so breastfeeding must be advised. For the topic of general cytostatic therapy, see the topic “Cytostatics” below.
For all the benefits of breastfeeding, there may be circumstances that put the baby at risk, making it necessary to discontinue or temporarily interrupt breastfeeding. In this case, the risk may come from the mother herself, for example, through the use of medications. Almost every active ingredient passes into breast milk and thus enters the … Drugs and Breastfeeding