Hervey Bay Local Health News

Some medicines or drugs taken by nursing mothers may affect the baby through the mother’s milk. Medicines and drugs include prescription and non-prescription medicines, herbal medicines, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine and illegal drugs.

The use of any medicine or drug while breastfeeding must be thought about carefully, weighing up all the pros and cons. When breastfeeding, always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine or drug.

RISKS
Some medicines or drugs can pass to the baby through the mother’s milk.

This may:

• make the baby restless or irritable
• cause vomiting and diarrhoea in the baby
• affect the suckling reflex of the baby

The medicine or drug may also lessen the mother’s milk supply.The benefit to the mother of taking the medicine or drug must be weighed up against the potential risks to the baby.

SELF CARE

•  Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine , whether
  prescription or non-prescription.
• Only take medicines that are prescribed for you.
• If you have to take a medicine while breast-feeding, have the baby checked regularly for any adverse effects that may occur.
• Take any medicines straight after the baby has fed to ensure the lowest level of medicine in the milk at the next feed.
• Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. If you do smoke now is the time to quit - talk to your pharmacist and read the Smoking Fact Cards.
• Don’t worry if you must take a medicine - your continued good health is important for successful breastfeeding.
• Remember that breastfeeding has nutritional, emotional, physical and practical benefits for you and your baby.

Contact:
Your doctor - listed under Medical Practitioners in the yellow pages of the phone book.

Nursing Mothers Association of Australia - listed under ‘N’ in the white pages of the phone book.

Dietitians Associations - listed under ‘D’ in the white pages of your capital city phone book.

Beachside or Kawungan Pharmacies - our contact details are here.

In case of poisoning, phone the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.

Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask your pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine