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From: http://www.femalepatient.com/pdf/pat_0102.pdf
What are the “ground rules”?
You can make breast-feeding as safe as possible for your baby by taking these steps:
• A medication that is safe for use during pregnancy may not be safe during breast-feeding, so check with your doctor after the baby is born.
• Medications that are safe for an infant to use are generally safe for nursing mothers, but, again, check with your doctor.
• Consider whether your condition (eg, headache, muscle pain, minor cold or allergy) really requires medical therapy: Try to find alternatives such as a heating pad or a cold compress. However, don’t dismiss a severe headache or neglect an illness that could
worsen; you need to be in top form to nurse your baby.
• If you must take medication, choose the one that is safest for the baby. For example, acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) is generally
preferable to aspirin for headaches and muscle pain.
• Whenever possible, use a topical
form of a medication (cream, ointment,
lotion, vaginal or rectal suppository)
instead of an oral form, because less of the topical form will find its way into breast milk.
• Whenever possible, take medication just after nursing.
• If you must use a potentially risky medication, ask your doctor and/or pediatrician about monitoring drug levels in the baby’s blood.
There is way too much to post so check the link for the full document.
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