Antibiotics and Breastfeeding
Although we now try very hard to avoid prescribing antibiotics unless essential ( because of the risk that in the future we wont have antibiotics which are as effective against all infections), sometimes they are necessary. The use of antibiotics during breastfeeding often causes disquiet because most of them cause the baby to have loose […]
Nausea and Breastfeeding
One of the more frequently asked questions recently relates to nausea and even vomiting when breastfeeding. It may be due to norovirus, pregnancy (see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/vomiting-in-pregnancy-whilst-still-breastfeeding ) or to stop nausea from medication e.g morphine. I hope this factsheet provides some options. The information is taken from my book Breastfeeding and Medication which provides more details […]
Hypertension (raised blood pressure) and Breastfeeding
Many mothers experience raised blood pressure it seems. Is this due to our busy lifestyles, more mums giving birth at an older age? Who knows but it causes a lot of confusion. The drug normally initiated if a mother has symptoms of pre-eclampsia is labetolol. It is usually continued after delivery until the BP has […]
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Breastfeeding
Many people know that I have had Crohns disease since I was 22 years old – that was when it was officially diagnosed but probably from 4 years before when I was 18 years old. It has had an immense effect on my life firstly medically – I have had 3 bowel resections and been on […]
Endometriosis and Breastfeeding
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to that lining the womb, starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can affect women of any age. The exact number of women who develop endometriosis is unknown. This is because many women have endometriosis without symptoms, or with mild symptoms, […]
Indigestion and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and Breastfeeding
Indigestion (dyspepsia) produces discomfort in the upper stomach, often accompanied by belching and bloating. It is a symptom many of us are familiar with across the Christmas festive period and as a community pharmacist saw most families purchase products in anticipation. Long standing indigestion may be investigated by endoscopy. Symptoms can involve bringing up food […]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and breastfeeding
Irritable bowel disease causes distress to many. This factsheet has been developed from my books and particularly Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions available from Amazon. I hope it helps. wendy@breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk In October 2023 a new paper (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01725-7/fulltext) was published on the use of low dose amitriptyline to treat IBS if anti smasmodic agents have failed […]
Sleep problems when breastfeeding
One of the hardest questions I have to answer. I want to help but I need to keep the breastfed baby safe too See also SPS Treating insomnia during breastfeeding www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/treating-insomnia-during-breastfeeding Sleeping tablets and breastfeeding factsheet Being asked about the safety of sleeping tablets by a breastfeeding mum is probably one of the hardest questions […]
MMR Vaccine and Breastfeeding
As the MMR cases continue to spread I am aware that adults without documented vaccine are being called in to receive their immunisation especially in areas where cases are high like Birmingham and London. If you are breastfeeding you can have the MMR jab and breastfeed as normal. From the Green Book https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e021b9140f0b6665e80187b/Greenbook_chapter_21_Measles_December_2019.pdf “Breast-feeding is […]
Ankylosing spondylitis and Breastfeeding
From my book Breastfeeding and Chronic Medical Conditions available on Amazon “From a slightly alternative angle… I have ankylosing spondylitis, thankfully mild. I used to have quite bad pain and stiffness in the mornings and was fairly reliant on NSAIDs. Since breastfeeding (6 years continuously over 2 children now!) these symptoms are basically gone! I […]