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Yearly Archives: 2025
Bowel cleansing before colonoscopy and breastfeeding
Just recently I have been contacted by several mothers who were told that they cant breastfeeding during the 24 hour period of bowel prep prior to a colonoscopy or for 24 hours following the procedure under sedation. This is not supported by research and understanding of the pharmacokinetics of the drugs used. It is also […]
Constipation, laxatives and breastfeeding
Having nursed my husband post-op this week the topic of laxatives is at the fore front of my mind particularly after opioid analgesics! But also very relevant post birth particularly after a c section or instrumental delivery What is constipation: It’s likely to be constipation if: The most common causes of constipation include: Constipation is […]
Levonorgestrel as emergency hormonal contraception (morning after pill) and breastfeeding
Levonelle™ (levonorgestrel), when originally marketed was licensed to be given to women during breastfeeding. However, the patient information leaflet in the packet now suggests that women should not breastfeed for 8 hours. This is not supported by research and breastfeeding can continue as normal. The tablet should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected […]
Lactose in medication and lactose intolerance
Over the years I have had many questions from mothers about the lactose content of their medication and how this might affect their CMPA babies by passage through breastmilk. If a breastfeeding mother is taking a tablet which contains lactose it is unlikely to affect the levels of lactose in her milk and therefore produce […]
H Pylori and Breastfeeding
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the most common causes of peptic ulcer disease, with 95% of duodenal and 70–80% of gastric ulcers associated with it. Treatment aims to eradicate H. pylori with a relatively short course of 2 high dose antibiotics together with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drug such as such […]
Oral Morphine and Breastfeeding
Morphine is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) prescribed when paracetamol and ibuprofen provide inadequate pain relief. Other opioid painkillers include codeine (not recommended in breastfeeding but see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/accidental-dose-of-codeine-when-breastfeeding ), dihydrocodeine ( see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/dihydrocodeine-and-breastfeeding) , oxycodone ( see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/oxycodone-and-breastfeeding) and Tramadol (see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/tramadol-and-breastfeeding) See also https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/pain-relief-when-breastfeeding. All of these drugs can cause constipation so should be prescribed […]
Tramadol and Breastfeeding
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) prescribed when paracetamol and ibuprofen provide inadequate pain relief. Other opioid painkillers include codeine (not recommended in breastfeeding but see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/accidental-dose-of-codeine-when-breastfeeding ), dihydrocodeine ( see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/dihydrocodeine-and-breastfeeding) , oxycodone ( see Oxycodone and Breastfeeding – Breastfeeding and Medication) and morphine ( https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/pain-relief-when-breastfeeding). All of these drugs can cause constipation so […]
Oxycodone and Breastfeeding
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) prescribed when paracetamol and ibuprofen provide inadequate pain relief. Other opioid painkillers include codeine (not recommended in breastfeeding but see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/accidental-dose-of-codeine-when-breastfeeding ), dihydrocodeine ( see https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/dihydrocodeine-and-breastfeeding) , tramadol and morphine . ( https://breastfeeding-and-medication.co.uk/fact-sheet/pain-relief-when-breastfeeding). All of these drugs can cause constipation so should be prescribed with a suitable laxative ( […]
Folic Acid and Breastfeeding
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin of the B group. It is found naturally in green vegetables, legumes and citric fruits. It is actively secreted in breast milk with concentration higher in mature milk compared to colostrum (Cooperman JM, Dweck HS, Newman LJ, Garbarino C, Lopez R. The folate in human milk. Am J Clin […]