It’s important for lactation consultants to understand the various types of medications that can affect breastfeeding persons. Some medication types are crucial for their health, but one must consider the possible impact these medications may have on lactation. Below, we highlight the most common medication types that new or breastfeeding persons may use and discuss their potential effects.

What Are Medications?

Medications are substances used to treat or prevent diseases or health conditions. They can range from over-the-counter drugs such as pain relievers and cold medicine to prescription medications that a patient’s physician prescribes for a specific condition.

Common Types of Medications

There are various types of medications that breastfeeding persons may be taking, including:

• Antibiotics: These are used to treat infections such as mastitis. They can be passed to the baby through the breast milk.
• Antidepressants: These are commonly used to treat postpartum depression and anxiety. Some may be safe to take while breastfeeding, but consulting with a doctor is important.
• Pain medication: This includes prescription opioids and over-the-counter pain relievers. These medications can also be passed through breast milk.

Effects on Lactation

Certain medications can have an effect on lactation, either by decreasing milk supply or affecting the quality of breast milk. Antibiotics and pain medication, for example, are known to decrease milk production. Antidepressants may also cause a decrease in milk supply or affect the baby’s sleep patterns.

Consult With a Health Care Professional

If a breastfeeding person needs to take medication, it’s important for them to consult with a health care professional. This can include their doctor or a certified lactation consultant. These professionals can provide personalized advice and recommendations based on the specific medication and individual circumstances.

Lactation Consultant Supplies

As a professional, you may want to have certain lactation consultant supplies on hand to help people who may be taking medications while breastfeeding. Various supplies can not only support one’s breastfeeding experience but also equip them with the skills and tools they need to navigate breastfeeding. These supplies include but are not limited to:

• Breast pumps: These can help someone maintain their milk supply if they’re unable to nurse.
• Nipple shields: These may be helpful if the breast milk undergoes any changes in taste or smell due to medication.
• Alternative feeding devices: In some cases, medication may make a baby too drowsy to nurse effectively. An alternative feeding device or method such as a manual breast pump, cup feeding, or syringe feeding may be necessary.

Cascade Health Care’s Lactation Support

Staying informed and educated about medication types and their impact on lactation is important. By having open communication with health care professionals and being prepared with the right supplies, you can support patients in making informed decisions about their health while they’re breastfeeding.

Cascade Health Care offers a wide range of lactation support supplies to educate mothers and assist professionals on their breastfeeding journeys. Shop our comprehensive selection today to equip yourself with the right tools.