Balancing the Use of Medications while Breastfeeding.

This peer-reviewed article discusses the safety of medications used by breastfeeding mothers and their effects on infants. It explains that most medications are compatible with breastfeeding and that drug transfer into breast milk is typically subclinical. The document recommends that mothers generally continue breastfeeding and highlights the Drugs and Lactation Database as a key resource for evaluating medication safety during lactation.

Key points

• Breast milk is identified as the most beneficial nutrition for infants
• Most medications are suitable for use in breastfeeding mothers
• The dose of most drugs transferred into milk is often subclinical
• Mothers should frequently be advised to continue breastfeeding despite medication use
• The Drugs and Lactation Database is the most comprehensive source for medication safety information during breastfeeding

Limitations

The document is a brief overview without specific medication examples, clinical data, or discussion of exceptions where breastfeeding may not be recommended. It does not provide information on how the recommendations apply to specific maternal conditions or drug classes.