When a mother becomes ill, she does not need to interrupt breastfeeding for fear that she may make her baby sick. Breast milk passes immunity to the baby in many circumstances. Frequent hand washing and wearing a mask can decrease the risk of contagiousness.

If you are nursing while ill, it is generally best to avoid most medications. If you wish to take medicine, the following medicines may be taken safely (at the recommended dose) without risk to your baby:

For fever: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen

For colds: Sudafed; nasal sprays (eg. Afrin, Neosynephrin); Benadryl (Other antihistamines may be given, but there may be a slight decrease in mother's milk supply)

For pain: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, codeine, Demerol, Naprosyn

For infection: Antibiotics do not usually produce adverse effects in breast-fed infants.

You may take: Penicillins (eg. Amoxicillin), Ceclor, Cefzil, Lorabid, Suprax, Cefdinir, Keflex, Augmentin

Please call our office if you have any questions about the medications you are taking while breastfeeding.