Drug Information Q&A Q24. If a mother takes a drug while breastfeeding, will it affect her baby?
Answer
When a mother takes a drug, its ingredients pass through the bloodstream to the breast milk and may affect the baby.
Explanation
A baby (infant) can consume as much as 800 to 1000 cc of breast milk per day. This is almost the same amount as a regular carton of milk, so the baby has a large appetite despite its small size, but this is not surprising considering that it gets all of its nutrition from breast milk.
Breast milk contains not only nutrients but also various antibodies that kill pathogens.
It also fosters affection between mother and child. By swallowing breast milk, the baby naturally acquires the ability to protect itself from disease.
When a mother takes a drug, depending on the type of drug, a portion of the drug's ingredients enter the mother's milk. The percentage of the drug that makes it into breast milk depends on the ingredients of the drug. However, it is important to note that even a small percentage of the drug tends to have a strong effect on the baby because the baby's ability to process the drug is still weak and the amount of protein in the blood is low.
In addition, although you may think that over-the-counter drugs are safe, there are many ingredients of commonly used drugs such as fever reducers, pain relievers, and sleeping pills that can easily enter breast milk. Considering that most of these ingredients are contained in most cold remedies, even cold remedies can be dangerous for the baby if used with easy judgment.
When a nursing mother falls ill and receives medication at the hospital, she may be told by the doctor to stop breastfeeding for a while and switch to artificial nutrition (formula milk, etc.). This may be a difficult choice for a mother who is trying to breastfeed her baby, but depending on the type of drug, it may be possible to switch to a drug that has less impact on the baby. The first step is to talk to your doctor about your desire to continue breastfeeding.
However, if the mother's treatment is a priority, it may be necessary to use the drug. Considering the effects of the drug on the baby, it is important to follow the doctor's instructions without overreacting.
Chart/Column
24｜The Function of Breast Milk
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