Breastfeeding and Medication

This new edition outlines the evidence-base for the use of medication during breastfeeding. It presents an expanded and updated guide to the most frequently prescribed drugs and their safety for breastfeeding mothers. Evaluating the evidence for interventions and using a simple format for quickly identifying medications which are safe or unsafe to use, it also highlights those drugs where there is inconclusive evidence. Additional contextual information – including material on the biology of the breast, chronic conditions, conditions related to lactation, and how to effectively support mothers – makes this the most complete text for practitioners who support and treat breastfeeding women.

Sadly, women often feel they have no alternative but to give up breastfeeding, having been prescribed or purchased medication. In many cases, however, this is unnecessary. This book outlines the evidence base for the use of medication during breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding and Medication presents a comprehensive A to Z guide to the most frequently prescribed drugs and their safety for breastfeeding mothers. Evaluating the evidence for interventions and using a simple format for quickly identifying medications that are safe or unsafe to use, it also highlights those drugs where there is inconclusive evidence. Additional contextual information makes this the most complete text for those practitioners who support and treat breastfeeding women. It:

• provides an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the breast together with hormonal influences to better understand how complications, such as mastitis, arise and inform the approach to their treatment;
• includes a section on conditions that affect women specifically when they are lactating where prescription of medication may be necessary;
• discusses the importance of breastfeeding and its advantages, as well as its disadvantages; and
• explores how to support breastfeeding mothers, and presents a counselling model approach.

This new edition contains information on more drugs and a chapter on the management of some chronic conditions which may affect breastfeeding mothers. In most cases there are options to support the mother’s optimal care whilst allowing her to continue to breastfeed her baby as long as she wishes. This is a topic which raises many questions on social media, which informed the choice of conditions to consider.

This is an invaluable reference for all health practitioners and volunteers who work with, support and treat breastfeeding women, including lactation consultants, breastfeeding support workers, health visitors, GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists and midwives.