QUESTION: I'm now eight and one-half months pregnant, and I'm proud to say I've abstained from virtually all my vices and didn't even take an aspirin when I had a headache throughout my pregnancy.
I am going to breast feed and I'm wondering if it's possible for me to have an occasional alcoholic drink or have a cup of coffee once again.
Also, is it safe for me to take aspirin or an antacid?
ANSWER: Congratulations on your exemplary behavior during your pregnancy. You've surely helped your baby during its development by abstaining from everything you've mentioned. The key word in answering your questions about what is permissible while breast feeding is the word occasional.
Although alcohol passes freely into breast milk, moderate ingestion (up to two drinks a day for the mother) will probably have an insignificant effect on your baby.
Binge drinkers and chronic alcoholics, however, should not breast feed unless they abstain from alcohol, as high levels of ethanol have been reported to cause sedation in infants. Caffeine from coffee, colas, tea, chocolate and other sources is excreted into breast milk in low amounts, but tends to accumulate in newborns when the mother ingests a lot of it.
Therefore, you'll be within a relatively safe range if you have less than 5 caffeinated beverages or products daily.
More than that and your baby may become irritable and have poor sleep patterns. When you have a headache, it is permissible to occasionally take aspirin or ibuprofen (nuprin, advil, etc.).
However, if you take aspirin too frequently, your baby might bruise easily. If you need an antacid, choose one in which the main ingredient is aluminum or magnesium, as they are probably safe in minimal use. Other medications to treat various ailments may be permissible while breast feeding, but make sure your doctor knows you are a lactating mom, so he won't prescribe one that is contraindicated.
Timing is critical when taking medicine while breast feeding.
You should breast feed your baby just before taking a drink, having coffee, or any medication, and then delay nursing for four hours.
The drugs or drinks you take will have their highest potency in your milk a half hour to two hours after taking them. To the best of my knowledge, the above information concerns what is "safe".
Being "sure" is something else again, and means continuing the same rigid discipline you have demonstrated throughout your pregnancy.
Perhaps, after all, that would be the best plan of action.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
