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  1. Home
  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Living well
  4. Birth to five
  5. After the birth of your child
  6. Feeding your baby

Taking medication while breastfeeding

Many illnesses can be treated while you are breastfeeding without harming your baby. Small amounts of whatever medicines you take will pass through your breastmilk to your baby, so always tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are breastfeeding.

Guidance for pregnant women and information on what is happening in their regional unit during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can be found on NI Maternity

Medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding

Medicines that can be taken while breastfeeding include:

  • most antibiotics
  • common painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen (but not aspirin)
  • hay fever medicines such as loratadine and cetirizine
  • cough medicines (provided they don’t make you drowsy)
  • asthma inhalers
  • normal doses of vitamins

If you do need any medication, try to find out before you take it that it is safe to use while breastfeeding. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you.

Potential side effects of your medication

Always watch your baby for any potential side effects from your medication such as:

  • poor feeding
  • change in bowel movements
  • drowsiness and irritability

If you notice your baby showing any side effects, stop taking the medication and get advice from your doctor, pharmacist or health visitor as soon as possible.

You can use some methods of contraception, but not all, so check with your GP or pharmacist before deciding what method is best for you.

It’s fine to have dental treatments, local anaesthetics, injections (including injections for measles, mumps and rubella, tetanus and flu vaccines) and most types of operations. You can also dye, perm or straighten your hair, use fake tan and wear false nails.

Non-prescribed and illegal drugs

 If you are breastfeeding and you take any drugs that have not been prescribed to you, including any illegal drugs, it is very important that you get the right advice. Talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor, as your baby’s health could be at risk.

More useful links

  • Breastfeeding
  • Common problems when breastfeeding your baby
  • Healthy eating for breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding and going back to work
  • Bottle feeding your baby
  • Alcohol and smoking in pregnancy
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Feeding your baby

  • Bottle feeding your baby
  • Breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding and going back to work
  • Common problems when breastfeeding your baby
  • Feeding your baby (aged nine months to a year)
  • Healthy eating for breastfeeding
  • Problems with eating and food allergies in children
  • Taking medication while breastfeeding
  • Weaning your baby

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