Breastfeeding and medications

[mariedonna]

When I am breastfeeding can I pass simple medications(like antibiotics) onto my newborn? :)4

Right now I have strep-throat and so does my 5 month old baby. Will my baby get the antibiotic action also? :)5

Help! :rolleyes:

[Reija]

Yes you can pass antibiotics in your milk to your baby. The general rule is that if the antibiotics are safe to give directly to the baby, they are safe for breastfeeding mothers. Make sure to mention to your doctor that you are breastfeeding. Sulfa- containing antibiotics should be avoided in the newborn period since the newborn's liver is not able to adequately metabolize them.

The traces of antibiotics in you milk won't really give your baby the bacteria killing action but your breastmilk will instead. A drop of breastmilk contains around one million white blood cells that kill germs. When your baby is exposed to a new germ, your body manufactures antibodies to that germ. These antibodies show up in the milk and are passed along to your baby. Many times the baby will not be as sick or get sick at all because of the antibodies in the breastmilk.