The safest NSAID to take while nursing is ibuprofen (sold as Advil and Motrin) because the amount transferred to your baby is very low. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) include all oral OTC pain relievers except Tylenol. If you notice anything unusual or worrisome, call your doctor.Īcetaminophen (Tylenol) is given to babies for fever and pain relief, so is considered safe for nursing moms. These can include sleepiness, rashes, diarrhea, or fussiness. When you take any medicine, watch for physical or behavioral changes in your baby.Read the label carefully to find out what symptoms the medicine treats, and ask the pharmacist if you have any questions. For example, if you need a cough suppressant, don't buy one that also includes a decongestant. Use single ingredient medicines rather than multi-symptom formulas whenever possible.Always try to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Don't use extra-strength or sustained-release medicines - they remain in your bloodstream and milk supply much longer than medicine you need to take frequently.That way you won't be nursing when the medicine is at its peak in your bloodstream. Take medicines either right after nursing or two to four hours before nursing.For example, Advil Cold and Sinus contains ibuprofen to help alleviate a sinus headache, but it also contains pseudoephedrine, which you may not want to take if you're nursing. Check the label to see what the 'active ingredient' is - it may not be what you think.If a medicine is commonly prescribed for infants, it's probably safe to take while nursing, because the amount the baby will get through breast milk is much less than a typical dose.That way you'll know if the combination adds any risk. Be sure to tell your pharmacist about all the medicine or herbs you're taking, not just the one you have a question about. If you can't reach your doctor, ask the pharmacist at your drugstore.Always check with your doctor before you take anything - whether the medicine you're taking is from a prescription, an over-the-counter medicine you picked up at the drugstore, or an herbal remedy.Usually these medicines aren't passed along in large enough quantities to do harm - experts at the Cleveland Clinic estimate that 1 percent or less of the dose you take will be contained in your breast milk. But it can also contain some unwelcome added ingredients if you're taking medicine for a cold or other ailment. It contains all the nutrients your baby needs in just the right balance, and it passes along the natural antibodies you've acquired, too, so your little one's immune system gets off to a good start. Breast milk is the perfect food for babies.

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