We have written before about how women often do not get the support they need to consider all options when they encounter a physiological breastfeeding issue. When it comes to medications, the issue is not a lack of information. Published research exists regarding the safety of a range of medications, yet this information is largely missing from medical training.
Some medics work on the basis that during pregnancy certain medications are known to be harmful to the developing baby. But the placenta and breast are very different organs. Often medications can’t get into breastmilk, and if they do the level in milk is so low that it would be no harm to the baby, or, in terms of health risks, the baby is still better off being breastfed than not.
Professional support
Our research also found that some health professionals underestimate the importance of breastfeeding to women. Many women recalled how they felt dismissed by health professionals, who simply recommended formula feeding, with little consideration as to whether the woman herself wanted to stop breastfeeding.
We asked women how they felt before and after they had received advice from the service and the impact was stark. Among other things, they felt less anxious, more confident and more informed. For some, this was due to relief at being able to continue breastfeeding. For others, it was because they felt that someone had finally listened to them. Even in the small number of cases when women were told that unfortunately their medication was unsuitable for breastfeeding, their anxiety was also reduced because somebody listened.
We know that breastfeeding protects the health of mothers and infants yet some medical professionals are giving incorrect information – or simply a lack of information – to many thousands of women a year. This is yet another example of how the UK government promotes breastfeeding yet does not protect breastfeeding women and it’s time this changed. Medical professionals need in-depth evidenced-based education, training and resources to accurately advise those mothers who are prescribed medication.
If you are a mother with a query about breastfeeding and medications, you can find information on the Breastfeeding Network website. Though we do recommend that you speak to your doctor about any specific health issue, the Drugs in Breastmilk service can help with any queries over prescribed medication. In any event, always seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist before taking medication while breastfeeding.
Amy Brown, Professor of Child Public Health, Swansea University; Gretel Finch, Postdoctoral Researcher, Maternal and Infant Nutrition and Behaviour, University of Bristol, and Heather Trickey, Research Fellow in Public Health and Parenthood, DECIPHer, Cardiff University.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
