Babies Breastfeeding Challenges Breastfeeding, Medications, and Milk Production By Jennifer White Jennifer White has authored parenting books and has worked in childcare and education fields for over 15 years. Learn about our editorial process Jennifer White Reviewed by Reviewed by Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC on August 31, 2020 Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC is a board-certified lactation consultant and founder of Best Milk LA, a lactation consulting service. Learn about our Review Board Rebecca Agi, MS, IBCLC Updated on September 01, 2020 Print KidStock/Blend Images/Getty Images For breastfeeding mothers, it's important to be sure that the medications you take won't harm your baby or affect your ability to produce milk, while also making sure mom is getting the necessary treatment for any illness or symptoms. More and more is being discovered every day about what passes through breast milk while nursing, so be sure that any materials you read or advice you get is from up-to-date, credible and well-informed sources. One of the best sources for information on how medications can affect breast milk is a board-certified lactation consultant. Lactation consultants specialize in human milk production, and more than likely will be able to give you specific information regarding various medications and herbal or holistic supplements, which may also have an impact on your milk supply. You should also speak with your family doctor or obstetrician. Common Medications That May Affect Breast Milk Supply Some women's milk supply can be inhibited by certain medications more than others. You really can't know for certain how a medication will affect you. If you are experiencing issues with milk supply or if you are even mildly concerned about it, then you may want to be more cautious about which medications you take. Some fairly common drugs which may cause a drop in supply are birth control pills which contain estrogen, and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant used to treat nasal, sinus, and eustachian tube congestion. Pseudoephedrine can be found as a single ingredient or in combination with other drugs like antihistamines, guaifenesin, dextromethorphan, paracetamol (acetaminophen), and/or NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). Supply-Friendly Breastfeeding Medications and Alternatives There are progestin birth control pills which may be an option for breastfeeding moms who want or need to take oral birth control. If you are concerned about your supply, speak with your doctor about supply-friendly medications or natural remedies for treating colds and congestion. With natural and holistic remedies, it can be difficult to know which are safe during pregnancy and lactation, since they are not regulated or approved by the Federal Drug Administration. Just because something is labeled as "natural" does not mean it doesn't have side effects. If you aren't sure how a natural remedy will affect you, it's imperative to discuss with a medical professional before beginning any new course of treatment Taking Antidepressants While Breastfeeding There is a fair amount of research suggesting that it may be better for women who take antidepressants to continue taking them during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women with untreated depression may have a harder time producing breast milk, research has found, and the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks of some antidepressants. There are some antidepressants that are compatible with breastfeeding and some that are not. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Paxil (paroxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) transfer to milk at the lowest levels. If you are taking antidepressants, ideally you should discuss your treatment options with your mental health care provider and your obstetrician before becoming pregnant. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Trimeloni L, Spencer J. Diagnosis and management of breast milk oversupply. J Am Board Fam Med. 2016;29(1):139-42. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2016.01.150164 Lopez L, Grey T, Stuebe A, Chen M, Truitt S, Gallo M. Combined hormonal versus nonhormonal versus progestin-only contraception in lactation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(3):CD003988. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd003988.pub2 Lanza di Scalea T, Wisner KL. Antidepressant medication use during breastfeeding. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2009;52(3):483-97. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e3181b52bd6 Additional Reading Hale TW. Medications and Mothers' Milk. Hale Publishing, 2008. Sachs HC. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013;132(3):e796-809. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-1985