WEANING FOR MEDICAL REASONS

If your doctor decides you need to take a drug (medicine) for a medical condition, make sure that they know how important it is for you to continue breastfeeding and check to see if a breastfeeding compatible drug can be used. You may not need to wean permanently, or at all. Do your own research, or get a second opinion from another doctor/hospital, if necessary.

​

There are very few medications that don’t work with breastfeeding. The main exceptions are certain radioactive drugs, chemotherapy, and a very few long-lasting drugs. A great resource to find out specific information about a particular drug is Medications and Mothers’ Milk by Dr. Thomas Hale, updated every two years. Your LLL Leader may have a copy, or at least access to the information. Also view our page on Medications.

​

Depending on the age of your breastfeeding child, and the frequency with which they breastfeed, certain drugs may have little or no effect on him.

​

If you must wean suddenly, it helps to express some milk from your breasts, for comfort, until you begin to produce less.

​

If you must be separated from your baby while undergoing treatment, but do not wish or need to wean, you can maintain your supply by expressing your milk.

 

*Parts of the contents of this page was generously supplied by La Leche League International