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Drug and Medication Use During Pregnancy or While Breastfeeding

BreastfeedingHealth and WellnessPregnancy

Medication Use During Pregnancy

 

According to the CDC, individuals who are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant should talk to their healthcare providers before starting or stopping any medicines and to be sure to discuss the following:

  • All medicines they are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamins
  • The best ways to keep any health conditions they have under control
  • Their personal goals and preferences for the health of themselves and their baby

 

The CDC's Medicine and Pregnancy: An Overview, offers advice about medication use during pregnancy, including frequently asked questions that can be shared with participants and free, downloadable handouts that include: 

  • Talking with your doctor about medicine use

  • Safer medication use in pregnancy

If participants have questions and cannot reach their doctor, they can contact an expert for free through email, text, call, or live chat on the MotherToBaby® website.

 

Medication Safety Tips and Breastfeeding

Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends ​individuals who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed and plan to take any kind of drug, should first discuss these drugs with their healthcare provider or pediatrician. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and homeopathic and herbal medicines. While many medications are safe during breastfeeding, a few can have serious side effects for the mother and the baby.

Using Contraceptives While Breastfeeding

WIC staff will find information from AAP’s Birth Control and Breastfeeding page that can be shared with participants, also available in Spanish, including information on considerations for milk supply.

 

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®)

The LactMed® online database, from the National Library of Medicine, provides up-to-date, peer reviewed information about specific substances and medications that can help guide the conversation a participant may have with their healthcare professional about managing their medication use while breastfeeding.

 

Recommendations for Using Alcohol, Marijuana, Tobacco, and Other Substances While Breastfeeding

Visit WIC Breastfeeding Support’s Breastfeeding and Alcohol, Drugs, and Smoking and WIC Work's Using Cannabis, Including CBD, THC and Marijuana, When Pregnant or Breastfeeding pages to learn more and find sharable resources.

In addition, the WIC Substance Use Prevention Guide is designed for both State and local agency WIC staff to help integrate alcohol, drug and other harmful substance use-related information and referral elements into their clinic activities.

On WIC Works, you'll find additional resources related to substance use:

 

WIC participants who may need help quitting smoking can use the free QUIT NOW hotline:

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Quitline coaches can answer questions, help you develop a quit plan, and provide support.

 

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