If you have gone through C-section or an episiotomy, you may have some pain for the initial days or weeks after the delivery. Sore breasts, headaches, or uterus contractions (afterpains) are the usual discomforts.
If you have general cold/headache symptoms and you’re breastfeeding and wondering if any medications that you take to ease the pain? One such over-the-counter medication is Advil®.
Can you take Advil while breastfeeding? Find the answers on this page.
Can you take Advil while breastfeeding?
Advil can be taken by nursing mothers without any risks as long as they follow the right dosage.
If you are looking for the best and safest treatment for cold symptoms and headaches, Advil is on the top of the list. It is considered a light treatment as it doesn’t come with severe side effects. You can administrate Advil at home, without the need to talk to your doctor.
Advil is maybe the most popular treatment for cold symptoms and headaches.
- The active ingredient in Advil is Ibuprofen. This is considered safe for both pregnant women and nursing mothers. There are many brands of Ibuprofen that you can find on the pharmacy, such as Motrin, Actiprofen, Rufen, and more.
- According to several studies, Advil is considered safe for breastfeeding moms to use.
- Though this medication may enter into the breast milk, the amount that passes through to the baby is so negligible. Thus it won’t make you or the baby sleepy.
- However, it is critical to respect the recommended dose per day, not to influence your baby. You will find the dosage information in the description of the medicine.
- However, the general rule says that you shouldn’t take more than 400 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours if you are nursing.
- Anything more than that will give you side effects such as nausea, restlessness, and drowsiness.
- It will also pass to your baby through the breastmilk and give them similar side effects if you ingest too much of it.
What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is an NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug). NSAIDs help to reduce body temperature, reduce muscle pain/inflammation, and relieve pain such as headaches. For breastfeeding moms, it helps to reduce the pain associated with engorged breasts, plugged milk ducts, mastitis, and sore nipples.
Generally, after childbirth, many doctors prescribe Motrin/Advil for delivery pain relief.
Advil and Breastfeeding
Ibuprofen that is found in Advil and other drugs, can treat a wide range of symptoms. This is why it is so popular as well.
- It can help you get rid of headaches, fevers, different aches in your body, and it can even help you fall asleep.
- As long as you don’t overuse this treatment, you shouldn’t have to deal with no side effects, and your baby will be safe as well.
- You should be able to take Advil to tame your headaches and cold symptoms. You don’t need a doctor’s prescription for Advil, but you should pay attention to the indications of the product.
If you notice any side effects after taking Advil, stop the treatment and talk to your doctor.
Key References
- “Ibuprofen Uses, Dosage & Side Effects – Drugs.com”. Accessed January 20, 2020. Link.
- “Ibuprofen use while Breastfeeding | Drugs.com”. Accessed January 20, 2020. Link.
- “Excretion of ibuprofen into breast milk. – PubMed – NCBI”. Accessed January 20, 2020. Link.
- “Ibuprofen While Breastfeeding: Which Pain Relievers Are Safe?”. Accessed January 20, 2020. Link.