What’s safe, what isn’t when breast feeding?

If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, and you spent the last 9 months abstaining from caffeine and alcohol, you are probably wondering what is OK and what isn't.

Lactation experts say it is OK to enjoy them, if in moderation. A cup or two of coffee or pop a day are probably OK, as is a glass of wine or beer. Be aware, however, that caffeine can accumulate in your baby and make him or her restless and unable to sleep, even hours later.

The best time to have an alcoholic, or caffeinated beverage, is right after you’ve nursed. That way, your body has few hours to metabolize and move the alcohol or caffeine out of the bloodstream before the next feeding, says Stephanie Gabela, M.P.H., R.D., a nutrition consultant who specializes in breastfeeding and pediatric nutrition.

If you’ve had a few drinks to the point of feeling tipsy and it is time to feed again, pump (rather than skipping to maintain your milk supply) and discard that milk and use a batch of your stored breast milk, or commercial formula for the next feeding.

Recreational drugs are obviously not recommended period. Most medications however, though they will get into your milk in small amounts, are said by pharmacists to not cause harm your baby. As important as what you take, is when you take it. Most reactions are said occur in babies under 2 months old.

When wondering about a specific drug, check with your doctor. If you can't reach him in a reasonable time, call a help line that specializes in nursing moms.

But in general, Craig Towers, M.D. says you can follow these guidelines:

• Medications to treat asthma and low thyroid function are fine, as are most antibiotics and antidepressants.
• Non-sedating prescription medications for allergies, such as Allegra and Claritin, are safe, as are non-sedating over-the-counter antihistamines, although they may inhibit milk production in some women. To clear a stuffed nose, you can use a nasal-spray decongestant; oral decongestants are probably OK as long as they are used only at the prescribed dosage.
• Avoid aspirin, as it can thin your baby’s blood. Instead, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)—but only for a few days.
• Laxatives and antacids are OK. Avoid herbal substances; not enough testing has been done on them, and they’re not as closely regulated as other medications.
• Most painkillers (such as those prescribed after a Cesarean section) are probably OK short term, although they may make your baby sleepy. Avoid long-term use of sedatives.

For all of these, watch for signs in behavioral change in your baby, if you see something that concerns you, stop taking the meds you were on and call your doctor, a health line, or go to an after hours clinic to make sure it is safe to continue.

Don't overly concern yourself with a messy house by trying to get a head as soon as your baby closes his or her eyes. Lie down when the baby rests, don’t try to do too much, and say no to too much company. Too much fatigue will affect your milk supply.

Also, you will naturally be thirstier than non-nursing women, so listen to your body, and when you feel thirsty, do drink something. You don’t need however, to over-hydrate by forcing yourself to drink fluids. Likewise, you’ll be hungrier than non-nursing women because breastfeeding burns lots of calories; you’ll need about 300 more calories a day than in the last trimester, and even more if you’re exercising.

Above all, relax and savor your new life together and know that you’re doing a great thing for your baby that will have a lifetime of payoffs.