Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is a well-known pain and fever medicine that can be bought over the counter (without a prescription). You've likely seen bottles on shelves at grocery stores and pharmacies. If you've recently given birth and are now breastfeeding, what you take for pain may pass through breast milk to your baby. Can you take ibuprofen while breastfeeding?
In general, the answer is yes, you can probably take ibuprofen while breastfeeding. Ibuprofen breaks down quickly in your body and doesn’t build up in your system like other drugs might. Studies show that only very small amounts of ibuprofen pass into breast milk — less than the doses given directly to infants — and some studies find it can’t be detected at all.
But there are other factors to consider. Let's take a look.
Is It Safe to Take Medications While Breastfeeding?
You may know that breast milk is the best food you can give your baby during their first year of life. It provides your baby with important vitamins, nutrients, and antibodies. Also, breastfeeding your baby is a great way to bond with them.
Because many things in your bloodstream transfer to your breast milk, it's important to be careful about what you eat, drink, or take. Most medications are safe to take while breastfeeding, but some are not. So it's important to talk to your doctor about medicines used to treat chronic conditions, as well as which options are safe for managing sudden pain or fevers.
Here are a few rules of thumb you should follow before taking any type of medicine while breastfeeding:
- Feed your baby (or pump your breast milk) before taking a dose of medicine. That way, your baby gets a lower amount of the medicine in your breast milk at the next feeding.
- Drink lots of water.
- Limit caffeine, and make sure there isn't added caffeine in any medicine or supplements you take. For example, some OTC medicines for migraine, such as Excedrin, contain caffeine.
Avoid aspirin while breastfeeding
Avoid aspirin and related medicines while breastfeeding. The main ingredient in aspirin is salicylic acid, which transfers into breast milk.
Aspirin thins the blood and can increase the risk of bleeding or other issues in your baby. Aspirin has also been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes brain and liver swelling.
When in doubt, your doctor can help you determine the safest options for you and your baby.
What Are Some Tips for Taking Ibuprofen While Breastfeeding?
Follow these guidelines if you need to take ibuprofen while nursing.
Take only what you need
Take ibuprofen only when you need it, and don't take more than the recommended dosage. Before you take ibuprofen, consider other options to relieve pain. For example, if you have a headache, try putting a damp washcloth (cold compress) on your forehead. If you have a cold, try using a saline nasal spray or humidifier to relieve congestion instead of a cold medicine.
Take medicine only for your exact symptoms
Avoid drugs that have ingredients you don't need or that treat multiple symptoms. For example, some cold medicines may contain ibuprofen along with pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine may reduce your milk supply.
Avoid extra-strength or time-release versions
This can help lower the chance that the medication will show up in your breast milk.
How Much Ibuprofen Is Safe While Breastfeeding?
It is generally safe to take up to the daily recommended dose of ibuprofen while breastfeeding. One capsule of Advil or Motrin contains 200 milligrams (mg) of ibuprofen, for example. A recommended dosage is one or two 200-mg capsules, which equals 400 mg. Up to three 400-mg dosages can be taken per day.
In two different studies, one group of women was given 400 mg of ibuprofen twice a day, and another group was given the same amount every six hours. Samples of the breast milk taken afterward showed no traces of ibuprofen in either group. In a recent study, alternating ibuprofen with acetaminophen (Tylenol) provided effective pain relief after giving birth without affecting breastfeeding.
Even so, be sure to consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns about safe drugs to take while nursing.
Who Should Not Take Ibuprofen While Breastfeeding?
There are several reasons to avoid taking ibuprofen, but always talk to your doctor before doing so:
- If you have asthma or stomach ulcers, ibuprofen may make them worse or cause bleeding.
- If you have a premature baby or a baby with low birth weight, ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen.Babies with lower body weight may have kidney issues or other health problems.
- If you are pregnant, you should avoid ibuprofen until after you have given birth. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs may cause complications during pregnancy, including a rare congenital heart defect, low birth weight, or preterm delivery. Your doctor can guide you on what's safe to take when you are pregnant.
Takeaways
Ibuprofen has proven safe in most cases for women who are breastfeeding. However, you should always ask your doctor before taking ibuprofen or any drugs or supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. To be as safe as possible, consider other ways to relieve pain or discomfort after giving birth. If you are pregnant, avoid ibuprofen entirely.
Ibuprofen and Breastfeeding FAQs
How much ibuprofen is OK while breastfeeding?
Follow the dosage instructions. The daily recommended dose should be fine while you are nursing.
Does ibuprofen dry up breast milk?
No. Studies show that very little ibuprofen ends up in your breast milk. The medicine also does not affect your milk supply.
How long does it take for ibuprofen to get out of breast milk?
Ibuprofen breaks down quickly in your bloodstream. Very little, if any, of the medicine ends up in your breast milk or transfers to your baby.
Does ibuprofen affect babies through breast milk?
Ibuprofen has proven safe for mothers to take, even while nursing. It doesn't affect your baby in most cases. But ask your doctor before taking it if you are still nursing your baby.
