Metronidazole and breastfeeding

[MrsA38]

Hi everyone,

I've been prescribed metronidazole for an infection in my c section scar, my little boy is 5 weeks old and exclusively breast fed. I've read online (🙄 I know!) That it can make breast milk taste bitter, resulting in the baby rejecting it. Has anyone experienced this at all? Please let me know if you've had to take it post birth and any effects it had. Thank you! 😊

I had it intravenously when my baby was a few days old and exclusively breastfed. I didn't notice any effect on breastfeeding, baby still gobbled up milk.

Thank you, I know I'm probably stressing about nothing it's just a real concern when we haven't introduced a bottle to our LO so being fussy or refusing milk could be a big problem. X

Had it for an episiotomy infection at about 12 days, no issues feeding with baby who is now 5.5 weeks. ☺️

Hi, I'm breastfeeding my newborn and have just finished a week's course of metronidazole on a pretty high dose. Some of my episiotomy stitches came away and the doctor was not sure whether this was due to infection or not, so to be safe he put me on that and another antibiotic too. He told me that too, about it making breastmilk bitter and I was worried so asked the hospital pharmacist when I got the medication. She told me she'd never heard that before and had never had a patient get in contact saying that they had any problem breastfeeding whilst on it. Sure enough I've had no problem breastfeeding whilst on it - so hopefully that will reassure you. I'm glad to have finished it though, it did give me some mild albeit annoying gastro side effects like frequent, pretty loose stools, stomach pain and nausea.

Thank you to you both for replying! Honestly I know I shouldn't have googled it but we all do don't we! I'm glad to hear you hadn't experienced any problems while breastfeeding. I'm not looking forward to taking them due to the side effects too but need to just pull on my big girl pants! 🤣