Can i use these while bfing?

[MoonFaceMama]

Deep heat or 5% ibuprofen gel?

They both say to check with doc or pharmasist but don't feel able to drive to pharmacist and docs will be shut. Anyone know where else i can check?

It would be on my lower back. Ds is five months.

Thanks.

I was taking ibuprofen tablets when bfing if that helps?

My GP gave be some ibuprofen gel for my back at the 6 week check up, I am BFing.

MFM. I asked my GP about this after my pharmacist refused to sell me ibuprofen gel when he realised I was bfing. The GP looked it up and she reckoned it was fine. She also thought ibuprofen tablets were OK. But, if you are any way worried, you could always call NHSDirect for some guidance if you are in the UK.

Thanks everybody, it's all very confusing. Just called nhs direct and they said no to ibuprofen, and to take paracetamol instead. Ever get the feeling they don't know the answer so are trying to cover their backs?

Whoever said yes to paracetamol and no to ibuprofen is getting mixed up with pregnancy. Ibuprofen is fine - have a look at the breast feeding network website.

As someone pointed out on another thread, baby nurofen is from 3 months isn't it?

I have used the gel, taken ibuprofen for headaches etc while feeding, no discernible effect on DS.

Hello MFM
There is a really good drugs and breastmilk information resource here www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk Go to the Drugs in Breastmilk bit half way down the homepage.
The creams and ointment factsheet says deep heat is fine. The one on painkillers says ibuprofen is fine too.
I think you are right that sometimes they don't really know and are trying to cover their backs! It comes down to the fact that ethically they can't try drugs on pregnant / bf women but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't ok to use.
Hope this helps.

Thank you everyone! Especially domesticdisaster for the usefull link AND checking the relevant bits...i'm on my phone and anything other than mn seems to crash it... Though tbh that doesn't normally bother me!

I think ibuprofen is fine - my midwife recomended it after my kids were born to help with pain of stitches. I don't know about the gels.

i was given ibuprofen whilst in hospital for 4 days after having ds, and i was breastfeeding. assumed it was fine, rang nhs direct a couple of weeks ago and nurse said shouldnt be taking it, told her had whilst in hospital, she then went away to check guidance and came back and said its ok within daily dosage.

with the gel i assume you wouls absorb less ibuprofen than the tablets so go for it.

typing one handed therefore no capital letters!

I realise that this won't help you just now if you are not able to leave the house but I've found thermacare heat wraps are THE best thing for my lower back pain and work far better than drugs or gels. Other heat pads work too but the thrmacare ones are a belt so it stays in place better. I always keep one in the house just in case as I have a lot of problems with muscles in my lower back spasming (sp?).

Thanks all. Had already taken paracetamol when nhs direct adviced so have slapped on some deep heat (think the smell is enough to make me feel better) for now. Will have a hot bath later and then try the ibuprofen gel later...think i'll try and get some of the wraps you mention trying, they sound good!