A couple of questions about medicines I can take when BF?

[McKayz]

DC3 is due in 4 weeks and I've just been reminded about after pains. They were bloody horrible with DS2 so I imagine this time they'll be worse.

What painkillers can be taken when BF? Is it like pregnancy and only paracetamol can be used?

Also I'm pretty sure I can't go back on the pill. It was the combined one I think I was on. I took it for 3 weeks then had a weeks break.

I don't want to have a coil or implant or anything like that. So is it just condoms or are there pills that are BF friendly?

Thanks.

The Breastfeeding Network has some excellent drug info sheets here. There's also a drug helpline you can call.

Also if you phone any of the breastfeeding helplines then you should be able to chat to someone who can give you information from an up-to-date copy of Dr Hale's book which has info on how much of a drug goes into milk etc.

HTH. Good luck with the birth :)

You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen.

As far as contraception is concerned the combined pill can interfere with milk production but you can take the mini pill whilst breast feeding. I didn't like them very much (1 sent me loopy and with another I bled randomly) so you may have to try a few to get the right one.

Here is some info on contraception and BF. Breastfeeding itself can be an effective contraceptive if certain criteria are met. More about that here.

Thank you. I'll have a read of the links.

Kellymom certainly knows her stuff but one of my friends has 11 months between her 2 children and was exclusively bf the first one when the second was conceived. Just saying...

It can happen, it's fallible just like any other form of contraception. But if you meet the criteria then it's pretty reliable.

If you've a smartphone theres an app called lactmed which is really helpful.