Breastfeeding While Taking Pain Medicines

I had three c-sections, my eldest had an episode that brought her to Cook Children's when she was 9 days old. Her urine was analyzed and as the docs already know, no medication from the breast milk was in her system. I took vicodan which is essentially the same meds you are taking. Take them, they will not hurt your baby and they allow you to move around more which helps you recover from the surgery more quickly so that you CAN take care of the baby.

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I don't know about the Tylenol #3, but I'm assuming your doctor wouldn't prescribe it if it was bad for the baby. I breastfed after a C-Section and was prescribed percoset/percodan (I can't remember which one) and nine years later my "baby" is just fine! But I remember not wanting to be on the prescrip meds so I think within a week I was just taking motrin.

I also took pain meds after my c-section. It also helped with breastfeeding pain. Follow your doctors orders, they know what you can do safely.

I took darvocet after both kids and never had any problems. My sister took vicodin with all 3 of her kids and b/f and also never had any problems. We have straight A students and our younger ones are sheer geniuses! Sorry to brag, but they are! :)
Don't worry. Rest and take what you need to get you moving again.

As long as your OBGYN and the pediatrician both know and approve then it should be fine.

Congrats!! :)

I took both after both C-sections with no problems. You definitely don't want to miss a dose for the first week. After about 10 days I switched to just ibuprofen. Took the ibuprofen regularly for several days, then gradually less and less over the next week or two. Both kids did fine.

www.safefetus.com is a great refrence as well.

I am not aware of any issues. This is what they gave me in the hospital; and I breast fed.

Tylenol 3 contains Codeine. While Codeine is safe for most breastfeeding moms to take, there is a genetic mutation in a small number of moms which causes them to metabolize Codeine into Morphine more quickly than normal which can be dangerous to a newborn. Because of that, doctors are starting to avoid prescribing codeine-containing drugs to breastfeeding moms. You should take as little of the Tylenol 3 as you can, and watch your baby for any signs of sleepiness or lethargy. You could also talk to your doctor about whether there is another type of medication you could take instead.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/pain-meds.html

I went home on Ibuprofen the first time and Darvocet the second - but switched to ibuprofen pretty quickly. Nursed both times, no problems.

S.

I took tylenol 3/lortab, after my c-section. I also breastfeed till 6-7 month, and the doc, and ped both knew i was breastfeeding. It will just make your little one sleep more. Once your off the drugs, he/she will start to wake up more often. You need the meds,for pain, just start to wean yourself off them asap. I was off them by 1 1/2 weeks. Good luck!

ps. my son is perfactly fine....He's talking (mama,dada, sis, kit), taking steps, eatting from our plate (sometimes) and he's 9 1/2 months old.

Tylenol #3 has codiene and I wouldn't take it. Ask your pedia or call La Letche Leagus.
V. B.

You should be fine to tale Tylenol or IB. No effects for baby and some re;ief for you!

If you perineum is sore make a strong Comfrey tea and then dilute it in you peri bottle w warm water and squiet when you go to the bathroom.

Also remember to keep hydrated!

K.
Mom to 5
birth doula
Lamaze childbirth educator