Do antibiotics pass through breastmilk to child?

I have been told many times that very little antibiotic passes through breastmilk to a nursing child. Does anyone have any information indicating otherwise?

I was taking Keflex (Cephalexin) for nearly 3 weeks when my son was born. I am nervous now that I may have hurt his system or done damage despite what the doctors day.

It depends on what the medicine is. Each medicine is different. Post the name and we'll look it up for you in "Medications & Mother's Milk" by Dr. Hale or call your local LLL Leader or Lactation Consultant and she can look up the meds.

This list may be helpful to you:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-...

anything you put into your body will pass thru your breast milk. f you are worried, you should talk to your doctor about safe drugs to take while breastfeeding. or you can investigate how long the drug will be in your system and try to pump enough for your baby before taking the meds. good luck!

It depends on the antibiotic, but remember that they have to be metabolized by your body so they are changed. Most antibiotics are really safe to take when you are nursing; especially for a short term course.

yes antibiotics will pass, but if your doctor prescribed them knowing your breast feeding then you are fine.

All of the commonly used antibiotics as well as both prescription and over-the-counter cold remedies (decongestants, antihistamines, and cough remedies) are safe to take while breastfeeding. Even codeine-containing cough syrups are safe to take before bed, if necessary, for a few nights, unless your baby is a newborn. (Use a cough syrup that contains dextromethorphan (DM) if you are unable to sleep.)

Rather than once-a-day, long-acting medications, use short-acting medicines that are taken 3-4 times a day and try to take them just after breastfeeding. Try single-ingredient medications (either decongestants or antihistamines) before trying combinations.

Finally, don't forget non-drug cold remedies: a "steam clean" and a "nose hose." Twenty minutes of inhaling steam from a facial steamer loosens secretions in clogged breathing passages. Add one drop of eucalyptus oil for a better effect. Spritz your stuffy nose several times a day with over-the-counter saline nasal spray. These two safe and simple remedies keep the secretions that accumulate during colds and allergies from collecting in sinuses and breathing passages and serving as a medium for bacteria growth, and thus may prevent a cold from progressing to sinusitis or bronchitis.

Concerning the safety of antibiotics while breastfeeding, doctors usually follow the principle that if it's safe to give the antibiotic directly to the infant, it's certainly safe for the mother to take it while breastfeeding.

Sulfa -containing antibiotics should be avoided in the newborn period, since the newborn's liver is not able to adequately metabolize them. The new quinolone antibiotics (e.g., Floxin and Cipro ) are safe to take while breastfeeding, if your doctor decides that there are no equally effective alternatives. Because these medications are new and their safety is not entirely established, it would be wise to take the medication at bedtime after the last breastfeeding and to stop taking the medication if the infant shows any gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea.

The effects of Keflex during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. Keflex appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If Keflex is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.


when you as a breastfeeding mother need meds make sure you tell the dr you are breastfeeding. then whatever he gives you make sure you call the pediatrician to make sure it is ok.

since you have already taken it i would call his pediatrician to see what needs to be done now