Can intravenous infusions be administered during lactation?

Whether intravenous infusion is allowed during lactation depends on the drugs used. Generally, the use of penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics will not affect breastfeeding, but the use of quinolones or macrolides requires temporary suspension of breastfeeding. Typically, most drugs can enter the breast milk through blood circulation and thus enter the baby's body, potentially causing adverse effects on the baby.

If intravenous infusion is needed due to common colds or diarrhea, relatively safe drugs or drugs with a short half-life should be chosen. If it's not absolutely necessary, intravenous infusion should be avoided. Lactating women have relatively low immune function due to childbirth, and their bodies may not have fully recovered in a short period of time. It is recommended that they take care to keep warm and engage in appropriate physical exercise to improve their constitution.

It is common for lactating mothers to experience colds and coughs. However, some mothers may carelessly take medications like aspirin without realizing the potential harm these drugs can pose to their milk supply. Long-term use of such drugs can affect the baby's platelet function and lead to coagulation disorders.

Most antibiotics can be secreted into the milk either actively or passively, inadvertently making the baby an indirect drug user or victim. Therefore, lactating mothers must be aware of the potential impact of drugs that may enter their milk on their babies.

The concentration of drugs in the milk is not only related to the dosage used but also to how the drug interacts with other elements in the lactating mother's body. Although drugs may be eliminated from the lactating mother's body through metabolism, the extent of their impact on the baby depends on the baby's sensitivity to the drugs.

For example, chloramphenicol can suppress the baby's bone marrow hematopoiesis, leading to decreased white blood cell count and aplastic anemia. Tetracyclines can affect the baby's bone and tooth growth and may cause jagged teeth. Metronidazole has a high concentration in the milk, making it bitter and affecting the baby's appetite.