In this article you will find information about cold and flu medication and supplement safety during lactation.

Retinoids are widely recognized as one of the most effective ingredients in dermatology, commonly used to treat acne, signs of aging, and other skin conditions. Whether you're browsing over-the-counter (OTC) skincare or have been prescribed something stronger, it’s important to understand the differences between types of retinoids—and what you need to consider when breastfeeding.

Collagen supplements are growing in popularity for their potential benefits to skin and joint health—but many breastfeeding parents are unsure whether they're safe to use while nursing. Here's what the research says to help you make an informed choice.

The MMR vaccine is the best known way to prevent severe cases of measles. Measles is contagious to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Evidence supports that those who do receive the MMR vaccine are less likely to develop severe illness and complications associated with the measles virus. The MMR vaccine is compatible with breastfeeding. Research is currently being done to determine if antibodies increase in milk that may be beneficial to breastfed infants who are too young to receive the MMR vaccine themselves.

Breast milk confers both direct and indirect infant benefits through at least 6 months of age and is recommended by the WHO and AAP to continue until 24 months. General anesthesia and most perioperative medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Physical separation from the infant may require a mother to pump, but discarding the expressed milk is rarely necessary. Mothers of normal term or older infants can resume pumping or direct breast feeding without interruption following anesthesia as soon as they are awake and alert. This is consistent with recent guidelines by the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

Empower yourself with knowledge and confidence, and remember that you have the right to question and understand the healthcare decisions that affect you and your baby.

Pregnancy brings remarkable changes to your body, but these shifts can also increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, a condition that can affect both you and your baby. Understanding how pregnancy impacts your blood sugar and learning strategies to manage it can make a world of difference for your health. With simple lifestyle adjustments—like choosing the right foods and staying active—you can help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Discover how managing your blood sugar can protect you and your baby from potential complications and set the stage for a smooth, healthy journey ahead.

Many women are eager to lose weight after childbirth. However, a common concern is how to do so safely without compromising milk supply. Self-compassion is very important in this process as societal pressure for women to quickly revert to their "normal" state is often unrealistic. It's normal for it to take 6 to 12 months for a woman's body to return to its pre-pregnancy weight. In this article, we will discuss how to safely lose weight during lactation.

In recent decades, domperidone has gained popularity in the breastfeeding community and has been used off-label to treat low milk supply. Domperidone’s major drawbacks are rare, but severe, including heart complications (cardiac arrhythmias due to QT-prolongation), weight gain, and anxiety or depression when it is discontinued. Average increases in daily milk volume are around 1.7 ounces (60 mL), which can be significant for premature infants, but less so for babies as they grow older. Currently domperidone is banned in the United States (US) and its consumption may complicate receiving healthcare in the US.