As cold and flu season swings into full effect, runny noses, coughing, and body aches leave many breastfeeding mothers wondering whether some quick relief from over-the-counter medications could negatively impact their breastfeeding baby. Research shows that some cold and flu medications are better than others when it comes to breastfeeding. Dextromethorphan, acetaminophen, and doxylamine succinate are common active ingredients in cold and flu syrups such as NyQuil and DayQuil along with their generic ingredients.

Zika virus is a flavivirus transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes. Only 20% of adults infected will have clinical manifestations such as low-grade fevers, itchy rash, joint pain in the hands and feet, and eye inflammation. Current outbreaks are in the Americas, Caribbean, and Pacific, but cases have been seen around the world.

Nexplanon has become a very popular contraceptive method in recent years because it lasts for 3 years and you do not have to take a pill every day. While the idea of an implant under the skin is daunting, many still prefer it over IUD insertion or taking oral contraceptive pills every day.

When looking at the research for IUD insertion, we first must ask “what type of IUD are you interested in?”. Copper IUDs (ParaGuard), do not release any hormones and thus do not affect breast milk production. The copper IUDs last for 10-12 years depending on your age and are made of a polyethylene frame with fine copper wire wrapped around it. Copper IUDs can have some unpopular side effects including heavy menstrual bleeding and increased uterine cramps.

Legalization of recreational cannabis use in several states has caused growing unease in the medical community regarding the health risks associated with this drug, especially in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Although cannabis is one of the most widely used phytocannabinoid drugs in the world, understanding of the long-term neurobehavioral effect of cannabis use, particularly in the developing brain, is limited to observational and animal data.

A large European study below, further supports our suggestions for some years that the use of antidepressants during pregnancy does not harm the infant’s intellectual capacity later on.

Kratom was on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) list of drugs of concern since 20051 and was almost reclassified as a Schedule I drug in 2016. The reclassification was eventually put on hold due to massive public outcry and Kratom currently remains legal in most states in the U.S.2 However, there is no question that the number of Kratom exposures in the US is on the rise.

Lead is an environmental pollutant that serves no useful purpose in the body and tends to accumulate in the body's bony structures based on their exposure. Some studies show that the half-life of lead in bone is approximately 27 years.  Thus you may never get rid of all the lead you have absorbed during your life without chelation therapy.  Thus it is best to try and avoid situations with lead exposure.