Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are sometimes referred to as ‘natural remedies’. CAMs have become increasingly popular over the past decade for a variety of ailments and preventative measures.
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Most CAMs can be bought without a prescription from pharmacies, health food stores and supermarkets. Because of this, most people use CAMs without asking for appropriate advice. It is always a good idea to seek medical advice when thinking about the use of any CAMs while you are breastfeeding.
This fact sheet is intended as a guide for women who are breastfeeding. The information is based on the current knowledge of CAMs and their effects.
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What are complementary and alternative medicines?
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CAMs are groups of medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not considered to be part of ‘conventional medicine’.
CAMs include:
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- herbal medicines
- vitamin and mineral supplements
- nutritional/dietary supplements
- naturopathic and homeopathic medicines
- aromatherapy oils and topical creams
- acupuncture
- traditional medicines such as Ayurvedic medicines and traditional Chinese medicines.
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The Royal Women’s Hospital Drug Information Centre does not recommend the use of certain CAMs during breastfeeding due to the lack of documented safety information. If a CAM preparation is recommended to you and you are pregnant, it is important to ask the person who is prescribing about the safety of the preparation for you and your baby.
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Breastfeeding
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Breast milk is the best nutrition for your baby. The health benefits are so important that you should only stop breastfeeding if there is substantial evidence that the medicines or CAMs you are taking will cause harm to the baby.
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You should be cautious and careful in the use of CAM products, including herbal teas.
Certain CAMs, like conventional medicines, can transfer into your breast milk. Some CAMs are harmful to your baby and others can affect your breast milk production. Generally, while breastfeeding, you should avoid using CAM products until the baby is over two years old.
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The following is a list of reasons to be careful when taking CAMs while breastfeeding:
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- All CAMs have the potential to pass into the breast milk and to have effects on the baby.
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- With most CAMs, there is not enough documented evidence to determine their safety during breastfeeding.
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- Some CAMs have not been scientifically proven to be effective.
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- Some CAM products are not regulated to ensure good quality.
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Vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements
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Normally, a healthy, well-balanced diet will provide sufficient vitamins and minerals for a breastfeeding mother and baby. However, the recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals found in multi-vitamin preparations can be safely used during any stage of breastfeeding.
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Iron and vitamin D
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If you have a low iron level and a low vitamin D level, your doctor may prescribe iron tablets or vitamin D capsules (e.g. Ostelin® or OsteVit-D®) to increase the levels in your body.
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Vitamins and minerals
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Higher doses of vitamins and minerals (e.g. vitamin C, magnesium and zinc) can be used during breastfeeding, but only for short periods and only if you do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Sometimes excessive doses of certain vitamins and minerals can cause side effects. For example, high doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhoea in both you and your baby.
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Cod liver oil and beta-carotene
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Preparations that contain vitamin A (e.g. cod liver oil and beta-carotene) and vitamin D (e.g. cod liver oil) may be used at the recommended dose while breastfeeding.
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Fish oil
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Fish oils containing omega 3 fatty acids – docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaeoic acid (EPA), can be used at the recommended dose while breastfeeding.
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Herbal medicines and other CAMs
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There is limited safety information on the use of some herbal preparations in breastfeeding. Always seek medical advice before using them.
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Acidophilus
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Acidophilus preparations and probiotic formulations produced in Australia and listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration are safe to take while breastfeeding. However, the benefits of their
use have not been proven.
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Ginger
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If you experience motion sickness and wish to take ginger tablets, they are safe to take for short periods of time. The recommended dose is one gram per day.
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Herbal teas
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Herbal teas such as chamomile and peppermint can be safely used, in moderate amounts, during breastfeeding. Try to have no more than one to two cups per day.
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Natural weight loss preparations
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When breastfeeding your baby, you should avoid taking any weight loss products. These include meal
replacement formulas and herbal preparations used
in detoxification programs. Speak to your dietician or pharmacist if you would like further dietary advice.
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Common CAMs products
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Common products like fenugreek, St John’s wort, valerian, cranberry, evening primrose oil, milk thistle, grape seed, horseradish, glucosamine and chondroitin, coenzyme Q10 and melatonin are not recommended during breastfeeding due to lack of documented evidence about their safety. Side effects have been reported in babies of mothers who have taken these preparations while breastfeeding.
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The following is a list of some common CAM preparations that should not be taken during breastfeeding.
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- Aloe
- Angelica root (Dong Quai)
- Bearberry (Uva Ursi)
- Buckthorn
- Cascara Sagrada
- Castor bean
- Chaste tree berry (Vitex) in high doses
- Coltsfoot
- Comfrey
- Echinacea (more than eight weeks during any course of treatment)
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| - Ephedra (Ma Huang)
- Garlic (in medicinal dose)
- Ginseng root
- Indian Snakeroot
- Jasmine flower
- Kava Kava
- Liquorice (in medicinal doses)
- Petasites
- Rhubarb
- Sage
- Siberian Ginseng
- Tansy
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Before using any CAMs during breastfeeding, always contact your doctor, pharmacist, maternal and child health nurse or the Royal Women’s Hospital Drug Information Centre for advice.
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Where to get further information
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Drug Information Centre
Pharmacy Department
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Royal Women’s Hospital
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Locked Bag 300
Grattan St & Flemington Rd
Parkville VIC 3052
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Hours: 9am – 5pm -Monday to Friday
Phone: (03) 8345 3190
After hours answering machine
Email:drug.information@rwh.org.au
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Related fact sheets
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Disclaimer
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The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided in this fact sheet or incorporated into it by reference.
We provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy.
Women are encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner.
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Published February 2007
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