Tag Archives: drugs

When you are sick, you and your baby will almost always benefit from continuing to breastfeed. There are very few illnesses that require a mother to stop nursing. Since most illnesses are caused by viruses that are most contagious before you even realize you are sick, your baby has already been exposed before you even develop symptoms (such as fever, …

 Ask Anne… Question: I started smoking when I was in high school, and smoked 10-15 cigarettes a day until I found out I was pregnant and I quit cold turkey. Now my baby is 6  months old and exclusively breastfed. Over the past few months, I have gradually started smoking again. My husband still smokes, and it’s hard not to have a hit …

Ask Anne… Question: I’m nursing my three month old. I usually get a flu shot every year, but I’m wondering – is it  safe for breastfeeding mothers to get a flu shot? Answer: It’s safe for nursing moms to get the flu shot, or any other vaccine. The CDC (US Center for Disease Control) says “Influenza vaccine does not affect …

Ask Anne… Question: I’m expecting our first child next month, and my partner and I are thrilled. However, I’m concerned because I  have to go back to work full time (including some overnight travel time) when she is six weeks old. My partner is self employed, and  wants to be involved in every step of the birth/bonding process, so he plans to be …

Many mothers suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) after they give birth. It most often occurs during the early weeks or months, but it can show up anytime during the first year. First time moms are more likely to experience PPD. No one knows exactly what causes it, or why some women get depressed and other don’t. We do know that …

Ask Anne… Question: is it normal to get headaches  while nursing? I didn’t have this problem when I was breastfeeding my daughter eight years ago. Answer: Headaches while nursing are an uncommon, but not abnormal occurrence. Headaches like migraines, which are caused by sensitivity to hormones, are usually less severe and occur less frequently during lactation. There are two basic types …

Ask Anne… Question: I’m exclusively nursing my 5 month old baby. Is it safe to whiten my teeth? Answer:  Teeth whiteners are made of carbamide peroxide, which is a formulation of hydrogen peroxide – made of water with an extra oxygen atom. When you use any type of dental whitener, it’s recommended that you avoid getting excess amounts of the product …

Ask Anne… Answer: There is no evidence to show that tattooing has any adverse effects on breastfeeding. Tattoos are created with a tool that uses a needle to inject colored dye into the top layer of skin. The ink does not transfer into the milk because the molecules are too big to get into the blood stream. Since tattooing is a procedure that …