The Breastfeeding Family's Guide to Nonprescription Drugs and Everyday Products

A must-have reference guide for all breastfeeding parents, lactation consultants, and healthcare providers who work with parents

Nonprescription medications and products are used by breastfeeding parents more often than prescription drugs, but not all over-the-counter (OTC) products state whether they are safe to use while breastfeeding. The truth is that everyday products commonly recommended and used can be harmful for an infant when passed through breastmilk. Whether curing a headache, taming allergies, or taking an herbal supplement, navigating the packed shelves of everyday products can be difficult.

In this reference guide, pharmacist Dr. Frank J. Nice provides simple guidelines for making safe decisions about a variety of products. Multiple easy-to-read tables contain clear answers to the question: "Is this safe to use while breastfeeding a baby?" Each table contains a clear "OK" or "UNSAFE" designation for every product or ingredient, as well as a rating following Dr. Thomas Hale's Lactation Risk Categories.

This book will replace Dr. Nice's original reference book, Nonprescription Drugs for the Breastfeeding Mother, as the gold standard reference guide for lactation consultants, pharmacists, and parents. From acne medications to zinc tablets to energy drinks, this comprehensive book covers over 1700 different products. A table of active ingredients covers nearly every other available product, and a list of products most commonly recommended by pharmacists will help families make a quick selection for their health needs.

For the first time ever, Dr. Nice also includes safety information for the use of alcohol, marijuana, and CBD, as well as cosmetic, herbal, and dietary products. Other useful information can be found throughout the book, such as a guide to understanding OTC drug labels and a list of websites for further reading. The Breastfeeding Family's Guide to Nonprescription Drugs and Everyday Products is the only book a breastfeeding parent needs to keep their baby safe while looking after their own health.