Expert: Sue Ennis - 11/8/2007

Question
Hello. I have a 4 month old daughter and have been breastfeeding since birth, and plan to breastfeed until 1 year, My question may be silly, but I would like to know how long it takes for whatever you eat or drink (or take into your body) to come into your breastmilk. I was prescribed a birth control pill and my OB says it ok to take wjile breastfeeding, i still worry and dont want her to get it, if i take it a few hours before i nurse? Or after I nurse? Will she not get any of the birth control? I have not taken this pill yet for fear she will take in some of the medication. Also I have been advised to stay away from gassy foods because it will make the baby gassy. I just want to know how long it takes for whatever i take in to go into my milk. Thank You so much.

Answer
Hello Joy - Not silly at all :) and yes it's always in the back of any breastfeeding mom that what goes into your system is excreted in your breastmilk.  But rest assured on the advice of your OB that if your doctor approves it, the particular birth control would be tested and approved for use by a breastfeeding woman. In terms of how long things stay in your system, there's no one answer as different things react and stay within the system for varied amounts of time.  And your birth control pill will work with your hormones to regulate your cycle in a way to not have a pregnancy occur. So the baby's system does not even have the hormonal menstrual generating hormones to react with it. So as your doctor advsed, your hormonal levels should not have any affect on the well being of your baby and the intake of breast milk.  But, as I'm sure you've done, you can question your doctor further for your complete peace of mind, but know they are the best informed in terms of directing you.    As for gassy food, again, that is so different woman to woman, I've seen the whole range of what affects children...and if you've been nursing for 4 months, you will see how your current diet is working out and minor changes as needed should things occur in the baby...but also keep in mind that sometimes, gas just happens and is a normal funcation :)   So easy to try to put everything in order to matched to science, but we all know what happens for one, will vary to the next.  But in your subject, you mention alcohol and that is one thing that immediately passes to breastmilk, so that is a "pump and dump" scenario always to be safe.  All the best, good luck and enjoy this most wonderful time in life!