Motherhood, Breastfeeding, Drugs, and Herbs

It has been on my mind for a while now to write a little piece on motherhood as it relates to breastfeeding, drugs, and herbs. I decided to include herbs because, whether we like it or not, herbs and natural medicines remain a huge part of our lives, especially for those of us in developing countries.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding remains a very important part of motherhood, even though some may want to argue this. Apart from the nutritional benefits breastfeeding confers on babies, the practice has several medical and psychological benefits for both mother and babies. Many mothers that are medically not able to breastfeed will rather employ the service of commercial breastfeeders, also know as wet nurses, instead of allowing their children to grow without being breastfed.

Several health-related challenges have been found to be associated with inadequate or total lack of breastfeeding both in mothers and children. Childhood obesity, leukemia, diabetes, sudden infant death syndrome, etc. are some of the diseases reported to be associated with breastmilk denial. Mothers that are unable to or opt to not breastfeed their babies are at risk of diseases such as premenopausal breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, ovarian cancer, and a host of other diseases.

Medically, new mothers are advised to exclusively breastfeed their children for six months, after which the breastmilk can be supplemented with soft foods before gradually graduating to normal foods. Breastfeeding can continue for as long as 12 months or even 24 months depending on convenience. This practice has been proven to be immensely beneficial for babies while adequate breastfeeding has also been reported to be a natural contraceptive in some women.


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source: pxfuel

Breastfeeding and Drugs

It is not uncommon for mothers to be prescribed drugs to attend to any issue that may arise post-natally. Medical experts do not just recommend anyhow drugs for breastfeeding mothers because some drugs have the capacity to find their way into the mammary glands and contaminate the breastmilk. Once this happens, the drug would get into the system of the baby and this might be dangerous for newborns.

Hence, only drugs that have been well researched and found to either be safe if they get into the body system of babies or have no capacity to get into breastmilk at all are recommended for nursing mothers. This is why nursing mothers are prohibited from taking some drugs. Even if one is getting over-the-counter drugs, it is important to inform the pharmacist if the person taking the drug is a pregnant or nursing mother.

Breastfeeding and Herbal Medicines

In the olden days when there are no standard maternity hospitals that can take delivery of pregnant women, women resort to giving birth in their various homes or in the homes of local herbalists who are largely self-trained. Unlike nowadays when conventional drugs are prescribed for post-natal medical issues, herbs and herbal concoctions were the order of the day. Even neonates were not left out from taking herbal concoctions back then.

Thank goodness for modernization, growth, and development, maternity homes, and standard hospitals are sprouting up around us and pregnant mothers can now get the necessary medical attention with their babies. However, this is not the case with everyone in developing regions of the world.

Herbs and natural medicines still occupy a large role in the health of many people in these regions, including pre and post-natal treatments for mothers and babies. According to the World's Health Organization's report, up to about 80% of the world's population still relies primarily on herbs for their healthcare.

Many people rely on herbal medicines not because they are broke, but because it is difficult to get access to conventional drugs. Some do so because they are genuinely broke while many others just prefer the use of herbs over any other thing. Tons of research are now being made into herbal medicines to arrive at safe solutions rather than trying to dissuade folks from using them.

When it comes to pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, extreme caution should be observed in the consumption of herbal medicines and natural products largely because:

  • many herbal medicines rely heavily on assumptive dosage as there are no standard procedures for measuring their dosages. This caution should be observed irrespective of being pregnant or otherwise.
  • the phytoconstituents in many herbal and natural products are yet to be well researched and many of them have the capacity to filter into the breastmilk of nursing mothers and get into the system of babies. By so doing, they might cause short or long-term harm to the babies.

Final Words

A few days ago, my wife who happens to be a nursing mother came home with different herbs, packed everything into a pot and started cooking in order to make a herbal concoction. I sternly warned her to be very careful of herbs considering the fact that she's nursing a baby. I have once heard of a situation in which a baby developed kidney issues. Even though the problem might have some other underlying cause, I could not help but think beyond the way some folks abuse herbal medicines to the extent of forcing herbal drinks down the throat of babies.

While this kind of lifestyle (strictly herbal) remains the one and only for folks in certain societies, those with options should not be taking chances so as not to jeopardize their own health and that of their babies as scientific research into breastfeeding and herbs remains generally low.

References


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I agree that extreme cautions must be observed for those pregnant and lactating mothers. Although herbs in general is not bad, we can't take for granted possible allergies and over consumption. Mothers can't get wrong or second guess. I should always the best for the mothers and the babies.

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Indeed. Many health challenges in neonates and toddlers whose mothers indulge in herbs might be traceable to herbs. There have been several reports. There should be moderation in their usage when they come as last resort.


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Many health challenges in neonates and toddlers whose mothers indulge in herbs might be traceable to herbs.

I can remember one of my neighbor whom consume a herb tea that resulted to some allergic reaction in his breastfeeding child. !PIZZA

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I've been bf my toddler for 31 months now, since I'm a full time mom. I tried "malunggay" or moringa tea as a supplement to enhance milk production. Since I am already middle aged, I have maintenance med for hypertension and my doctor knows about it since Day 1 of my pregnancy. I just hope and pray that nothing serious will happen to my toddler. Anyhow,thanks for this article!

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I am certain drugs to be recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers are thoroughly assessed before they are prescribed. If the benefits outweigh the likely negative effects, that goes the green. If otherwise, then it would be a no-no. Sometimes, medical experts just have to recommend the best of many evils.

Having said that, I am certain that most hypertension drugs are generally safe for babies as only trace amounts are known to get to the lactating channels. I am optimistic that your baby would be fine. Thanks for the insightful contribution.


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Yes have is herb is part of medicine in africa county alot of people it.

Breastfeeding is good and is very important, it make the new baby to have a good relationship with his or her mother.

It bring love, joy for the baby and the mother, breastfeeding make the baby to grow well without any healthy problem because breast help the child.

And if a mother try and breastfeed the baby for 6month without anything scientifically believe that the brain of the baby will be Sharp and strong.

is not uncommon for mothers to be prescribed drugs to attend to any issue that may arise post-natally. Medical experts do not just recommend anyhow drugs for breastfeeding mothers because some drugs have the capacity to find their way into the mammary glands and contaminate the breastmilk. Once this happens, the drug would get into the system of the baby and this might be dangerous for newborns.

Yes it and it is true that it uncommon for nursing mother to take drug bringing the breastfeeding, even not only bringing the breastfeeding alone.

It as started when the woman have been pregnant because a pregnant woman can not just take any drugs bring the pregnancy.

Because for example for a woman must not take tetracycline when she pregnant, because this will make the teeth of the child to colour when he or she erupt the teeth.

The teeth will not be white or some will have incrisive stain, so that is why is not advisable for a pregnant and nursing mother to take any drugs.
Because it will affect the baby health

Breastfeeding and herbs alot of people believe herb than drug because it faster, easy to get.

Herbs good but the problem is that alot of people do take advantage of it, since is easy and not costly, some do take excess of it.

And some don't know the right one for pregnant and breastfeed woman, some all they do is since they said this one is for the pregnant woman, they will take it without total confirmation.

That is why they Said is not good for pregnant and breastfeeding woman to take herb.

Like the example you made that one child have kidney problems due to the herb, is only herb and drugs that we should always check the pregnant and breastfeeding woman.

What they eat too is important, some will be pregnant or breastfeeding baby and they will be drink very cold water or drink, some sugary things like tea with alot of sugar, sweet, ice cream etc.

This are not good for this people it will effect their child health, to woman I will advice we should not satisfy our our body during pregnancy, because sometimes during the pregnancy you might feel like eating those things to please our body or our feelings.

Please let's endure because of our child and to the husband sometimes your wife might feel like eating something during pregnancy which you know it will affect the baby is not everything that you can give to her or whatever else she need you give bring pregnancy or breastfeeding
just try to pet her or convince her that after giving birth or after breastfeeding you buy all those things for her thank you.

But don't because of that to deny your wife for some things that you know that is good for her and when you promise her try to fulfill it.


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Pregnancy cravings is probably another topic on its own. Awareness needs to be made about herbs and what their indiscriminate usage can cause to babies during pregnancy/breastfeeding. We cannot say herbs should not be used outrightly as this is the only option available for many people.

Thank you for the comprehensive contribution.


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Yes herb can be use but in the right way not to abuse it or miss use it. Some all they is that they see a leave it as being used by one of there neighbour.

And they don't know the usefulness they will just put inside a pot and start cooking it.
Is done they should know the leaves and the usefulness.


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