title: Advising Mothers on the Use of Medications during Breastfeeding: A Need for a Positive Attitude.
abstract: The use of medications by the nursing mother is a common reason for interrupting breastfeeding. Few drugs have been demonstrated to be absolutely contraindicated during breastfeeding. Excessive caution may lead health professionals to unnecessarily advise to interrupt breastfeeding, without assessing the latest evidence or considering the risk-benefit ratio of taking a medication versus terminating breastfeeding. To foster an appropriate approach toward the use of medications in breastfeeding women, the Italian Society of Perinatal Medicine created the following policy statement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo," Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davanzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo," Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bua
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatal Medicine, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo," Trieste, Italy angeladcnt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Cunto
authors.affiliation: Poison Control Center, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Ponti
authors.affiliation: IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clavenna
authors.affiliation: La Leche League Italia, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mandrella
authors.affiliation: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sagone
authors.affiliation: Teratology Information Service-Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clementi
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001942:Breast Feeding; D000075202:Contraindications; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010500:Perinatology; D012955:Societies, Medical
keywords: adverse effects; breastfeeding; drug therapy; human milk; medication; risk assessment