From the Guidelines
It is safe to use ibuprofen while breastfeeding postpartum, as it is considered compatible with breastfeeding by most medical authorities. According to the guideline on anaesthesia and sedation in breastfeeding women 2020 from the Association of Anaesthetists 1, ibuprofen has been used extensively for postpartum pain and during lactation, and is considered safe to use during breastfeeding. The key points to consider when using ibuprofen while breastfeeding include:
- The typical adult dose of ibuprofen is 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 1200 mg in 24 hours without medical supervision
- Ibuprofen is often preferred over other pain relievers for breastfeeding mothers because it has minimal transfer to breast milk and poses very low risk to the nursing infant
- It can help manage postpartum pain, inflammation, and fever without requiring you to interrupt breastfeeding
- You should take ibuprofen for the shortest duration necessary to control your symptoms
- If you need pain relief for more than a few days, it's advisable to consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have individual contraindications to ibuprofen based on your medical history, such as stomach ulcers, certain kidney problems, or aspirin allergies 1.
From the Research
Ibuprofen and Breastfeeding
- There is no direct information in the provided studies regarding the use of ibuprofen during postpartum breastfeeding.
- However, the studies do provide information on the safety of ibuprofen in general, and the safety of other medications during breastfeeding 2.
- One study discusses the safety of various gastrointestinal medications during breastfeeding, but does not specifically mention ibuprofen 2.
- Other studies discuss the gastrointestinal safety of ibuprofen in general, and compare it to other medications such as paracetamol 3, 4.
- These studies suggest that ibuprofen has a relatively good gastrointestinal tolerability profile, and may be safer than other medications in certain situations 3, 4.
- However, without direct information on the use of ibuprofen during postpartum breastfeeding, it is not possible to make a definitive statement on its safety during this time.