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Is it okay for a breastfeeding mom to drink sedatives?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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After childbirth, many young mothers are faced with nervousness, increased irritability, sleep problems. One of the methods of eliminating the above problems is sedatives. Most medications with sedative effect are incompatible with lactation. But there are a number of drugs that can be used to normalize the nervous system.

  • Valerian is a herbal sedative, contains essential oils, tannins and amino acids. It eliminates restlessness, improves mood, minimizes anxiety. Available in the form of tablets and alcohol solution.
  • Motherwort is another herbal remedy with a calming effect. Improves sleep, relieves increased nervous excitability. Available in the form of tincture, herbs for brewing and tablets. Lactating women are better to take tablets.
  • Glycine is an amino acid that normalizes sleep, fights stress and improves mood. It is available in the form of tablets for oral intake. The drug has a minimum of contraindications, but before taking it, you should consult with your doctor.

In addition to the above drugs, a nursing mom can be prescribed: Persen, Novo Passit, Gerbion, Motherwort Forte and other medications. Also do not forget about soothing teas based on mint, melissa, nettle or chamomile.

Can I drink valerian for breastfeeding moms?

Changes in hormonal background, stress and worries accompany a woman throughout pregnancy and for some time after childbirth. One of the most popular plant-based remedies with sedative effect is valerian. It is indispensable for neuroses, sleep disorders, depressive states, headaches.

Valerian contains essential oil, part of which is a complex ester of isovalerian acid and borneol alcohol. The drug reduces CNS excitability, exhibits slow but stable sedative and antispasmodic action.

  • Indications for use: increased nervous excitability, combined treatment of mild functional disorders of the cardiovascular system. Headaches and migraine, sleep disorders, irritability, loss of energy. The drug helps with intestinal disorders, reduces pressure and spasms, dilates coronary vessels.
  • How to use: orally after meals, for patients over 12 years of age prescribed 30-60 mg 3-4 times a day. Duration of treatment depends on the therapeutic effect and doctor's prescription.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, severe depression. During treatment, it should be taken into account that valerian enhances the effect of other sedatives, sleeping pills, antispasmodics, analgesics and alcohol-containing drugs.
  • Overdose: headache and dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tremor, dilated pupils, chest tightness, abdominal pain, nausea, tachycardia. For treatment, withdrawal of valerian, gastric lavage and administration of enterosorbents are indicated.
  • Adverse reactions: headaches and dizziness, drowsiness, decreased mental and physical performance, allergic reactions, nausea and vomiting.

The use of valerian preparations during lactation should be coordinated with the attending physician. This is due to the lack of data on the safety of drugs during breastfeeding and pregnancy. When using a herbal remedy, you should take into account the increased risk of developing adverse reactions in the child. Components of valerian penetrate into the mother's milk, causing colic, increased gas formation, allergic reactions, lethargy, sleep disorders and stomach disorders in the child.

Form of release: tablets 10, 20 pieces in blisters.

Can a nursing mom drink glycine?

Glycine is an essential amino acid with neurometabolic, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. It regulates metabolic processes in the body, stimulates the processes of protective inhibition of the CNS. Improves mental performance, prevents the development of psycho-emotional stress.

Takes part in the synthesis of other amino acids that make up hemoglobin and cytochromes. After ingestion, it rapidly penetrates into all body fluids and tissues. Metabolizes to water and carbon dioxide. Does not accumulate in tissues and organs.

  • Indications for use: sleep disorders, mental and physical exhaustion, neuroses, depression, anxiety. Disorders of the autonomic system, encephalopathies of various etiologies. Ischemic stroke, psychoemotional stress.
  • How to use: sublingually (under the tongue) or transbuccal (behind the cheek). Tablets are taken whole or in a crushed form of 1 capsule 2-3 times a day. Course of treatment 2-4 weeks.
  • Side effects: in rare cases allergic reactions occur, which pass independently and do not require treatment.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the drug components, low blood pressure, patients under 2 years of age. No cases of overdose have been recorded.

Glycine is one of the safest sedative drugs for breastfeeding women. It has a positive effect on the CNS, eliminates fatigue and irritability, relieves stress, helps with insomnia. The drug is taken in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. The amino acid penetrates into breast milk and children's bodies. Because of this, in a number of cases it was noted that Glycine caused allergic reactions in the baby, excessive excitability, refusal of the breast.

Form of release: white sublingual tablets of 50 pieces in a blister.

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