The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service

05/12/2025

With Christmas celebrations just around the corner, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to have an alcoholic drink while breastfeeding 🥂

There’s often a lot of discussion around this, so today we’re sharing some key points to break it down clearly:

• Having occasional, small amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding is generally considered fine (for example, a glass of wine with a meal or a couple of drinks socially).

•You should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without thinking about how to reduce your baby’s exposure.

• If you plan to drink heavily, make sure your baby is cared for by a sober, responsible adult.

• Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you’ve had any alcohol.

• Anyone who’s been drinking should avoid situations where they could fall asleep with a baby—whether that’s on a bed, chair, or sofa.

• You don’t need to “pump and dump” to remove alcohol from your milk. As your blood alcohol level drops, the amount in your milk drops too.

• You may want to express for comfort to avoid engorgement when missing feeds.

• If you want to minimise your baby’s exposure to alcohol, you can avoid feeding for 2–3 hours after drinking.

Find out more in our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/alcohol/

✨Having a drink this Christmas?✨
Thinking ahead can help you enjoy the holidays safely - plan your celebrations so you can enjoy a drink while making sure your baby is cared for.

[ID: Alcohol and Breastfeeding. Images of two glasses of wine. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets.]

03/12/2025

It is best for your health and your baby’s health if you do not smoke. However, if you find it hard to stop smoking, you do not need to stop breastfeeding. Breastfeeding will still protect your baby, even if you are still smoking.

You can reduce your baby’s exposure to smoke by smoking only after feeding, outside of your home, away from your baby.

For more information, check out our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/smoking/

🚭 To***co use harms fertility.

Ni****ne damages eggs and s***m, increasing the risk of infertility in both men and women.

The new WHO infertility guideline recommends quitting to***co to increase your chances of conceiving.

Fertility care includes information on how lifestyle can impact health. bit.ly/4ol6cka

03/12/2025

Our Scottish Development Officer, Kirstine, had a busy November!

Just a couple of things she's been up to:

The Royal College of Midwives Conference (pictured):

"We were very grateful to be invited to this well-organised conference. We attended some of the excellent conference talks, including hearing from Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on the Scottish Government's priorities and met some familiar faces.

We spoke to lots of midwives and trainee midwives about the NBH and DiBM services (as well as BfN local projects) and handed out resources to drive more awareness of our services in Scotland."

The University of Stirling Virtual Breastfeeding Masterclass:

"It was an honour to present to trainee Health Visitors and other guests at the University of Stirling Breastfeeding Masterclass last week. I spoke about BfN and the NBH before going into more detail about the Drugs in Breastmilk service and some of the updated guidance on mastitis and breast pain.

The feedback from the day was very positive, with many attendees learning about our services for the first time and now feeling confident to signpost families to us in future."

Find out more about The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in Breastmilk Service, here:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk/

[ID:National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212. Image of BfN staff standing behind a table filled with resources, leaflets, pens, magazines, knitted b***s and demonstration doll babies. National Breastfeeding Helpline banner in background.]

01/12/2025

Today is World AIDS Day.

Every woman living with HIV deserves access to accurate information and compassionate support when making decisions about infant feeding.

To see the BHIVA guidelines on breastfeeding with HIV, go to: https://www.bhiva.org/pregnancy-guidelines

You can also read the WHO recommendations here:
https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/hiv-infant-feeding

If you'd like to talk to someone about medication while breastfeeding, our team are available every day, via message or email: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.

[ID: World AIDS day. Red ribbon over earth. 1st December.]

28/11/2025

❄️ The icy weather is here!

If you’re dealing with sniffles or sore throats, feeling unsure about flu vaccinations, or just want reliable information about medication during the colder months, today we're sharing some of our most helpful factsheets for the winter.

❄️Antibiotics
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/antibiotics/

❄️Cough and cold remedies
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/cold-remedies/

❄️COVID-19
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/coronavirus/

❄️Decongestants
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/decongestants/

❄️Influenza
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/influenza/

❄️Sore throats
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/sore-throats/

❄️Vaccinations
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/vaccinations/

❄️Vitamin D
https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/vitamind/

If you have any questions, our team of pharmacist volunteers are available to answer your questions via direct message or email - druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.

Please provide as much information as possible. We aim to answer your enquiries within 24 hours.

❄️Share to help more breastfeeding mums find our information ❄️

[ID: Factsheets for the Colder Weather. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets. Background image - Thermometer reading 0 degrees in icy grass.]

26/11/2025

26/11/2025

For some people, symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can feel more noticeable or harder to manage during the winter.

But small things can help:

🔵 try some physical activity – anything that gets you moving
🔵 make the most of natural light – getting outside or sitting near windows
🔵 plan for tougher days – shifting stressful tasks or building in more rest

There’s also treatment available if you’re finding things really tough – such as light therapy, talking therapies or medication.

Find out more ➡️ www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/

26/11/2025

That November chill has really set in…
But don’t let the cold weather stop you from getting the breastfeeding support you need.

Our helpline is available 24/7, every day of the year.
📞 0300 100 0212
💬 DM us for support

Whatever the weather, we’re here for you ❄

Provided by The Breastfeeding Network (UK), with Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

[ID: National Breastfeeding Helpline. 0300 100 0212 drawn in the ice. Purple banner - 24-hour infant feeding support - every day of the year.]

26/11/2025

25/11/2025

If you're looking for medication to ease cold and flu symptoms while breastfeeding, we have factsheets for that: www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/cold-remedies/

Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as colds and flu 🤧.

Always seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before taking antibiotics.

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25/11/2025

21/11/2025

Our social media messaging service is now working. Thank you for your patience.

We are currently experiencing issues answering messages on social media. If you don't get a response, email us: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk

We will let you know once this has been resolved.

Thank you for your patience🩷

[ID: Please contact us via email, as we are currently experiencing issues receiving notifications through Facebook's Business Suite app, which may affect our response times. druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk]