Heartburn When Breastfeeding: Causes And Safe Medications

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While it is common for women to experience heartburn during pregnancy, some may continue to experience heartburn when breastfeeding as well. Also known as acid refluxⁱA digestive disorder in which stomach acid comes back up the food pipe, causing a burning sensation in the chest. , pyrosis, or cardialgia, it is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the center of the chest. It happens due to the reflux of stomach acids into the oral cavityⁱThe area of the mouth, including the lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue. from the lower end of the esophagus ( food pipe), leading to an unpleasant taste and discomfort (1) (2). It may help to know that simple changes in diet and lifestyle can manage or reduce heartburn symptoms. However, you may even consult your doctor if you have any doubts. Read this post as we talk about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and management of heartburn during pregnancy.

Does Breastfeeding Cause Heartburn?

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There is no direct correlation between breastfeeding and heartburn. Women who are more prone to heartburn might find their situation aggravated during breastfeeding due to sleep deprivation, stress, pregnancy-induced weight gain, food choices or bending down frequently.

Can You Breastfeed When Having Heartburn?

Yes, it is safe to breastfeed even when you have heartburn. It is unlikely for your baby to face any problems due to your heartburn. If you are concerned, then you may contact your baby’s doctor. In addition, contact your medical provider or registered dietitian to discuss your diet to determine what foods are causing heartburn and to develop a plan that best suits your needs.

Is It Common To Get Heartburn When Breastfeeding?

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There is no proven correlation between the occurrence of heartburn and breastfeeding. Heartburn can occur at any time, including when you are breastfeeding. While the exact prevalence of heartburn in lactating mothers is not known, not all lactating mothers develop heartburn.

Some factors like smoking, high body weight, etc., make a woman more susceptible to heartburn while breastfeeding. Women who experienced heartburn during pregnancy might be more prone to developing this discomfort while nursing.

Quick fact

Reduced esophageal sphincterⁱRing of muscles in the esophagus that controls the passage of food and liquid through the esophagus and prevents regurgitation. tone caused by increased progesteroneⁱA female reproductive hormone that plays a vital role in menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. during pregnancy may continue after delivery and cause heartburn in some lactating women (2).

Symptoms Of Heartburn While Breastfeeding

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The symptoms of heartburn in breastfeeding mothers are similar to other adults. The following symptoms could indicate heartburn (3) (4).

• Burning in the chest or upper abdomen
• Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
• Coughing
• Hiccups
• Hoarseness of voice
• A feeling of food being stuck in the throat
• Pain in shoulders, upper back or chest pain

These symptoms appear shortly after eating or drinking a beverage and may persist for a few minutes to many hours. These symptoms might worsen while lying down or bending over.

When To See A Doctor?

Heartburn usually resolves with diet and lifestyle changes. But if it continues to bother you a lot and shows no signs of relief, then you must see a doctor. The doctor may give you suggestions on dietary changes, tell you about the foods to avoid while breastfeeding, and prescribe medicines to control the acid reflux.

What You Can Take For Heartburn When Breastfeeding?

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The doctor might prescribe one of the following medicines to help you with heartburn (2) (5). This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered a replacement for assessment or treatment by a healthcare provider.

1. Antacids

Antacids provide rapid and short-term relief from heartburn. The following are the common contents of the prescribed antacids.

• Hydroxide salts of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or their combinations
• Alginic acidⁱA natural carbohydrate used in foods as a thickening, emulsifying, and gelling agent.
• Simethicone

Point to consider

Aluminum-containing antacids may cause constipation if consumed in excess. Also, none of these contents pass into breast milk as they act locally to neutralize acid (6).

2. Histamine H2- blockers

Ranitidine and famotidine are the commonly prescribed histamine H2-blockers to help with heartburn during lactation.

3. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI)

PPIs are said to be the most effective drugs for chronic acid reflux disease. Pantoprazole and omeprazole are the commonly prescribed PPIs for heartburn during lactation.

4. Other drugs

Depending on your condition and requirements, the doctor might also prescribe medicines containing baclofen to treat your heartburn.

Heartburn that happens during breastfeeding is treated the same way it is treated in non-lactating mothers. The first line of medicines is usually antacids, followed by other options. Do not take any medicines without consulting your doctor.

Causes Of Heartburn When Breastfeeding

The exact cause for heartburn during breastfeeding is not known.

However, the following are a few common causes for heartburn among adults (3) (4).

• Obesity
• Stress
• Smoking
• Spicy food like black pepper, mustard, etc.
• Food high in fat
• Foods such as coffee, chocolate, acidic foods like orange juices, tomatoes, grapefruits
• Lying down within two hours of eating
• Bending over frequently to care for the baby
• Consuming caffeinated drinks in large amounts
• Eating large meals that leads to stomach discomfort
• Wearing tight clothes
• Medications like NSAIDs, aspirin, some blood pressure medicines, sedatives, and ibuprofen

Quick tip

Maintaining a journal helps identify foods and activities that could be triggering heartburn. Also, you can find a customized solution accordingly (4).

Preventing Heartburn When Breastfeeding

Heartburn in lactating women is mostly due to lifestyle and dietary reasons. Therefore, to prevent them, inculcate the following habits (4).

• If you are overweight, try to lose weight
• Eat a healthy, wholesome diet

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• Avoid junk, fried, spicy and unhealthy food
• Do not consume excess caffeinated drinks
• Quit smoking
• Avoid food items that you notice cause heartburn
• Eat small meals
• Avoid lying down after a meal
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes
• Raise your head using pillows or lift the bed with blocks so that you are elevated, thus letting gravity reduce acid reflux

Infographic: Tips On Preventing Heartburn When Breastfeeding

Although more common during pregnancy, breastfeeding mothers may also experience heartburn due to hormonal and lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, there are a few things breastfeeding mothers can do to prevent heartburn, as suggested in the infographic below. If your heartburn does not resolve after following these remedies, speak to your doctor.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Heartburn While Breastfeeding What Medications Are Safe

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Yinés Garcia-TaylorBSN, RN, IBCLC

Yinés Garcia-Taylor is an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), registered nurse (RN), mother, and founder of Prenatal Yini; a private in-home and virtual lactation consulting service.In her ten years of experience, she has been supporting breastfeeding families in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Read full bio of Yinés Garcia-Taylor

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

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