Senna During Breastfeeding: Safety And Health Benefits

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Senna is known to be an FDA-approved over-the-counter laxativeⁱA substance that encourages bowel movement. . But is it safe to consume senna while breastfeeding? When nursing your newborn baby, you should monitor your intake of food or medicines as it can directly affect your baby. Consulting your doctor is important before you start anything new. Senna is mostly prescribed as a natural remedy for constipation. Read on to know more about senna, its usage, effects, and probable side effects of long-term use.

What Is Senna?

Senna is a laxative derived from the leaves and seeds of the senna herb and is a popular medicinal plant in traditional and alternative medicine (1). It is an FDA-approved, non-prescription laxative (available over-the-counter) that is used to treat constipation and help clear the bowels before a colonoscopyⁱA procedure where the doctor uses a scope to examine the intestines and rectum. (2). It has been found that senna seeds are gentler than senna leaves, which makes the use of senna seeds for laxative purposes desirable and has no harmful effects on the liver, digestive system, or other parts of the body.

If you are suffering from abdominal cramps, diarrhea, stomach upset, or other gastrointestinal tract issues, you should not take senna supplements without consulting a medical practitioner (3). This is because the senna laxative is a stimulantⁱA medication that boosts your breathing rate, heart rate, and brain function. that irritates the inner lining of the bowel (4). If a patient is already suffering from loose bowel movements before taking senna, it can further aggravate the situation.

The primary active ingredients in senna are compounds known as sennosides. Sennosides function by irritating the colon wall, which increases fluid secretion into the colon and stimulates bowel movements. This action gives rise to the contractions that propel fecal matter through the large intestine (5).

In the case of pregnant women or nursing mothers, they must consult with their physicians before taking any herbal medicines, or herbal supplements with senna as the main constituent.Senna should only be taken in a limited dose, and it is meant to only be used as a short-term treatment for constipation (4).

Senna During Breastfeeding

Taking senna while breastfeeding has been considered controversial in the past. The WHO states that senna is safe during breastfeeding, recommending its use when dietary adjustments fail to relieve maternal constipation (6). However, it can still be an issue of concern for lactating women’s health and wellness (7).

Since constipation and irregular bowel movements are common ailments during pregnancy and postpartum recovery, the use of senna during this period and while breastfeeding has been supported by medical organizations. It’s very important that the recommended dosage of senna in maternal nutrition should never be exceeded (8).

Expert says

According to the UK NHS, use Senna only after trying osmoticⁱA kind of laxative that makes bowel movements easier by drawing more water into the intestines. and bulk-forming laxativesⁱLaxatives that absorb water from intestines and swell to form soft, bulky stool. (1).

Effects Of Senna While Breastfeeding

Recent studies state there is no harm in taking senna in recommended amounts for the short term while nursing. Some infants may experience mild changes in bowel movements, but significant issues such as diarrhea are uncommon. In cases where mothers consumed moderate amounts of senna shortly after childbirth, most infants showed no noticeable stool abnormalities. A study report states, “Infant bowel habits were not affected by senna administration to nursing mothers. The evidence suggests that the active principles of senna if they are transmitted in breast milk have no effect on the evacuation patterns of nursed infants (9).”

Even with higher doses, adverse effects in breastfed infants were rare. Some instances of looser stools were reported, but these were not consistently linked to senna use (8).

Although other research shows that trace amounts of senna may cross into breast milk, it does not seem to cause any problem for nursing babies. If mothers use the laxative always within recommended amounts, senna should not change the frequency or consistency of infants’ stools (8).

Quick fact

Senna intake may make your pee reddish brown. However, the change in urine color is harmless and resolves as soon as the intake is discontinued (1).

Long-Term Use Of Senna

The prolonged intake of senna can be detrimental to maternal health.

If consumed for a long time or in high doses, senna can severely damage your liver, affect colon health, lead to laxative dependence, and irritate the stomach lining. It is always preferred that the dosage for this laxative be given in small, short-term, and controlled amounts to prevent any side effects or long-term problems. If a mother taking senna notices symptoms of loose stools or diarrhea while breastfeeding, the consumption of the senna laxative should be immediately discontinued (10).

Furthermore, if you are taking medications such as diuretics or other laxatives, consult your doctor before using senna, as it may interfere with the effectiveness of the medications and increase the risk of side effects (7). Senna may also cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms can include itching, hives, skin rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (11).

Even though there is no concrete evidence of senna causing diarrhea in nursing infants, it is always desirable that the mothers consume the laxative in moderation and keep an eye on the infant’s health.

Infographic: Risks Of Taking Senna With Other Medications When Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers need to avoid Senna if they are taking any of the drugs mentioned in the infographic. Senna may interact with these medications and cause side effects, which might also affect the breastfeeding infant. You may save and share it with other nursing moms.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Senna While Breastfeeding - Safety And Health Benefits

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Jessica MaddenMD, FAAP, IBCLC

Jessica Madden is a pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation consultant, and mother of four, who has been taking care of newborns for more than 19 years now. She works as a neonatologist in the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded Primrose Newborn Care, a newborn medicine and “4th trimester” home-visiting and telemedicine practice, in 2018.

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Anindita GhatakB.Tech

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