OBJECTIVE: Study the profile of medicines used by breastfeeding mothers of infants during the first six months of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled all breastfeeding mothers of infants aged birth to six months, assisted at health care centers during a period of six months. A structured questionnaire regarding medicines used during theses 6-month breastfeeding period was answered by the mothers. RESULTS: 502 mothers were interviewed and 341 (68%) of them informed the use of one or more medicines during the first six months of life of their breastfed infants. Of these, 316 (93%) followed medical prescriptions and 25 (7%) reported over-the-counter use. The most consumed medicines were iron preparations and vitamins (59%), followed by analgesic/antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs (15%), hormones (12%), antibiotics (7%) and medication for nausea (2%). Only three (1%) mothers had interrupted breastfeeding due to lithium carbonate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: considering that great part of lactating mothers uses some medicine during breastfeeding, it is important to improve the knowledge of health professionals regarding the relationships between lactation and medicines of common use, in order to reduce damages of inappropriate and inadvertent administration of medications through human milk, as well as to decrease inappropriate and early cessation of breastfeeding.
breastfeeding; child care; primary health care
