I used Clomid to conceive my three-year-old daughter and nursed her for almost three years years, until I found out I was pregnant with my son. During the time I nursed her, I used Clomid again for two months when she was a little over two, and conceived my son who is now almost eight months old. She nursed only a few moments at night at that point. I am considering having another child and taking Clomid again. My son is still almost totally breastfed. I haven't started menstruating again and will probably wait until that happens. Is it safe during nursing?
Clomid (clomiphene) is often used in the treatment of infertility. It appears to work by changing a woman's hormone balance, causing ovulation, and helping to prepare her body for pregnancy.
Breastfeeding itself is very likely contributing to your infertility at this time, especially since you have not yet seen the return of your menstrual cycle, and your little one continues to be almost exclusively breastfed.
Though the literature states that Clomid is very effective in inhibiting lactation and in suppressing established lactation up to day four postpartum, you did not seem to experience any decrease in milk supply during the time you took Clomid while continuing to nurse your two-year-old daughter (though she was not nursing very much at that time). Anecdotally, I have heard from other mothers of nursing toddlers who were prescribed Clomid for infertility, that they also did not experience the suppressing effects of clomid. Of course, this has not been well-studied and it is wise not to ignore the warnings. Clomid may indeed suppress lactation in many women, particularly when given earlier in the postpartum period.
Additionally, Clomid has not been reviewed by the American Academy of Pediatrics for it's affect on infants and transfer into human milk.
When deciding whether or not to use this, or any other drug while breastfeeding, it is important to consider the benefits of continuing to nurse your baby versus the possible risk of taking this medication. Discuss these issues and your concerns with your healthcare provider before coming to your decision. Very best wishes in becoming pregnant again!
Reference:
- Hale, T., Medications and Mother's Milk, Pharmasoft Publishers, Texas, 158-59, 2000
