Is It Safe to Take Melatonin While Nursing?

Melissa,
Please don't jeopardize your developing baby's health by asking non-licensed people about medicines/drugs to take. You should ask your OB/GYN about this. We're all mothers on here and really aren't the best source for your type of question.
I know this forum is great for advice on dealing with emotional and even psycological issues sometimes, but when it comes to the medical/health field, there's really no replacement for your doctor. :)
-Jen

i definatly would NOT take any medication that helps you sleep while breast feeding. i dont think this is a problem of being tired with a five month old. sleep meds are for those that cannot fall asleep. if given the chance i bet you would take a looooong nap. there are books out there that talk about helping a baby sleep. after a few more months your baby will be sleeping threw the night. HANG IN THERE MOMMA!

I would ask a midwife. Midwives often prefer more natural remedies and stay current on all the latest research. They are very qualified to address this question as they are licensed to care for mothers pregnant or not and newborn babies who are often nursing. If it is safe for a newborn nursing baby it stands to reason it is safe for an older nursing baby. You can track down a midwife online or Houston has a store called A Woman's Work, website is www.awomanswork.com They have a Certified Nurse Midwife office/business inside their store. She probably wouldn't mind answering such a minor question at no charge. Doesn't hurt to ask. They also have lactation consultants on staff there that might know the answer. It is probably a common question of the type of customers they get in there.

Good luck solving your sleep issues while keeping your baby safe!

...regarding melatonin while breastfeding...try taking chamomile tea instead as it helps your body to release melatonin naturally into your system to help you sleep. chamomile is great and also helps baby to sleep at night...just give baby a teaspoonful of or use a dropper of about 2.5 mg. It works for my baby. Make sure you take a 2 day break from drinking chamomile tea after 7days of use as you may develope a ragweed alergy. Chamomile is one of the main ingredients in Gripe water... used for babies for 100's of years to treat colic, hickups, upset tummy, etc. in infants. Hope this helps.
...also, regular docs don't know anything about melatonin...ask a naturopath or nutritionist instead.

I would not take it. Start with trying a small dose of benadryl. It worked for me when I nursed and was too anxious to sleep.

We give melatonin to my son with autism because he has serious sleep issues. However there are not many studies on children and none that I know of for nursing babies. I would not chance it, even if my dr. recommended it.

Its been a few years since I have breastfed but I believe what you put in your body can be transported to the baby through your milk.

I would give your question a big NO and follow the other's mom's advice and ask a doctor, please! Possibly putting drugs in your babies system is no light matter.

You have a 5 month old, no sleep sometimes is just part of the deal when you are a new momma. Give it time, this stage doesn't last forever. Good luck, we've all been there!

Yes, I was told specifically by my doctor to take melatonin while i was nursing, also benedryl was another option (diphenahydramine). The baby just may need something heavier in thier tummy to get more sleep though. Good Luck :)

I don't know much about the effects on Melantonin during breastfeeding...but don't take benadryl! 1) That isn't what it is for 2) It can dry up your supply. You also should not take anything that could "enhance" sleep if you ever bring your baby into your bed to nurse.

There are many medications and supplements that are considered safe to take while breastfeeding. But it isn't really because they've been proven to have no effect...just that there hasn't been a study or evidence that there IS a problem.

Is your 5-month old just not sleeping? Unless he/she is going through a growth spurt, you should only expect a breatfeeding child to go 3-4 hours between feedings...though some may go longer at this age. You should probably explore other possibilities for settling them down.

good luck...it is never easy