Petroleum Gel while Breastfeeding

Breast milk is superior in nutrition, It provides resistance against infections and allergies, It is naturally sterile. Despite all the advantages of breastfeeding some mothers choose to pause the breastfeeding in fear of harmful effects of medicines passing in breast milk. Are you wondering about breastfeeding and using Petroleum Gel ? Know what is Petroleum Gel and how it can affect your breast milk and whether Petroleum Gel is safe for your kid or not.

What is Petroleum Gel used for?


Condition listed above or as directed by the physician

Brief: USES Eczema and dry skin, cracked heels

Is Petroleum Gel usage safe while breastfeeding? If a lactating mother is using it can there be any effect on growth or development of infant?

Petroleum Gel safe while breastfeeding
FDA does not regulate Petroleum Gel. There is no credible study done on safety of Petroleum Gel while breastfeeding, Same holds truth for almost all homeopathic medicines however homeopathic medicines go through a process called potentisation. In potentisation homeopathic preparation goes through repeated dilution and shaking. Homeopaths state that repeated dilution and shaking helps the body to heal naturally. Due to extreme dilution of active ingredients homeopathic medicines are mostly safe in breastfeeding, Hence we can consider Petroleum Gel as safe to use while breastfeeding.. Below we have provided analysis of its active ingredients. Safety rating of ingredients holds truth for herbal product but may not apply for homeopathic diluted drugs.


What if I already have used Petroleum Gel?

Due to high dilution of ingredients in homeopathic medicines they do not create much problem for baby. Petroleum Gel is a homeopathic medicine and if your baby does not have any abnormal symptoms then there is nothing to worry about. Be careful with too much usage of ethanol based homeopathic medicines during breastfeeding.


I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Petroleum Gel, is it safe?

Homeopathic medicines are usually safe in breastfeeding and if Petroleum Gel has been recommended by doctor then there should be no concern about its usage in breastfeeding.


If I am using Petroleum Gel, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not exactly.


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Petroleum Gel in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week