Objectives Breastfeeding provides essential health benefits for infants and mothers, yet initiation and continuation can be influenced by maternal medication use. Uncertainty regarding medication safety may lead to early discontinuation or avoidance of necessary treatment.
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of breastfeeding initiation and continuation at 6 months post partum among women using medications. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
Data sources PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) and Google Scholar were searched up to 30 November 2024. Eligibility criteria For selecting studies: We included cohort, cross-sectional and observational studies reporting breastfeeding initiation at birth and continuation at 6 months post partum among women aged ≥18 years using medications during pregnancy or post partum.
Studies reporting medication type and duration of breastfeeding were prioritised. Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers screened, extracted and coded data using standardised methods.
Risk of bias was assessed using validated tools.
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 24 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Breastfeeding initiation and continuation among women on medicines: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.