Metformin and breastfeeding

[Theplantpoweredmum]

Hi

I have recently been diagnosed with type 2 after having gestational diabetes. I’m back on metformin and been told it’s safe to take while breastfeeding. This is a bit gross so stop reading now if easily offended lol, but my baby has had really bad wind and green poo the last few days, I started the metformin a week ago, does anyone know if it’s related?
I’ve been prescribed a low dose of insulin as the consultant said any other medication isn’t suitable for breastfeeding, the plan is to come off the insulin and try something else once I’ve stopped feeding but I’m just wondering if I should talk to the diabetes team about coming if metformin and increasing my insulin instead??

 

[Bruce Stephens]

This is a bit gross so stop reading now if easily offended lol, but my baby has had really bad wind and green poo the last few days, I started the metformin a week ago, does anyone know if it’s related?

I suspect it's unrelated and is just one of the pleasures of motherhood [ed: parenthood, rather]. However, I'm sure your healthcare team won't be at all bothered by you asking them about it. (And maybe it is related, for all I know.)

 

[eggyg]

I think it is related, sorry @Bruce Stephens! What ever the mother eats/ drinks will enter the baby’s digestive system. When I was breastfeeding, many, many years ago, I couldn’t eat onions, garlic, cabbage or my babies had terrible wind and poos! Are you on slow release Metformin? If not, that may be an option, as we, as adults get wind, and poo a lot on standard Metformin and in my experience changing onto the SR was a game changer. They always give you the standard at first as it is cheaper. Hope that helps, poor baby! 🙂

 

[Pine Marten]

I agree with eggyg, I think it's probably related. I took Metformin for a while and I had similar, er, gastric problems 😱. Thankfully my numbers came down and my GP advised giving it up 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

Only a tiny amount of Metformin gets into breast milk. This has been tested time and time again. That is why NICE say it is OK to take it while breastfeeding because no adverse effects have ever been recorded. There are loads of other reasons for wind and green poo, so I’d mention it to your Health Visitor.