Can I breastfeed with hypothyroidism?

Hi all,

I’m currently 4 months pregnant and my doubt is if I can breastfeed my baby or is it contraindicated??

Hello newmom,

there is no general answer to this question. Nursing is not contraindicated per se, but some mothers with hypothyroidism struggle to make a full milk supply.

The reason why this happens is that thyroid hormones contribute to normal breast development and are responsible for milk production. Consequently, when not enough of the thyroid hormones are made, the milk supply might decrease.

The only cases in which nursing might be contraindicated are certain types of medication for hypothyroidism treatment. Having said that, most medications for hypothyroidism are safe for breastfeeding. In case of doubts, we recommend you consult your physician and get your medication doses adjusted accordingly.

In the meantime, you can consult our post on breastfeeding in order to get more information: Breastfeeding: What Is the Best Method For My Baby?

Hope this helps,

best regards.