GLP-1 Agonists and Breastfeeding

What Every New Parent Needs to Know

When it comes to medications and breastfeeding, the instinctive answer is almost always “no,” even when clear evidence is lacking. You’ve just brought a new human into the world, survived sleepless nights of feeding and burping, and now you’re told to avoid anything that might help you feel yourself again. Whether it’s a simple painkiller, an antidepressant, or a cutting-edge GLP-1 agonist like semaglutide, the reflex is to steer clear, leaving many mothers torn between their own well-being and the fear of harming their baby. It’s time we challenge that blanket ban, look at the data, and find a balanced path forward.

Here’s the blunt truth: we’re moving from “absolutely no” to “maybe yes”. New data show semaglutide barely shows up in breast milk. Even if it did, babies break it down in their tummies. Still, no one should dive in blind. You owe it to yourself and your baby to know the full picture.