It is not safe for a nursing mother to breastfeed her baby the morning after she has drunk alcohol. Caffeine does not seem to bother most nursing babies if the mother takes in less than 2 cups of coffee or 2 Cokes a day. Larger amounts may make your baby wakeful and crabby. Some nursing mothers who smoke cigarettes have a decreased milk supply. Waiting as long as possible between smoking and nursing helps.
Babies get nicotine when they breathe in second-hand smoke.
Ask family members and visitors to smoke outside. Some commonly used drugs that are safe for you to take while nursing are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, penicillins, erythromycin, cephalosporins, stool softeners, antihistamines, decongestants, cough drops, nosedrops, eyedrops, and skin creams. Aspirin and sulfa drugs can be taken if your baby is more than 2 weeks old and not jaundiced. Breast milk is still a better choice than formula. Health professionals know the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh possible problems with drugs and chemicals.