Botox While Breastfeeding: What Should Come First Your Baby or Beauty?

Motherhood, a blessing in disguise, sure can make your body a little bit unpleasant. If you are a new mother, you may be excited by visuals showing seemingly perfect models with catchy taglines.

A false promise to make everything as good as new may make some feel inferior to them. Some even choose the hard way, getting botox injections. But is it safe to have botox while breastfeeding?

Having Botox while breastfeeding is not harmful to the baby’s health. The amount of botox used in cosmetic treatment doesn’t add any toxins to milk. But there are no conclusive studies to show the actual effect of botox on nursing moms. So, it is better to consult your doctor before starting botox.

Restorative treatments like fillers and botox are an attractive way to regain your lost confidence. Well, there is nothing wrong with improving oneself. But it is essential to know what is safe for both of you. In this article, we will discuss everything, from top to toe, about botox while breastfeeding.

Is Botox safe for you? Can you use it without any problems? Will it affect your baby? Every single question will be answered in this botox while breastfeeding 2022 article. Stay tuned to learn more.

Table of Content

Is Botox Safe While Breastfeeding?

Unfortunately, there is very little data or research available on botox and breastfeeding studies. The FDA approved using Botox for medical purposes in 2014, within the safe limit margin. However, the institute did not clarify whether you can use Botox during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In a few marketing trials, researchers found this piece of evidence:

There is a minimal amount of purified botulinum toxin type A in each injection of Botox, which is one-thousandth of the lethal dose.
Using Botox injections during breastfeeding is unlikely to cause any harm to the baby, directly or indirectly.

Even though the toxins rarely pass through breast milk, being safe is crucial. Better safe than sorry, we guess! It might be best to feed the baby before the Botox injection. Then wait only some hours after receiving it before breastfeeding again. Waiting a few hours can further reduce the chances of passing any of the Botox to the baby.

Benefits of Botox While Breastfeeding

Doing botox mainly came into trend due to its magical anti-aging properties. But moms may need them for grave issues. As we know, pregnancy causes a massive hormonal surge in your body.

The effects can last up to six to eight weeks after the delivery. This causes some serious health problems for the mother. Surprisingly, some of those can get benefits from having botox while breastfeeding.

These benefits can be the following:

Post-pregnancy migraine can be complicated to manage, even with proper medication. Using Botox for migraines while breastfeeding can be a lifesaver.
Botox injections can also help reduce urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.
A deep-conditioning treatment that coats hair fibers with keratin is called hair botox. While breastfeeding, your hair can become lusterless and frizzy. Hair botox will help with this problem.
Nurturing moms can suffer from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Botox for hyperhidrosis while breastfeeding can be a great solution.

Check for the other benefits of Botox for your body.

Things to Keep In Mind For Nursing Moms Before Getting Botox

Whether using Botox while breastfeeding is safe or not, you must be careful.

Nonetheless, botulinum toxin is hazardous and can even cause death. Always follow these rules to prevent serious illness and side effects:

Botox injections should always be prescribed by a doctor and given by a licensed medical professional. A doctor can prescribe the correct dose of this hazardous medication, and a licensed medical professional will know how to inject the medication safely into the muscle without injuring the veins.
Do not use any Botox or filler that your doctor doesn’t prescribe. Vials of botulinum toxins from unauthorized places like over the internet, on the street, or from an unreliable vendor can contain higher doses than usual.
Avoid using fake Botox, for instance, contaminated medications, medications with the wrong dosage, and vials after the expiration date.

The botox injection may get to your baby even if you use the botox injection. If you administrate this frequently, it still will not give them any side effects. But even so, there are some specific recommendations that you should follow before considering a breastfeeding mother.

Risks of Botox While Breastfeeding

The commercial packaging of Botox contains far less botulinum toxin than the commercial version, but still, it is the deadliest biochemical. The estimated human lethal dose of type A toxin is 1.3–2.1 nanograms/kg intravenously or intramuscularly, 10–131 nanograms/kg when inhaled, or 1000 nanograms/kg when ingested by mouth. What are the dangers of using Botox while breastfeeding?

Botox Side Effects While Breastfeeding

At the baseline dose, the side effects of Botox can include pain, swelling, and bruising at the site of the injection, dry mouth, headache, fatigue, etc. Side effects from cosmetic usage of Botox fundamentally result from unintended paralysis of facial muscles.

These include partial facial paralysis, muscle weakness, and trouble swallowing. Side effects are not limited to whole-body paralysis. Others are flu-like symptoms and allergic reactions. As cosmetic treatments take several months, paralysis can last the same duration.

If the botulinum toxin spans beyond the site being treated, it can cause botulinum poisoning. Call the doctor immediately if any of these happen.

For the mother

Side effects of Botox while breastfeeding can be the following:

Difficulty in swallowing or dysphagia
Trouble talking, as feeling a mass in the throat
Muscular weakness or myalgia
Difficulty in breathing and shortness of breathing
Droopy eyelids or ptosis
Blurred vision and double vision
Signs of an allergic reaction include itching, rash, hives, wheezing, etc.

For the baby

Although side effects in the breastfed baby are rare, monitor the child for any signs of weakness, especially gut problems. Combining Botox and breastfeeding, infant risk is far less severe than the mother. Some notable symptoms are:

Stomach ache
Excessive sleepiness
Lethargy and less activity
Less hunger and crying

How Botox Works For Nursing Mothers

Breastfeeding plays an essential role in building a strong bond between the mother and baby. More significantly, it is the only source the baby has, at least for the first six months of life.

Whatever the mom eats or drinks may pass to the baby via her breast milk. Doctors also say that even drugs and medications can be present virtually in breast milk. Doing botox injections while breastfeeding due to this reason, needs constant evaluation and skills.

Can you get botox while breastfeeding? There is no straight answer to that, as very few data are available to determine its safety. Let’s look at the timeline of your botox injection for a better grip on the situation.

Let’s say you did facial botox while breastfeeding. The doctor injected the muscle, and after several minutes, the toxin entered the blood. The half-life is half an hour in the blood, on average. If you breastfeed your baby during that period, there is a chance of toxins reaching the baby. In theories, it is possible, but the scientists found no clear evidence of it.

Many people mix up Botox with botulism. Despite having a common origin, these are not related at all. Botulism is the condition when the botulinum toxin enters the baby’s body at a lethal dose and causes toxicity.

Botox does not cause botulism because there are no live bacteria. You can safely use filler while breastfeeding unless there are restrictions.

We will advise visiting a plastic surgeon before doing any botox and fillers while breastfeeding. It will help you find the correct dose and schedule your botox injections.

Please remember to address the fact that you got botox while breastfeeding before and were there any side effects. Follow the rules given by your doctor, and you’ll be good to go.

Does Botox While Nursing Help?

So, it works for fine-tuning your wrinkled and crinkly skin. How does Botox do this magic? Botulinum toxin seems to have its effect by gluing the critical proteins required for nerve activation. First, the toxin binds to nerve terminals that use the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Once attached to the nerve terminal, the neuron carries the toxin into the vesicle with the aid of an endosomal-mediated receptor. When the vesicle advances deeper into the cell, it acidifies, activating a portion of the toxin. It enables the toxin to migrate through the vesicle membrane and into the cell cytoplasm.

Once inside the cytoplasm, the antibody cleaves SNARE proteins, the vesicle fusion proteins, and binds with the terminal receptors.

Botox is a temporary treatment, so it must be redone every five to six months. Botox and extended breastfeeding is still a matter of discussion to this day.

Alternatives to Botox while breastfeeding

If you are still unsure of using Botox, you can check out Botox alternatives while breastfeeding. They are equally effective as the Botox injection and, not to mention, a safer choice for moms. You can pick any of these alternatives for a better result without harming your baby.

Chinese Acupuncture
Massage and cupping therapy, e.g., FaceXercise, Juvederm, etc.
Collagen supplements and creams
Chemical peels and exfoliators
Cinnamon powder and peppermint oil injections
Hyaluronic acid injections
Microdermabrasion or dermal rolls
Face Saver Ball or Yamuna Face Ball
Frotox or patches containing liquid nitrogen
Frownies or sticky patches
VTOX, a patch with neuro-peptides and algae extract
CO₂ laser resurfacing

The Pump and Dump Method: How Does it work With Botox?

If you are still afraid to combine Botox and breastfeeding, pump and dump can come in handy.

We know moms may do something that may have an adverse effect on their children. The pump and dump method was developed to recognize the tremendous physical and psychological benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and baby.

As your body will only continue to produce breast milk in response to the baby’s stimulation, mothers need some way of future breastfeeding. It is suitable for anyone having botox while a nursing toddler.

The pumping and dumping process is removing the milk from your breasts artificially, preferably using a breast pump, and then throwing away the milk. This signals your body to keep producing breast milk while you can keep the baby safe from toxicity. Pretty clever idea! And it works perfectly with botox while breastfeeding. Mumsnet also approves of this method.

A study done by NCBI in 2018 showed some promising results. According to it- “Type A botulinum toxin was detected in the blood and stools of a nursing mother after ingesting fermented salmon eggs. She was given 2 vials of trivalent botulism antitoxin, 1 intravenously and 1 intramuscularly.

A milk sample obtained 3 days after the onset of her illness and 4 hours after administration of botulinum antitoxin had neither detectable botulinum toxin nor botulism organisms.” So, we have scientists backing it up, too.

Quick Tips and No need for Botox!

The equation is simple – no wrinkle means no Botox injection! You can do some easy remedies at home instead of getting botox while breastfeeding. We have listed some tips that help prevent or reduce appearing fine lines and wrinkles below:

Try to wear sunscreens or creams that have at least 30 SPF and give UVB and UVA protection, simultaneously
Drink plenty of water and use a moisturizer
Avoid the use of any tanning beds, UV lights, and products
Avoid skin lightening or whitening products
Wash your face frequently and remove makeup before sleep
Always wear protection in the sun and wind, including hats, long sleeves, and dark sunglasses
Use a homemade mask or serum with pineapple, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar
Use a homemade scrub made of finely ground white sugar mixed with coconut oil or olive oil
Use skin rehydrating creams, oils, and serums, which are rich in glycerin and hyaluronic acids
Sleep at least six to seven hours daily

Reviews From Real Moms

Still confused about whether to get that needle or not? Hear some real-life botox while breastfeeding reviews from real moms. In a community forum, we have found these comments:

“Hello mamas, I asked my doc if Botox was safe during breastfeeding, and she surprisingly said yes. Thankfully my son is now 6 months, so he’s had that much milk Botox free. I thought he was weaned, and since my doc said Botox was safe, I went ahead and did it.” – Madison Miller.

“I’ve had Botox whilst breastfeeding; I just bottle-fed for the next feed. The baby is absolutely fine. My dermatologist thought it was ok and had done it herself…but said it was at my own risk. I think it’s a personal choice about relative risks, but I decided that it would be ok. I’m not going to get more until I’m done breastfeeding, though.” – Slinky carrot.

“My dermatologist gave me Botox. It’s fine. He did Botox on his wife while she was breastfeeding”. – ksilva2012.

FAQs

Does botulinum toxin pass through breast milk?

There isn’t a lot of research out there about Botox and breastfeeding. Reed says. Their amounts are probably small, but Botox hangs out for three to four months in your tissues. And eventually could pass to the breast milk.

Can you do fillers while breastfeeding?

Yes, you can do filler or Botox while breastfeeding. There is very little data on the safety of Botox while breastfeeding.

What happens if you get Botox while breastfeeding?

Nothing significant has been found after the use. Although botulinum toxin is life-threatening, small doses used in Botox are considered safe. Still, the overall risk is minimal, and Botox is considered safe overall. You should consult a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon before using Botox injections while breastfeeding.

Can anyone breastfeed after Botox?

Yes, you can breastfeed your baby after the injection. No specific data exist on the medical use of botulin A toxin during breastfeeding. However, it is not detectable in the blood after intramuscular usage. Thus, excretion into breast milk is very unlikely.

How long does Botox stay in breast milk?

There was some evidence of the toxin entering the bloodstream or the lymph system. But Botox in the blood cannot enter the breast tissues. Even if it enters the tissue, the amount is minimal and lasts for about a few minutes.

Can babies get botulism from breast milk?

No, your baby will not get botulism. Botulism can’t be transmitted by breast milk. Although the bacterial spores that cause infant botulism are known to be present in honey occasionally, spores are too large to pass through breast milk.

In the end

We know that the decision of whether to get botox while breastfeeding or not can be confusing. We suggest you take your time to research the matter yourself, ask your friends, and then come to a conclusion. Don’t stress too much. Just relax and take a leap of faith.

We hope you liked this article. Please check other related topics on the site. Thank you for reading.

Other Helpful Tips for Nursing Moms: