An Overview of Novolin 70/30 and Breastfeeding
You should talk with your healthcare provider before taking Novolin
® 70/30 (or any other
insulin) if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, since breastfeeding can affect your insulin requirements. You need to have a clear plan in place for how to deal with the challenges of safely controlling your blood sugar while breastfeeding.
Can I Breastfeed While Taking Novolin 70/30?
Most healthcare providers consider insulins (including
Novolin 70/30) to be safe for breastfeeding women. While no studies have been done to see if the drug passes through breast milk in humans, this probably does not matter. Even if it does pass through breast milk, Novolin 70/30 would likely be destroyed in the digestive tract of the infant. Insulin is a protein that is digested and inactivated when taken by mouth. This is why insulin cannot be taken by mouth but must be injected.
The most significant risk to a breastfeeding woman (or to anyone, for that matter) due to the use of insulin is dangerously low blood sugar. Be sure to check your blood sugar often, and be sure you know exactly what to do if you experience low blood sugar.
It is important to expect that breastfeeding can affect your blood sugar and your insulin requirements. Make sure you and your healthcare provider have a plan for safely controlling your blood sugar while breastfeeding. You may need to test your blood sugar more frequently than you have in the past.
