Hypertension is a medical illness in which the blood pressure in your arteries is constantly elevated. This condition can potentially be hazardous, leading to heart attacks and strokes, among other complications. Hypertension occurs during and after pregnancy in about 15 percent of women, and it can be particularly problematic when the baby is still breastfeeding, because the medications the mother takes can affect her child.
Step 1
Visit your doctor to explore other medication options if you are still suffering from hypertension. You may have to switch your baby to formula to treat your hypertension, depending on the type of drug your physician prescribes. Some drugs, such as resperine, are effective in treating hypertension but are potentially hazardous to children and should not be taken when breastfeeding.
Step 2
Reduce your intake of sodium and cholesterol, and consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables to relieve your heightened blood pressure.
Step 3
Take prolactin or other low-dose diuretics commonly used to treat hypertension. These will relax your arteries and blood pressure, and they are safe to consume while breastfeeding because they don't pose any threat to infants when taken in small doses. However, these drugs may decrease your milk production.
Step 4
Take beta-blockers, which are usually supplied to individuals with cardiovascular problems to improve their cardiovascular health. These are safe for your infant to consume through your breast milk.
