Weight Loss Drugs(GLP-1’s) and Breastfeeding: What New Moms Need to Know

ByVillage Lactation Medicine

The postpartum period comes with a lot of changes, including changes in your body and weight. If you’re breastfeeding and considering a medication like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Zepbound®, or Mounjaro®, you may be wondering:

Can I take a GLP-1 medication while breastfeeding?

The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. The good news is that we have more information than we did a few years ago, and some of the early research is reassuring.

What Are GLP-1 Medications?

GLP-1 medications are used to treat conditions such as diabetes and obesity. They can decrease appetite, slow digestion, improve blood sugar control, and promote weight loss.

Some of the medications in this group include:

  • Semaglutide – Ozempic® and Wegovy®
  • Tirzepatide – Mounjaro® and Zepbound®
  • Liraglutide – Saxenda® and Victoza®
  • Orforglipron – a newer oral GLP-1 medication

Because these medications reduce appetite, breastfeeding mothers need to think about more than just how much medication gets into breast milk.

What Do We Know About Semaglutide?

We now have a small amount of human research on injectable semaglutide.

In a 2024 study of eight breastfeeding women, semaglutide was not detected in any of the breast milk samples. Researchers estimated that even under a worst-case scenario, the amount an infant could receive through breast milk would be very small—about 1% of the mother’s weight-adjusted dose.

The babies in this study were between 4 and 23 months old, so these results don’t tell us as much about newborns or premature babies.

Bottom line: The available information about injectable semaglutide is reassuring, but the studies are still very small. We don’t yet have enough information about long-term effects on breastfed babies.

Injectable vs. oral semaglutide

This distinction is important.

Injectable semaglutide (Ozempic®/Wegovy®) and oral semaglutide (Rybelsus®) are not the same when it comes to breastfeeding.

Rybelsus® contains an additional ingredient called SNAC, which can enter breast milk. Because of concerns about exposure to the infant, oral semaglutide is not recommended during breastfeeding.

What About Zepbound® and Mounjaro®?

Tirzepatide is another medication that has received a lot of attention.

We now have some early human data here, too.

In a study of breastfeeding women taking tirzepatide, the medication was undetectable in most breast milk samples. When it was detected, the amount was extremely small.

That’s encouraging, but there are still important unanswered questions about infant blood levels and long-term effects.

For that reason, tirzepatide should still be considered carefully during breastfeeding, particularly if you are breastfeeding a newborn or premature baby.

Could GLP-1 Medications Affect My Milk Supply?

We don’t currently have good evidence that these medications directly decrease milk production.

However, they can significantly decrease appetite and may cause nausea or vomiting.

That matters during breastfeeding because your body needs adequate nutrition and energy to support both your own health and lactation.

If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication while breastfeeding, it’s important to make sure you’re:

  • Eating enough throughout the day
  • Getting adequate protein and other nutrients
  • Staying hydrated
  • Monitoring your milk supply
  • Keeping up with your baby’s routine weight checks

If you’re having significant nausea, vomiting, difficulty eating, or a noticeable drop in milk production, talk with your healthcare provider.

Should I Wait Until My Baby Is Older?

There isn’t a specific number of weeks or months that is considered “safe” for everyone.

The decision depends on several factors, including:

  • Your reason for taking the medication
  • Your baby’s age and health
  • Whether your baby was premature
  • Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding
  • Your milk supply
  • Your nutritional intake
  • Your breastfeeding goals

Extra caution makes sense during the newborn period, when milk production is still being established and babies are particularly dependent on breast milk for their nutrition.

What If I Want to Lose Weight While Breastfeeding?

You don’t have to choose between caring for your health and breastfeeding.

For many mothers, a gradual approach is appropriate:

Eat enough. Focus on protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats rather than aggressive calorie restriction.

Move gradually. Once you’re medically cleared, walking, strength training, and other activities can support your health.

Drink to thirst. Staying hydrated is important, but forcing yourself to drink excessive amounts of water does not increase milk supply.

Give yourself time. Your body went through pregnancy and childbirth. There is no need to rush back to your pre-pregnancy weight.

And if weight, diabetes, or another medical condition is affecting your health, it’s completely reasonable to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

We know more about GLP-1 medications and breastfeeding than we did a few years ago.

Injectable semaglutide and tirzepatide appear to enter breast milk in very small or undetectable amounts based on the limited studies we have so far. However, the research is still new, and we don’t yet have enough information about long-term effects on breastfed infants.

That doesn’t mean these medications are automatically unsafe during breastfeeding—but it also doesn’t mean they’re proven completely risk-free.

The right decision depends on you, your baby, your health, your breastfeeding goals, and the specific medication you’re considering.

Remember: postpartum recovery takes time. Be gentle with yourself — your health and your baby’s well-being come first.

If you’re considering a GLP-1 medication while breastfeeding, talk with your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks rather than stopping breastfeeding or medication on your own.

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