Semaglutide and Breastfeeding

If you’re a new mom wondering about semaglutide and breastfeeding, you’re not alone.

Many women ask if they can safely use semaglutide, whether for weight loss or type 2 diabetes, while nursing.

The short answer?

Early research on injectable semaglutide is promising.

It hasn’t been detected in breast milk, and estimated infant exposure is extremely low.

But oral forms carry more concerns, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about long-term effects.

Here’s what the science says, how injectable and oral semaglutide compare, and what to consider before making your decision.

Quick Comparison: Injectable vs. Oral Semaglutide While Breastfeeding

Form	Detected in Breast Milk?	Relative Infant Dose (RID)	Recommendation While Breastfeeding
Injectable (Ozempic, Wegovy)	No detectable levels in recent studies	≤1.26% (well under 10% safety threshold)	Can be considered with provider guidance
Oral (Rybelsus)	Limited research; potential concerns from salcaprozate sodium additive	Not established	Avoid during breastfeeding unless provider advises otherwise

Key Takeaways

Let’s break what the key takeaways:

Injectable semaglutide hasn’t been detected in breast milk and has an RID ≤1.26%.

Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is generally not recommended while breastfeeding.

Rapid weight loss can impact milk supply and maternal nutrition.

Always discuss your postpartum weight management goals with your healthcare provider before starting semaglutide.

What Is Semaglutide?

Studies show that semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a medication that helps control blood sugar, slows digestion, and reduces appetite and as a result have significant results for weight loss.

Brand names include:

• Ozempic: Injectable for type 2 diabetes
• Wegovy: Injectable for weight loss
• Rybelsus: Oral tablet for type 2 diabetes

How Does Semaglutide Works in the Body

Semaglutide has a long half-life (about one week), which is why injections are only given weekly.

It works by:

• Increasing insulin release after meals
• Slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach
• Reducing appetite and cravings

Because it stays in your system for days, any drug transfer into breast milk is something researchers have studied closely.

Can Semaglutide Pass Into Breast Milk?

Let’s take a look at some studies that looked at if breast milk is affected by semaglutide:

• LactMed (Dec 2024): No semaglutide detected in breast milk samples from mothers on injectable forms.
• 2024 Nutrients Study: Calculated RID ≤1.26%, far below the safety concern level of 10%.
• MotherToBaby and IABLE: Agree that injectable semaglutide appears safe in healthy, full-term infants, but stress that more research is needed.

Injectable vs. Oral Semaglutide During Breastfeeding

• Injectable (Ozempic, Wegovy): Backed by current research showing minimal to no milk transfer.

• Oral (Rybelsus:): Contains salcaprozate sodium, which may pose risks for infants. Lacks breastfeeding-specific safety data, so most experts recommend avoiding it.

Potential Risks and Considerations

Even if milk transfer is minimal, semaglutide can still indirectly impact breastfeeding by:

• Causing rapid weight loss that affects maternal energy and nutrition.
• Lowering calorie intake, which could reduce milk supply.
• Changing your postpartum nutritional needs, which might require dietary adjustments.

It’s best to evaluate with a healthcare provider like Women’s Wellness of Mississippi before starting semaglutide.

When to Avoid Semaglutide While Breastfeeding

Your provider may advise against semaglutide if:

• Your baby is premature or medically fragile.
• You want to use the oral version.
• Your weight loss goals are aggressive enough to risk milk supply.

Safe Use Strategies

If your provider approves injectable semaglutide:

• Start at the lowest dose and increase gradually.
• Keep calorie and protein intake high enough to support lactation.
• Monitor milk supply and infant growth.
• Schedule regular follow-ups with your provider and lactation consultant.

Conclusion: Semaglutide and Breastfeeding

Injectable semaglutide looks safe for most breastfeeding moms based on current research, but oral forms are best avoided.

Work with your provider to decide what’s right for you and your baby.

Women’s Wellness of Mississippi can help you create a safe, personalized postpartum plan, whether you’re exploring semaglutide, looking for safe weight loss, or balancing lactation with your health goals.

Contact us to get started today!

FAQs: Semaglutide and Breastfeeding

Does Ozempic affect fertility?
There’s no strong evidence that Ozempic impacts fertility in women or men. However, because it can influence weight and hormone balance, any potential effects on menstrual cycles or ovulation should be discussed with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.

Does semaglutide affect babies?
Current research on injectable semaglutide shows no detectable levels in breast milk and very low estimated infant exposure. No harmful effects have been reported in healthy, full-term infants, but long-term data is still limited, so monitoring is important.

Can I take semaglutide postpartum?
Yes, some women use injectable semaglutide postpartum, especially for weight management or type 2 diabetes. Your provider will help decide if it’s the right choice based on your health, recovery, and feeding goals.

Can I take GLP-1 while breastfeeding?
Injectable GLP-1 medications like semaglutide appear safe in breastfeeding mothers according to available studies, but oral forms are generally avoided due to added ingredients that haven’t been well studied in infants.

What are the benefits of semaglutide?
Semaglutide can help regulate blood sugar, promote steady weight loss, reduce appetite, and improve certain metabolic health markers. For people with type 2 diabetes or obesity, it may also lower the risk of cardiovascular complications.