Can I Take GLP-1s While Breastfeeding?
Like many moms, I believed I would lose weight breastfeeding.
Like many moms, I did not.
It’s true that breastfeeding burns a significant number of calories. But it’s also true that you’ve probably never been hungrier, your hormones are wildly fluctuating, and sleep deprivation can do strange things to appetite regulation and metabolism. For me, weaning both of my kids actually led to weight gain — something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough.
And yet, we’re surrounded by messaging about “bouncing back after baby.” Smaller bodies. Faster timelines. Quiet pressure to shrink.
If you’re wondering whether GLP-1 medications are safe while breastfeeding, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions I get.
What are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide, tirzepatide, Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro®) are medications used to support weight loss and metabolic health. They can be incredibly effective — and for many people, life-changing.
I’m one of those people. I’ve been taking a GLP-1 for nearly two years and have experienced significant benefits, in addition to losing over 50 pounds. I started about a year after weaning my son, once lifestyle changes alone weren’t moving the needle.
But timing matters.
Can you take GLP-1s while breastfeeding?
The short, evidence-based answer right now is: GLP-1s are not recommended while breastfeeding.
When I asked my weight-loss physician what guidance she gives breastfeeding parents interested in GLP-1 medications, her answer was firm. She will not prescribe GLP-1s to patients who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding — and recommends waiting until breastfeeding is complete.
Importantly, this recommendation is not based on calorie restriction or weight loss itself.
It comes down to one key issue: there is not enough data on how GLP-1 medications affect breastfed infants in the long run.
My physician won’t even see patients in these stages because the science simply isn’t there yet — and when babies are involved, “we don’t know” is a valid reason to pause.
What does the research say about GLP-1s and breastfeeding?
A 2024 review published in Nutrients looked at GLP-1 receptor agonists in reproductive-age patients and highlighted a key limitation: human lactation data is extremely limited, but early findings are somewhat reassuring.
In one small study referenced in the review, seven lactating women taking semaglutide had breast milk samples analyzed and no clinically meaningful amounts of the medication were detected in breast milk.
GLP-1 medications are large peptide molecules, which makes significant transfer into breast milk biologically less likely. Even if trace amounts were present, large molecules are typically poorly absorbed through an infant’s gastrointestinal tract.
So why the hesitation?
Because this data:
Involves a very small sample size
Captures short-term exposure only
Does not answer questions about infant appetite regulation, growth patterns, or long-term metabolic effects
In other words, early evidence suggests minimal transfer, but we don’t yet have enough data to confidently say there is no risk, with prolonged exposure.
Why doctors recommend waiting
GLP-1 medications are powerful tools — but they are not urgent ones.
From a medical perspective, the recommendation to delay GLP-1 use during breastfeeding is about risk vs. benefit. Weight loss can almost always wait. Infant exposure questions should not.
That’s why many physicians, especially those specializing in obesity medicine, advise waiting until breastfeeding has ended before starting a GLP-1.
What to do if you’re breastfeeding and struggling with weight
If you’re breastfeeding and feeling frustrated with your body or stuck in postpartum weight changes, there are supportive, evidence-aligned steps you can take now:
Give yourself grace. Your body has been through pregnancy, birth, and the intense metabolic work of lactation. Maintaining or gaining weight during this season is not a failure.
Focus on protein, healthy fats, and whole foods. This will help stabilize blood sugar and supports satiety without intentional restriction.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration can worsen fatigue, hunger, and milk supply concerns.
Move your body gently and consistently. Walking, light strength training, stretching — it all counts, especially when sleep is limited.
Talk to your doctor about hormones. Many hormone therapies and medications, such as Metformin, are well-studied and compatible with breastfeeding. If something feels off, it’s worth investigating.
GLP-1s will still be here when you’re done breastfeeding
GLP-1 medications aren’t going anywhere. Allow your body to do what it needs to do to grow and nourish your babies, and when that chapter closes, you can work with a health care provider to assess your need for a weight-loss medication. Bonus: We may have more research by then too.
In the meantime, love your body and celebrate all it’s done for you. You’re doing an amazing job!
