GLP-1 and breastfeeding: can you take a GLP-1 medication while nursing? It is a fair question, because GLP-1 use after pregnancy is rising….FAST. Here is what the newest research shows, what we still don’t know, and how we approach it at Nervana Medical.
If only big pharma would focus their finances on more studies than lawsuits….I get that pregnancy and breastfeeding is a tough one to study, but this is only one of many that warrants additional research to offer better care for the patient.
What the New JAMA Study Found About Postpartum GLP-1 Use
A new JAMA study looked at more than 1 million deliveries among commercially insured women and found that initiation of GLP-1 medications within 6 months postpartum increased from just 0.08% in 2018 to 1.9% in 2025. That is roughly a 24-fold increase in seven years.
And among women with type 2 diabetes? Nearly 1 in 6 started a GLP-1 within 6 months after delivery.
Most women weren’t starting immediately postpartum either. The median time to initiation was about 3.5 months after delivery, with the majority starting between months 3–6.
Another interesting point? These numbers may actually underestimate use because the study didn’t capture cash-pay, compounded, or direct-to-consumer GLP-1 prescriptions. It also didn’t include Medicaid, which covers about 40% of U.S. births.
What We Know About GLP-1 and Breastfeeding
But there’s an important piece of this conversation we still need more data on: breastfeeding.
This study looked at prescribing trends, not whether GLP-1 medications are safe during lactation. The researchers couldn’t determine who was breastfeeding, and evidence surrounding GLP-1 exposure during breastfeeding remains limited.
GLP-1 RAs are large, highly protein-bound peptide molecules, so transfer into milk is expected to be minimal, and any ingested drug is likely degraded in the infant’s GI tract. The small studies we do have agree with that. According to the NIH’s LactMed database on semaglutide, semaglutide was not detectable in the milk of eight nursing mothers using weekly injections. LactMed’s tirzepatide summary reports that tirzepatide is usually undetectable in breastmilk at doses up to 5 mg, while still advising caution, especially with a newborn or preterm baby. LactMed also notes that some oral semaglutide tablets contain an absorption enhancer that may pass into milk.
Those are very small studies, though, and they don’t answer every question about GLP-1 and breastfeeding, like long-term effects or milk supply.
Why Postpartum Metabolic Health Matters
Pregnancy and postpartum can significantly change metabolic health, and we’re seeing more women seek treatment for weight, insulin resistance, gestational diabetes history, and type 2 diabetes after delivery. The JAMA authors note that gestational diabetes affects about 5% to 9% of U.S. pregnancies, about 20% of those women develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, and less than half of women return to their pre-pregnancy weight by 1 year postpartum.
The takeaway isn’t that everyone should start a GLP-1 postpartum.
It’s that postpartum metabolic health deserves attention and treatment should be individualized based on medical history, breastfeeding status, future pregnancy plans, nutrition, and overall health.
Our Approach to GLP-1 and Breastfeeding at Nervana Medical
At Nervana Medical, we typically do not prescribe GLP1’s while breastfeeding but are always more than happy to help once babe is weaned off the boobie. When you’re ready, our medical weight loss clinic in Sandy, UT starts with a weight loss consultation to build a plan around your history and goals. You can also review our medical weight loss pricing and our guide to handling GLP-1 side effects.
What do you guys think about GLP-1 and breastfeeding?
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