Kratom and Breastfeeding: Is It Safe?

As Kratom continues to gain popularity for its natural ability to provide pain relief, boost energy, and promote relaxation.

What Are the Traditional Uses of Kratom?

Traditionally, kratom has worn a lot of hats in Southeast Asian communities. Locals have chewed its leaves or brewed them into teas for everything from sharpening focus during long days in the rice fields to managing the aches and pains that come with hands-on work.

Some of its most common uses over the years include:

• Supporting physical endurance and boosting energy
• Enhancing appetite and (as a fun bonus) libido
• Managing blood pressure naturally
• Applying as a poultice to help heal wounds or provide local pain relief
• Assisting with blood sugar regulation
• Easing persistent coughs
• Soothing chronic pain and discomfort
• Addressing digestive issues like diarrhea
• Bringing down fevers

In short, kratom has served as a sort of multi-tool in traditional medicine cabinets—ready to lend a hand with daily aches or more stubborn ailments. 

Questions about its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding have also emerged. For new mothers, the postpartum period can come with a host of challenges, including physical pain, fatigue, and anxiety—issues that Kratom is often used to address. But is Kratom safe to use while breastfeeding?

In this blog, we’ll explore the risks and considerations surrounding Kratom use during breastfeeding, what the current research says, and why it’s important to prioritize both your health and your baby’s well-being. Plus, we’ll explain how 7OhHeaven ensures that all our Kratom products are lab-tested for purity and safety.

Can You Use Kratom While Breastfeeding?

Currently, there is limited research on the effects of Kratom during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because of this lack of scientific data, most healthcare providers recommend avoiding Kratom while breastfeeding to minimize any potential risks to both the mother and the baby. While Kratom is a natural plant-based supplement, it contains active alkaloids—namely mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—which can interact with the body’s opioid receptors and potentially pass through breast milk.

Kratom and Serotonin Receptors: What You Should Know

In addition to affecting opioid receptors, Kratom also interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This is similar to how certain antidepressant medications—like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Zoloft or Prozac—work. Some SSRIs are known to be present in breast milk, but research generally finds no short-term harmful effects on breastfed infants. Still, the decision to use these medications while breastfeeding is always carefully weighed with a healthcare provider.

With Kratom, the lack of research means we don’t know if its interaction with serotonin receptors carries additional risks for breastfed babies. Just as with any supplement or medication that affects neurotransmitters, it’s best to err on the side of caution and talk with your doctor before considering Kratom during breastfeeding.

Do Opioids Transfer Into Breastmilk, and Are They Safe for Nursing Mothers?

Kratom interacts with the body as an opioid receptor agonist, which means it can produce effects similar to those of prescription opioid medications. To better understand the safety of kratom use while breastfeeding, it’s helpful to look at what we know about traditional opioids.

Most opioid medications are known to pass into breast milk—especially when taken in larger doses. For instance, medications like morphine and codeine have shown up in measurable amounts in breastfed babies. While healthcare providers sometimes prescribe low doses of these medications to nursing mothers with relatively few short-term complications, it’s important to note that newborns can be especially sensitive to even small traces of opioids. The long-term safety of opioids during breastfeeding remains uncertain, and research is ongoing.

Due to these potential risks, medical guidelines typically advise caution or avoidance of substances—like opioids and kratom—that may pass into breast milk and affect developing infants.

The concern is that these alkaloids could enter the baby’s system through breastfeeding, affecting the infant’s development or causing adverse effects. However, more research is needed to fully understand how Kratom interacts with breast milk and whether it poses significant risks.

How Kratom Use During Pregnancy Can Affect Newborns

Emerging case studies have highlighted a concerning connection between kratom use during pregnancy and withdrawal symptoms in newborns. While large-scale research is still limited, the available evidence suggests that infants exposed to kratom in utero may experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)—a condition more commonly linked to opioid exposure.

In several reported cases, newborns developed withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, tremors, feeding difficulties, and vomiting, within hours to days after birth. Often, these symptoms were significant enough to require medical intervention, including the use of medications like morphine and, in some situations, additional drugs to help manage oversedation or heart-related side effects. The severity of symptoms appears to depend on the amount and frequency of kratom consumed during pregnancy.

This underscores the importance of avoiding kratom use if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Not only could your infant experience uncomfortable or harmful withdrawal symptoms after birth, but it may also lead to further complications and the need for intensive hospital care.

Is Kratom a Safer Alternative for Breastfeeding Mothers?

It’s understandable that some breastfeeding mothers, navigating the exhaustion and discomfort of the postpartum period, may wonder if kratom could be a “safer” substitute for prescription opioids or other medications. After all, kratom has a long history of traditional use in places like Malaysia and Thailand, where it was valued for its stimulant and pain-relieving properties. And in modern times, it’s sometimes used as a natural option to manage pain and opioid withdrawal.

However, just because kratom is plant-based doesn’t mean it’s automatically risk-free or superior to conventional medications—especially when breastfeeding. The key question isn’t whether kratom is “natural,” but whether it’s demonstrably safer for both mother and baby.

Potential Risks of Using Kratom While Breastfeeding

Here are some of the potential risks associated with using Kratom during breastfeeding:

1. Transfer of Alkaloids Through Breast Milk

The primary concern with using Kratom while breastfeeding is that the active alkaloids in Kratom—mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—may be transferred to the baby through breast milk. These alkaloids interact with opioid receptors in the brain, and while their effects on adults are generally well-understood, the impact on infants is not well-researched.

Infants have developing nervous systems, and the introduction of substances that affect opioid receptors could potentially lead to drowsiness, lethargy, or other unintended effects in the baby.

2. Lack of Research on Long-Term Effects

There is a lack of comprehensive studies on the long-term effects of Kratom use during breastfeeding. Without clear data, it’s difficult to assess the potential risks of developmental delays or other health issues that may arise from the transfer of Kratom alkaloids through breast milk.

3. Risk of Dependence or Withdrawal Symptoms

Another concern is that regular use of Kratom while breastfeeding could lead to the development of dependence in the infant. Just as adults can develop a tolerance to Kratom, it’s possible that infants exposed to Kratom alkaloids through breast milk could experience withdrawal symptoms if the mother discontinues use.

While this has not been specifically studied in breastfeeding infants, it’s a potential risk that warrants careful consideration.

Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers

If you’re a breastfeeding mother considering Kratom for pain relief, anxiety, or other issues, it’s important to weigh the potential risks and benefits. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Before making any decisions about Kratom use during breastfeeding, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized advice based on your medical history, current health, and the specific needs of your baby. Your doctor may suggest alternative methods for managing pain or anxiety during breastfeeding.

2. Explore Non-Kratom Alternatives

For breastfeeding mothers seeking natural remedies for pain or stress relief, there are other options that may be safer during this sensitive period. Consider exploring herbal teas, meditation, yoga, or speaking with a healthcare provider about safe pain management techniques that don’t involve Kratom or other potentially risky substances.

3. Timing of Kratom Use

If you choose to use Kratom while breastfeeding, timing can play a role in reducing the potential transfer of alkaloids through breast milk. For example, you might consider taking Kratom immediately after a breastfeeding session to allow more time for the substance to leave your system before the next feeding. However, this is not a guaranteed method of avoiding exposure, as the alkaloids may still be present in your body during the next feeding.

Are There Safe Strains of Kratom for Breastfeeding?

As of now, there is no specific Kratom strain that is considered safe for use during breastfeeding. While different strains of Kratom—such as Red Vein, White Vein, and Green Vein—offer varying effects, the risks associated with Kratom use during breastfeeding remain the same regardless of the strain.

That being said, if you decide to continue using Kratom while breastfeeding, it’s important to start with a low dose and monitor both your body’s response and any potential changes in your baby’s behavior.

Alternatives to Kratom for Postpartum Relief

For new mothers dealing with postpartum pain or fatigue, there are several alternatives to Kratom that may provide relief without the potential risks associated with Kratom use during breastfeeding. Some options include:

• Herbal Teas: Chamomile, ginger, and lavender teas are known for their relaxing and pain-relieving properties.

• Exercise and Yoga: Gentle exercise and yoga can help alleviate postpartum pain, improve mood, and reduce stress.

• Meditation and Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help manage anxiety and promote a sense of calm during the postpartum period.

• Acupuncture: Some women find relief from postpartum pain and discomfort through acupuncture, which stimulates specific points in the body to promote healing.

Why Quality Matters: 7OhHeaven for Lab-Tested Kratom

Whether you’re considering using Kratom for pain relief, stress management, or energy, it’s essential to choose high-quality Kratom products that are tested for purity and safety. At 7OhHeaven, we prioritize the health and well-being of our customers by offering lab-tested Kratom that you can trust.

Here’s why 7OhHeaven is the go-to choice for premium Kratom:

• Rigorous Lab Testing: All of our products undergo strict lab testing to ensure they are free from contaminants and meet the highest standards of purity.

• Ethically Sourced: We work directly with trusted farmers in Southeast Asia to source the highest quality Kratom.

• Educational Resources: At 7OhHeaven, we believe in transparency and education. We provide our customers with the information they need to make informed decisions about Kratom use.

Final Thoughts: Kratom and Breastfeeding

While Kratom is a natural supplement with many benefits, its use during breastfeeding comes with potential risks that should not be overlooked. The lack of research on Kratom’s effects on infants, coupled with concerns about alkaloid transfer through breast milk, means that caution is advised. If you’re considering using Kratom while breastfeeding, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the best outcome for both you and your baby.

Ready to explore safe, high-quality Kratom products? Visit 7OhHeaven today to learn more about our wide selection of lab-tested Kratom strains, and discover how we can support your wellness journey—safely and effectively.