Paracetamol and pregnancy
Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant. It is commonly taken during pregnancy and does not harm your baby.
Paracetamol and breastfeeding
You can take normal doses of paracetamol (one or two 500mg tablets, every 4 hours up to 4 times in 24 hours with a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours) if you are breastfeeding.
Paracetamol is a first-choice painkiller during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk in very small amounts. The amount of paracetamol your baby gets is far less than what they would get from a dose of paracetamol given to them directly.
It has been used during breastfeeding for many years without any negative effects on children.
Paracetamol and fertility
There's no good evidence to suggest that taking paracetamol will reduce fertility in either men or women.
Find out more about how paracetamol can affect you and your baby on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.