New moms may wonder what they can and can’t do while breastfeeding. Nursing moms avoid drinking alcohol, eating spicy foods, or taking any medications not prescribed by their doctor. But what about Botox? Is this cosmetic treatment safe for your baby when breastfeeding?
## What is Botox? 
Doctors aren’t completely sure if Botox can show up in breast milk or be transferred to your baby. Botox is made from botulinum toxin, a toxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This toxin reduces wrinkles by relaxing the muscles of your face. The botulinum toxin can paralyze the target muscles to give you smoother skin. At low doses, Botox is completely safe and has FDA approval. But will this toxin affect your baby?
## Is Botox Harmful?
In very high doses, the botulinum toxin can be harmful. The toxin can cause botulism, a rare illness that can paralyze muscles, attack the nerves, and even lead to difficulty breathing. Most cases of botulism are linked to eating food that was improperly canned or preserved. Botox injections are completely safe. The FDA approved Botox at a low dose. In most cases, a typical Botox treatment will be far under the approved dosage. 
## Does Botox Affect Breast Milk?
What you eat as a new mom can affect your breast milk. Processed foods can contain toxins, while fresh fruits and vegetables can contain pesticides. These substances may be transferred to your baby through breast milk. So it’s a reasonable concern to wonder if Botox injected into your face could end up in your breast milk.

The jury is out on the effects of Botox on breast milk. Researchers think that Botox doesn’t end up in breast milk, but it’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor before booking your next Botox appointment.
## Botox Stays in Muscles for Months
Unlike alcohol or other substances, Botox takes months to metabolize. It stays localized in the targeted muscles and tissues for a long time before being metabolized. This means it is very unlikely that Botox will transfer into breast milk.
## Should I Pump and Dump?
New moms sometimes “pump and dump” if they’re worried there might be toxins in their breast milk. Women may pump the milk but then throw it away rather than feeding it to their baby. However, pumping and dumping does not remove harmful substances from breast milk. It won’t get rid of alcohol in your milk or get substances out of your system faster. You will still need to wait for any harmful substances to metabolize out of your body on their own time.
## Botox and Breastfeeding
Botox treatments are used for both medical and cosmetic reasons. If you get Botox to manage pain, muscle spasms, or excessive sweating, talk to your doctor about breastfeeding and Botox. You may decide to continue Botox treatments while breastfeeding or choose another treatment option while breastfeeding. 

While there’s no evidence that Botox treatments will affect your child while breastfeeding, the final decision is up to you.

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