At the Infant Risk Center, our work is a labor of love. Years ago, we recognized a significant gap in drug research involving breastfeeding mothers, and we took it upon ourselves to address this issue. We are passionate about supporting mothers and healthcare providers as they navigate the complexities of medication safety, ensuring that both mother and child can thrive.

Founded in 2011 by Dr. Thomas Hale, a renowned expert in breastfeeding and maternal medications, the Infant Risk Center of Excellence (IRC) is an established international leader in lactation pharmacology. Dr. Hale's groundbreaking work, which began in the late 1980’s, focused on the transfer of medications into breast milk and has laid the foundation for safety protocols that highlight the life-saving benefits of mothers' milk even in the presence of maternal medication.

Located at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in Amarillo, the IRC serves as a globally recognized resource dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals and mothers worldwide. The InfantRisk Center mission is to support the health of moms and babies through the creation and translation of breastfeeding medicine research. Through this commitment, we continue to advance the understanding of lactation pharmacology and its implications for maternal and infant health.

Healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and lactation consultants, rely on the Infant Risk Center (IRC) for expert guidance on medication safety. Each consultation typically addresses multiple medications, averaging 3-4 drugs per call, with the primary goal of assessing the risk of infant exposure while promoting and encouraging safe breastfeeding.

Our team, comprised of experts in pharmacology, obstetrics, pediatrics, and lactation, is dedicated to addressing the complex and often unprecedented issues faced by our callers. We take pride in delivering timely, accurate, and compassionate responses, consistently finding innovative solutions that enable mothers to safely access necessary medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Since 2013, we’ve published over 40 studies on drug transmission through human milk, publishing 5-7 new studies each year, with a dozen more currently under development.

Some of our current goals include:

• Conducting research on the transmission of newly released drugs into human milk.
• Training new physicians and pharmacists in Breastfeeding Medicine.
• Educating medical, pharmacy, and nursing students about Breastfeeding Medicine.
• Expanding our support for calls from mothers and healthcare providers.
• Helping more mothers continue breastfeeding safely.

The InfantRisk Center (IRC) is equipped with a state-of-the-art Clinical Pharmacology laboratory featuring advanced technologies, including highly sensitive and specific mass spectrometry and a variety of biological assays including PCR and  ELISA tests. Our diverse research portfolio explores critical aspects of breastfeeding pharmacology, molecular medicine, and genetics, significantly contributing to the expanding body of knowledge in lactation and pharmacology through annual publications.

Our placement at the TTUHSC School of Medicine fosters collaboration with university researchers with a wide range of knowledge, including pharmacoepidemiology, data science and real-world evidence, toxicology, dairy science (at the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine located on our campus), pharmacokinetics, and virtually every medical specialty. We collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, CROs, milk banks, universities, government organizations, and private partners to drive our mission forward.

Unfortunately, we understand first-hand from our call center that research results are not always enough for decision-makers to be confident when making medication choices for breastfeeding women. As a result, we also engage in ongoing research, education, and outreach initiatives aimed at raising public awareness about safe medication use during crucial periods of maternal and infant health. Through partnerships with healthcare professionals and organizations, we strive to enhance the quality of care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. The added benefit of these efforts is the direct conduit from our research results to the end-user of the information!

With over thirty years of specialized experience in lactation, the IRC provides unparalleled expertise in lactation pharmacology for parents, healthcare providers, regulatory authorities, and pharmaceutical sponsors. 

The InfantRisk Center is dedicated to supporting the health of mothers and infants at the intersection of maternal medicine and breastfeeding--a complex phenomenon where medical support often falls short for these families. In the 1900s, as companies selling human milk substitutes prioritized profits over patients' well-being, aggressive marketing practices disrupted breastfeeding, the gold standard of infant nutrition. In response, the WHO developed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes to protect mothers and infants. We support the Code and share the WHO's commitment to fostering safe, healthy infant feeding practices that truly benefit both mothers and children.