What Is The Effect Of Narcotics During Breastfeeding On The Baby?

Posted on Sat, 6 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 6 Dec 2014 Answered on

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter in. Law is on. Oxycodone and Percocet 17 days post partum. Baby no longer breast feeding so mother pumps and bottle feeds. Baby had dr visit says she is normal. Sleeps 4 to 5 hrs after each feeding fearful daughter I law did not tell dr she still takes her narcotics. I am worried sick. We have not discussed with our son because he asked in the hospital if it was ok and they assured him it was. Dcsullivan3

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
She shouldn't take.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome To HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney.
I understand your concern.
She should not take narcotic drugs. Even if she pumps and then feed baby, the drugs will excrete out in milk and will intoxicate the little baby.
Sleeping after feeding is normal but you can't say that baby is not getting the narcotics and is not sleeping cause of that.
I suppose, she should control her nerves and stop taking narcotics just for well being of her child.
If she resists, you should not hesitate in taking help of a De addiction specialist or a psychiatrist.
If you have any further query please ask me.
Stay Healthy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar