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Labor Medications: Oh yes, it affects breastfeeding.

by Laurie Chamberlin CD, ICCE, CLE

‘Will the pain medication I have in labor affect my baby?” asks my client Olivia with curious eyes. I think I know the answer she is hoping for and I don’t think I can give it to her. “Yes” I reply, to which I see a momentary flutter of disappointment cross her face. “Most medication reaches the baby in ten minutes.” At a lactation conference put on by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County, Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC says Fentanyl, a common pain medication used in labor, lasts about 2 hours in the mother and can last up to 13 hours in a baby. Babies should not be breastfed for 4 hours after administration. Often times mothers will receive more than one shot, that stacks up and may take a day or more for it to wear off in the baby.

Testimonial

I wanted to let you know that I have been taking your Iron Tonic since August 1st: one full dropper 3 times each day. My iron level at my appointment with my midwife on July 19th was 8.5 and this was a concern for her. My iron level at my appointment yesterday, August 14th, was 10.0. THANK YOU for helping me get that iron level up naturally!! You have no idea how relieved I felt when she read her machine! She told me to keep doing what I'm doing and I'll keep feeling better and better and I will definitely be continuing with it :)  A.C.