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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.

Sleep Remedies - Natural Herbal Solutions for Sleep, Relaxation, Anxiety & Insomnia

Learn about natural solutions and herbal sleep remedies for relaxation, stress-relief, anxiety-relief, depression and insomnia.

Testimonial

Pam, thank you so much! About a year ago, you counseled me about the wisdom of letting my body right itself after an IUD removal and not to worry, that our baby would come. Everything is playing out just like you said, all without medical intervention. Within 6 months of using your VitexPregnant Mother's Liver Tonic, and Preconception Tincture—the Hashimoto’s reversed and my thyroid numbers balanced themselves without any allopathic intervention!  In 6 more months, I now have my thick beautiful hair back and am newly pregnant with our first baby!  He or she is due in early December, so it will be the best Christmas ever for us!  L.C.