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Original poster

Taken a co-codamol by accident - breastfeeding!

32 replies

pastabest · 09/11/2019 19:24

DP seems to have put a blister pack of co-codamol he got a while ago for back pain back in a box of ibuprofen. He was taking them at the same time so it will have been accidental and done in a fog of pain/tiredness.

I popped what I thought was 1 ibuprofen at about 6.30 just to take the edge off some period pain, and poured myself a large glass of wine

I've just noticed (when I went to top up the wine) that it was co-codamol, and never haven taken it before googled and now know that you shouldn't drink or breastfeed if you take it.

I feel fine.... so it doesn't look like it's reacted with the alcohol much.

'baby' is 18 months old and will probably wake up somewhere between 12 -1pm wanting a feed. Will scream the house down if one is not available (I'm trying to wean her off but she's not having it).

I don't need to worry too much do I? Or should I be preparing for a bad night if I can't feed her?

OP posts:
FenellaMaxwell · 09/11/2019 19:25

Send DH in to her if she wakes

BendingSpoons · 09/11/2019 19:28

I wouldn't worry too much. It is quite a long time gap, you only took one and she is 'older'.

PastTippingPoint · 09/11/2019 19:29

The Breastfeeding Network will have an information sheet on it, and you can email. I got a reply fairly promptly when I used it before, but it wasn't on a Saturday night.

I think the issue with codeine is the amount of time it takes to metabolise and how it is metabolised by the baby also? If your LO is not feeding for a few hours after you had it you might be ok, but worth emailing BFN!

Interested in this thread?

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Families General health
HunnyMummy1993 · 09/11/2019 19:31

Wouldn’t be too worried OP.

I was prescribed this whilst breastfeeding for a painful health condition.

If you’ve had a glass of wine, you will sleep very well though. (Not at all speaking from experience! — i still have the Health condition and have a prescription for the stuff, btw, i didn’t chug codeine and wine whilst breastfeeding)

Haggisfish · 09/11/2019 19:31

It’ll be fine.

HunnyMummy1993 · 09/11/2019 19:32

And send DH in with water if she wakes, this might be a good opportunity to reduce the nightfeeds.

HugoAvril · 09/11/2019 19:33

I breastfed whilst taking tramadol and codeine from birth to one year. I checked with infant risk.org. Would have rather not needed them but had a bowel condition.

Original poster
pastabest · 09/11/2019 19:33

Send DH in to her if she wakes

Gladly. Probably won't solve the problem though. Grin

OP posts:
SheShriekedShrilly · 09/11/2019 19:33

I was prescribed co-codamol post C-section (twice), while feeding a newborn. So do check with the Breastfeeding Network pharmacist advice line, but I’d be very surprised if it was a problem.

divafever99 · 09/11/2019 19:34

I wouldn't be too worried. I was breastfeeding after a c section and was given oral Morphine, much stronger than co-codamo. I'm almost certain too I was given co-codamol to take when I went home. If it is the type you have bought over the counter it will be the lower strength (8/500) anyway.

ragged · 09/11/2019 19:34

I think I had it prescribed, too, for after pains with DC3 & 4.

QueenArseClangers · 09/11/2019 19:35

I was prescribed and took codeine throughout breastfeeding my DC.
The main risk is with tiny babies and how they metabolise codeine but at 18 months the risk seems to be small.
If you’re concerned speak to a breastfeeding/drug specialist as HCPs with no specialist breastfeeding knowledge will probably tell you not to take anything stronger than a Junior Disprol.

FenellaMaxwell · 09/11/2019 19:37

As he doesn’t have boobs she’ll be less likely to get so furious about not being breastfed

Original poster
pastabest · 09/11/2019 19:40

And send DH in with water if she wakes, this might be a good opportunity to reduce the nightfeeds

We've been trying to wean her off for a while.

She doesn't take kindly to seeing DP instead of me, she goes into an arched back type of rage and starts flinging things out of her cot (there's a dent in the wall from last time we offered her a bottle of water). She also burst his lip with a well aimed punch a week or so ago.

Because we also have a 3yo (who self weaned like a dream at 8 months old) it's been easier just to pander to her than have two angry toddlers awake at 2am.

OP posts:
Original poster
pastabest · 09/11/2019 19:41

I must add she's a delightful child during the day. Not sure what gets into her at night.

OP posts:
SnugStars · 09/11/2019 19:43

It’s very rare that babies have a disorder that means they metabolise codeine quicker/differently. I think the risk would be if you were taking them regularly and your baby had this condition.

MollyMorals · 09/11/2019 19:50

She doesn't take kindly to seeing DP instead of me

She also burst his lip with a well aimed punch a week or so ago

I’m surprised you find this amusing.

I was prescribed co codamol when DD was 2 weeks old.

123bananas · 09/11/2019 20:12

I was prescribed codeine when I had my first c section and was breastfeeding a newborn, she was fine. It is not advised as different people metabolise codeine to the opoid product at different rates (this is genetic) and some small amount transfers to breastmilk, but as a one off I wouldn't be too concerned unless you experience respiratory depressio, somnolence and grogginess when you take it then I would pump and dump.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2776794/

Original poster
pastabest · 09/11/2019 20:15

I’m surprised you find this amusing

There is nothing in my posts that suggests I found it amusing.

Anyway glad the general consensus is that it's probably no harm done.

OP posts:
bobstersmum · 09/11/2019 20:20

She will be fine op don't stress about it. I'm still bf dd and she's 2.5. She's also an alarmingly good shot when she throws something in a rage (and I'm definitely not finding it amusing either before I get told off).

LittleMissEngineer · 09/11/2019 20:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

phenomenalcat · 09/11/2019 20:48

I was also prescribed it after a c-section when baby was tiny so I wouldn't panic too much.
I know how you feel with the weaning, only mine is 2 1/2 Confused Dad just doesn't have the necessary equipment for settling even though he tries.

ShinyGiratina · 09/11/2019 20:57

I was on co-codemol for a few weeks after the birth of DS2 in the aftermath of a nasty tear. He was EBFed and thrived from the start.

The guidence changed a few months later.

I wouldn't stress an accidental dose particularly for an older baby.

QueenoftheDay · 09/11/2019 21:00

Send your husband in with a cup of cows milk. Or is that not the done thing?

Elbowedout · 09/11/2019 22:48

There is a bit of misinformation on this thread..
Codeine is a pro - drug. It isn't effective until it has been converted to its active metabolite which is morphine. People vary as to what percentage of codeine they metabolise to morphine and how quickly, which explains why there is such a wide spectrum of how people respond to it. At one end of the spectrum there are those who metabolise very little to morphine and hence don't find codeine at all effective as a painkiller and at the other end of the spectrum there is a small propotion of the population who are ultrametabolisers - they metabolise virtually all the codeine they take to morphine, and do so very quickly. This is genetically determined and it isn't a disorder, it is just one end of the range of normal.

Unfortunately there has been a small number of deaths over the years due to mums who are ultrametabolisers breastfeeding after taking codeine, meaning that their babies received unusually high doses of morphine via their milk. It is rare, and most people will of course be absolutely fine. If you are an ultrametaboliser who has taken codeine previously you will probably know as you will be one of the people who is very sensitive to it. The problem of course is that some people won't find out until it is too late. Babies and children are at higher risk than adults because of their small size and immature organs. For this reason, the Dept of Health issued guidance quite a number of years ago that codeine should no longer be prescribed for children under 12 or for breastfeeding mothers. However, a suprising number of people, health care professionals included, still seem to be unaware of this. It cannot be assumed that because one bf mum has taken codeine uneventfully that another one will. Or that doctors who are still prescribing have special knowledge - more likely they are not up to date.

It isn't something to panic about though. Most people are not ultrametabolisers and if the cocodamol hasnt made you unusually sleepy that provides extra reassurance. The amount of morphine likely to be taken in by an 18 month old breastfeeding after their mum has taken a single cocodamol tablet is very small. It is however, worth knowing the rationale for the advice, and what to look out for in baby - excessive sleepiness, slow breathing, slow heart rate etc. The Breastfeeding Network has an article on the subject on their website which is worth a read. In all likelihood your baby will be absolutely fine but people shouldn't really be saying that there is no risk attached to breastfeeding after taking codeine.