Codeine and breastfeeding

[LadyPenelope8]

I know the advice is not to take codeine while breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk. However I've had a terrible headache for a couple of days which paracetamol isn't helping.

My ds is 2 and only feeds once in the morning and before bed now, so I'm wondering if I had some tonight and then won't bf until tomorrow, around 8, maybe earlier/later, this would be enough time in between??

I guess my aibu is would I be to take some tonight or is it a definite no-no?

Can you take ibuprofen instead? Codeine is not recommended at all for breastfeeding mothers (and children too) and based on the Infant Risk app which says to avoid it entirely I wouldn’t say don’t take (it is an app which looks specifically at the risk of different drugs and breastfeeding).

OP it's fine. I develop fibromyalgia after the birth of my daughter and was prescribed codeine, the strong stuff while breastfeeding.

Advice from both this and BNF is a no. I wouldn’t risk it at all.

I was prescribed codeine while I was breastfeed. It’s one of those that I think is only supposed to be taken under doctors advice as very rarely it can affect the baby. I was on a dose of 30/500 3 times a day for several months when I was breastfeeding and GP was happy with it though.

@BilboBercow it isn’t fine (doctor here). The advice has changed and we do not use codeine at all in breastfeeding mothers now. This is straight from the British National Formulary

Even with 30/500 the amount that goes into your breastmilk is thought to be negligible

I thought they told me when I had my babies that codeine turned into morphine when when it passes into breast milk ?

I honestly don’t think people should be giving medical advice that goes directly against the British National Formulary and other evidence based resources.

I wouldn't unless you can miss feeds to compensate. If you took it tonight then didn't feed until friday morning for example. Would he take a cup of milk?

It's an opiod - I wouldn't be taking that whilst breastfeeding.

2 day headache isn't good either though - any other symptoms?

I was prescribed codiene whilst breastfeeding but it was 12 years ago so things might have changed. Please take advice from a medical professional even if it's just ringing a pharmacy for advice.

Some dangerous advice on this thread MNHQ.

OP don’t take medical advice from strangers on the internet. Don’t take codeine whilst breastfeeding unless directed by a doctor.

We used to give it to everyone ten years ago, now we don’t give it to breastfeeding mothers because the evidence was updated. Is there any reason why you can’t take ibuprofen?

A terrible headache that ibuprofen and paracetamol wouldn't shift was one of my covid symptoms.

The codeine advice changed because some people metabolise it faster than others, so some people end up with higher levels in their blood, and this can pass into breast milk. There have been fatalities reported.
So some people (and their babies) will be fine, others would have terrible consequences.
Opiates can be safe in BF but only under medical advice, and not ones which can have this kind of variation in effect.

Thanks all, I will give it a miss.

The leaflet says don't, not just the usual seek advice if...Just wondered if roughly 12 hrs would be enough time for it to pass, like some say about alcohol (although I don't do that either for the record!)

2days as in all day yesterday and today, my stomach doesn't tend to like ibuprofen but I'll stick with the paracetamol tonight and see how it is tomorrow. Thanks all again

Unfortunately as others have said you shouldn't take codeine whilst breastfeeding.

@countbackfromten is that app available on iTunes? Sounds like it'll be really useful

@Lambkin14 they have one for healthcare professionals and another for mums - here is the link www.infantrisk.com/infantrisk-center-apps

Brilliant resource I use a lot (anaesthetist)

I was given it in hospital to help with the pain I had from stitches after childbirth and I was bf. I am unable to take ibroprugen though due to a stomach condition.

Thank you @countbackfromten

I don’t tolerate codeine and was advised by my dentist that I could take paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time, as they’re different enough

Also codeine is an opioid so my gut reaction is absolutely not if breastfeeding, and that you have to choose between taking it and giving the baby formula or not taking it

• and it really worked, same effectiveness of pain relief but without the side effects

Just a thought... women take codeine for pain relief in labour and then breastfeed afterwards with a second thought from the HCPs