Accidentally breastfed after codeine

[didntreaditproperly]

I had a migraine coming on today and have taken 4 Nurofen Plus tablets, 2 at about 2.30, one at 7pm and another one just now, at 10.30pm. I've just realised that without thinking I breastfed my baby at about 5pm. It was a full feed on one side of (I'm guessing) about 150ml. He hasn't had anymore since then, just some formula at bedtime.

I have only just realised that you are not meant to breastfeed on codeine and am now panicking that I have harmed him. He was normal afterwards and doesn't seem lethargic now, on the contrary he has just woken up crying for a feed, but it looks as though it can cause breathing difficulties in some babies.

Does anyone have any experience of this or knowledge about the drugs involved? Each tablet contains 200mg ibuprofen and 12.8mg of codeine.

Don’t risk it, go to A&E.

My children are teens now, but I was sent home with 30mg tablets of codeine after both were born. I was taking 2 at a time, which was prescribed.
I'm not sure what the current advice is, but both of mine are fine.

10 years ago my doctor prescribed 4 weeks worth of codeine in response to severe breast pain I was having (turns out strong antibiotics would have been better, as they were four weeks later, but huh..). Obviously things may have changed since then but said baby I was then breastfeeding is now a lovely, but 10 year old.

I was prescribed codiene with my last son but that was 8 years ago. Was fine to breastfeed then. I was prescribed the codiene because I couldn’t breastfeed on amytriptyline and I was prescribed a much higher dose and much more regularly dose than you’ve taken. It didn’t touch it so I ended up on tramadol. I wouldn’t worry yourself.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/codeine/

This is the best resource for medication while BFing. I wouldn't be worried.

Oh ignore me then Op!! Sure it will be fine! Hope your headache feels better and you get some sleep.

An adverse reaction has been observed in a very small number of babies but generally it is tolerated well. I think generally the issues arose where mums were consistently taking codeine so it was building up. I seem to remember that it was believed there was some genetic component which affected how codeine is metabolised.

If baby is alert and feeding well I think it would be reasonable to just watch carefully. I say this as a bf mum though, I'm not a medical expert in any way so obviously trust your instincts and seek medical advice if appropriate.

For future reference paramol (which contains dihydrocodeine) is preferred over over co-codamol etc that contain codeine as it is metabolised differently.

Breastfeeding Network is excellent and Wendy the pharmacist associated is fab.

DOI: I'm an anaesthetist and a mother and your baby will be fine- done worry!

Thank you so much everyone. This has done a lot to alleviate my worrying although I am still kicking myself at making such a stupid mistake. That link was very useful thank you.

Do you think I will be ok to feed him again in the morning or should I give it longer? Online advice seems to suggest waiting 15 hours which would mean 1.30pm tomorrow and pump/dump until then.

Slightly comforted by the fact he has been awake for the past hour and full of beans. Hope we can all get some sleep now.