Co codamol and breastfeeding?

[Yrmyfavourite]

Hello,

When visiting my midwife today with 3 day old DD, having had an ELCS I told her that my pain was pretty bad and she advised me to take co codamol but, told me that the GP wouldn't prescribe it to me whilst breastfeeding and so, I should get DH to tell the pharmacist that it is for him in order to get some. My sister had some at home and brought it to me and I took a dose but, it was playing on my mind that she said a GP wouldn't prescribe so. I've since googled it and there are red flags all over about the risks of it so, now I’m panicking a bit! I’m not going to take any more but, wondering why she would recommend it was safe if it isn't and also, wondered if anyone on here had any further advice on it?

Thank you!

What’s done is done so don’t stress

a lot of drugs aren’t deemed to be safe during breastfeeding because there’s not enough data

but I’ve been told it’s not the best painkiller when breastfeeding as it can make baby drowsy so I was on a cocktail of alternating paracetamol and ibru after my recent Elcs in December

either way, knowing there were risks, I don’t think midwife should have asked you to lie to a gp to get it

breastfeeding network is an invaluable source of info on this and should ease your concerns

Thank you @Namechanger355!

Very worrying that a midwife told you/DH to lie to a pharmacist to get hold of inappropriate medication. Pharmacists ask questions for good reasons to make sure of drug interactions and suitability for use. A small amount of codeine (metabolised to morphine in the body) probably hasn't caused too many/any problems to the baby but definitely don't take any more. Alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen (if you can take it safely) should manage most pain. If not, talk to a pharmacist (honestly!) and they should be able to offer alternatives.

Codeine did used to be given as a standard post-CS drug where I work, until maybe 5 years ago. I think it was in Canada where there had been cases of it affecting baby's breathing. BUT this was found to be a build up of the codeine in the babies after many doses, not just a one off dose. so I wouldn't panic, but I wouldn't take any more.

Your GP might prescribe something more appropriate.

I have been prescribed it for during pregnancy for headaches but worrying about it affecting baby. Maybe taper to the 8mg?

I was given dihydrocodine I the hospital for this reason and sent home with a prescription for it. Maybe you could try that?

I had both co-codamol and tramadol whilst breast feeding for birth injuries and ruptured piles. Dr prescribed both without any worries. If I hadn't have had adequate pain relief I wouldn't have been able to feed my baby anyway. Neither drug had any adverse effects on my baby.