Both tegretol and phenobarb are used for small children. Phenobarbital is a
difficult one to figure, because it has a long half life, but on the other
hand if the mother is using it during pregnancy, the baby is likely to
develop enzymes to metabolize it. Both these drugs can be measured in the
baby's blood, if there is concern.
I would encourage the mother to breastfeed.
Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC