I have never heard of norbask (and it is not listed in the Canadian
book of medications, either as a generic or trade name), so I cannot
say anything about it.  Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, is
compatible with breastfeeding.

Which begs the question, why use a medication about which we don't
know and then scratch our heads?  There are easily 6000 drugs, some of
which are in the AAP list, which can be used for postpartum
hypertension which are also compatible with breastfeeding (methyldopa,
propranalol, etc).

Because no one knew the answer, or wished to take a risk and
pronounce, about this particular drug, and taking the usual
"breastfeeding is guilty until proved otherwise, formula innocent
until proved otherwise" tack, I will bet my nipple shields that this
mother was told, nay ordered, not to breastfeed.  This, in spite of
the fact that at 12 hours postpartum, the amount of milk the baby will
likely have gotten probaby would not fill a single contact lens.

AAAAAAAARGH!!!!

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC