>
>
>In a message dated 1/6/2006 5:12:15 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
>[log in to unmask] writes:
>
>as  giving an addicted baby breastmilk helps
>avoid painful and distressing  withdrawal symptoms.
>
>
>
>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
>There is  not enough of ANY addictive substance in human milk to  prevent
>withdrawal.  It is also unlikely that there is enough of any drug 
>in the milk to
>ameliorate the withdrawal symptoms.  What does help is the  act of
>breastfeeding and the skin-toskin c ontact with the mother.
>
>Nancy
>Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FABM,  FAAP


Nanc, my info comes from a presentation given by the director of 
Glasgow Womens Reproductive Health service, consultant obstetrician  
Dr  Mary Hepburn, whose clientele includes many drug using women. The 
work in their unit encourages breastfeeding, because (says Dr Mary) 
withdrawal sypmtoms are indeed lessened (and I was careful not to say 
'prevented' in my post), as well as (of course) giving a boost to 
mothering skills and supporting the mother-baby relationship.

I found a mention of this on the web:

http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/breastfeed/netnews5.htm

Whatever.....there appears to be certainly no clinical reason to 
prevent drug abusing mothers from breastfeeding; has anyone any right 
at all, protocol or no protocol, to 'instruct' mothers not to 
breastfeed???

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK

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