There is research on prenatal cocaine exposure (during pregnancy) and long
term cognitive effects -- it showed an average 3 point IQ deficit in the
children exposed to cocaine prenatally.  This in contrast to the 5-8-10 IQ
points from formula exposure post-natally.

I am not aware of *any* studies of short- or long-term outcomes in babies
who breastfed from mothers who used cocaine, but you have to balance any
*hypothetical* negative outcomes against the *documented* negative outcomes
of formula-feeding.  We must always keep in mind that bottle-feeding with
formula is NOT a "risk-free" option.  And while some may argue that a mother
who continues to use cocaine may not be responsible with respect to
breastfeeding, it is equally true that she may not be responsible with
respect to bottle-feeding, including acquiring and properly preparing and
administering formula.

I say go with breastfeeding and try to get the mother into a drug treatment
and general support program.

Kathy Dettwyler

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html