Need Advice About Pain Meds and Breastfeeding

Hey there A. C

First of all Congrats on breastfeeding for 6 months that is awesome. I have had three children and breastfeed all of them on the same note I have had 3 C- Sections due to Medical issues as a Child. Like you I was really worried about taking Pain Meds (I was also given percocet). The doctor assured me that the baby would be fine and I did not notice a whole lot from it. What I did not know and might be of some intrest to you is that if you are in a lot of pain that you milk will not come down and you run the risk of drying up. So there is more Pros to taking those pills then Cons. If you are in Pain take the Pain Meds and the baby will be fine and your milk supply will stay strong.

So sorry to hear about your leg

i used percosets after my c-section, i just waited till right after i nursed to take them. that way they were pretty well out of my system be the next feeding. and i didn't take them unless i needed them...once the ache started, but before it was full on pain. i think it will be ok for you to continue what you are doing. it might make the baby a little drowsy, but just relish the extra rest and take care of your leg.

Dr. Hale's book, Medications and Mother's milk, states that it is okay to take it. Only small amounts are excreted in breast milk. The recommended dose is 5mg every 6hours. it says also, that "following a dose of 5-10 mg every 4-7 hours, maternal levels peaked at 1-22 hours and analgesia persisted for up to 4 hours." It rates percocet as a "L3" which is for lactation and it is "moderately safe."

I had a home birth planned, but once I started pushing she stuck out a knee and we realized she was breech! I had to be taken to the hospital for a cesarean :( I tried to avoid percocet, but also ended up taking it to be able to function for about 2 weeks. I could see no affects on my little girl. It is hard when you already are working very hard to give your baby the best, but at the same time are needing some pain relief. Rest assured. The affects if any are minimal. Just focus on healing yourself!

kellymom.com is a wonderful resource for breastfeeding and medication questions- they have an entire library. Its good for pretty much any and all breastfeeding questions too.

I am so sorry to hear about your broken leg. I hope you're feeling better soon.
I think it sounds like you've gotten excellent advice.
All that I can think of adding is to be careful of your balance while/if you're carrying him with the crutches and the Percocet. Never carry him down stairs yourself until you're off crutches.
Good luck.

I refused it myself because I didn't need it in that case, but just remember that ladies that have c-sections take Percocet every day and breastfeed just fine. Your baby will do OK I'm sure. I can't even imagine what kind of pain that leg is causing...get well soon!

Hi A., I agree with the other Moms. I also had two c-sections with my dds. They gave me percocet also for the pain. I never really noticed any side affects from taking it and breastfeeding. HTH! Good luck and take care of yourself!

Bless your heart. I hope you get better really soon.
My only suggestion is to call your OB and tell them your concerns and see what he says.

I hope your legs heals fast!

I have breastfed on percoset and my son has been in the 99th percentile since birth. I also had to use vicodin while pregnant w/ my daughter because my knee went out and I had to get knee surgery. I used them as long as I had to and my children are very happy and healthy. They will be fine. Don't worry, just don't use the prescriptions any longer than they are prescribed.

Wow, a broken leg and a newborn... hard work! My second and third babies were born via c-section. Both times, I took Percocet for a couple of weeks and exclusively breastfed. They are now 3 and 6, and always have been perfectly healthy. In fact, they were terrible sleepers as babies, so the meds definitely did not make them drowsy!! Good Luck.
C.

Yes, I had two C Sections and one I was on Percocet and the other I was on Loritab. both are fine for baby.

W.