PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alex M. Cressman
AU  - Gideon Koren
AU  - Anna Pupco
AU  - Eunji Kim
AU  - Shinya Ito
AU  - Pina Bozzo
TI  - Maternal cocaine use during breastfeeding
DP  - 2012 Nov 01
TA  - Canadian Family Physician
PG  - 1218--1219
VI  - 58
IP  - 11
4099  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/58/11/1218.short
4100  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/58/11/1218.full
SO  - Can Fam Physician2012 Nov 01; 58
AB  - Question In my practice several patients have struggled with cocaine abuse during their pregnancies. One woman, now postpartum, wants to breastfeed her infant. Despite being abstinent for the final few months of her pregnancy, I am concerned about the potential adverse effects on her child if she happens to relapse. What is the current evidence about the risks of cocaine exposure during breastfeeding? Answer Given the substantial benefits of breastfeeding for infant health and development, there is no reason for mothers who previously abused cocaine to avoid breastfeeding. It is important for the health care team to counsel patients both on the serious potential risks of cocaine exposure for babies and on the benefits of breastfeeding, to allow for an informed choice. Additionally, attempts should be made to estimate maternal commitment to breastfeeding and discontinuation of cocaine use, and to offer addiction counseling to mitigate the potential risks of infant cocaine exposure. It is paramount to minimize the risk to the infant, which would certainly include mothers ceasing use of cocaine while breastfeeding. For mothers who elect to breastfeed and use cocaine intermittently, breastfeeding should be delayed sufficiently after cocaine use to allow for drug elimination (approximately 24 hours).