Drug Rehab For Mothers: Drugs Are Transferred to Breast Milk
Many studies have shown that drugs and alcohol can be transferred from breast milk to infants thus drugs and alcohol should be avoided while breast feeding. Mothers who struggle with reducing drug and alcohol consumption should consider entering a drug or alcohol rehab. In an alternative to AA, a self-empowering approach can be used to help mothers learn how to abstain from all drugs and alcohol and learn tactics to cope with cravings so mothers can continue to breast feed without possible harm to the infant. Individualized treatment plans can be created for mothers who are breast feeding which can emphasize on specific thoughts, feelings and behaviors that may have been the cause for their drug and alcohol consumption, and learn how to manage them.
Should mothers who abuse drugs continue to breastfeed their babies? Should mothers discontinue the use of certain medications when breastfeeding? There has been some confusion and disagreement on this issue in scientific circles. A team of researchers in Spain and Italy reviewed analytical methods of detecting drugs in breast milk and offered recommendations to mothers (Friguls et. al., 2010).
\”The general recommendation is to totally avoid drug abuse while breastfeeding, because these substances can pass directly through to the newborn,\” said co-author Oscar Garc
