Breastfeeding and Methadone Therapy: The Maternal Experience

Breastfeeding support and opiate dependence: A think aloud study

“…Jansson and Velez (2015) reported a lack of professional understanding and insight of the unique infant feeding needs of substance dependent women. Likewise, Demirci et al (2015) concluded that misinformation from professionals represented a modifiable barrier to successful breastfeeding for this cohort. In this study participants spoke of the necessity of accessing information regarding the impact and consequences of NAS, but found a reluctance, or lack of awareness, amongst some staff groups when the subject was broached.…”

“…This limits the degree of transferability of the findings and the applicability of this work to other settings would depend on the specific local context. The sample size was small and self-selecting although this does mirror existing literature in this context where sample sizes typically range from 4 to 8 participants (Demirci et al 2015;Jambert-Gray, 2014;Jansson et al 2008). Whilst the sample does limit potential generalizability of the data the findings do resonate with previous studies conducted both with the general population of breastfeeding women and literature specific to substance dependence (Oakley et al 2014, Jansson andVelez 2015).…”

“…Demirci et al (2015) conducted interviews with pregnant OMT women exploring breastfeeding initiation and further focus groups with 4 postpartum mothers on their breastfeeding experience. The findings reported a perceived lack of support from hospital based clinicians, misinformation and undermining practices regarding breastfeeding support and management.…”

A Pilot Study to Assess Breastfeeding Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Individuals Who Work in Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Settings

“…Conversely, factors associated with breastfeeding in the general population have been studied extensively, and among other things, health care provider support and counseling about breastfeeding has consistently been identified as a key predictor of breastfeeding behaviors. [17][18][19][20][21] Because women in treatment for OUD may face additional obstacles and perceived barriers to breastfeeding (e.g., past sexual trauma, fear of medication transmission, and fear of hepatitis C transmission), 22,23 support from a professional within the treatment setting may be quite important among these women. However, in a recent small qualitative study of women receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT), the majority reported that their prenatal care providers and the staff at their treatment center had not discussed breastfeeding with them during their pregnancy.…”

Adulterating Breast Milk: Vitamins, Opioids, and Radioisotopes

“…Of particular concern was the lack of knowledge by the staff of the literature that supports breastfeeding as an integral part of health management of the opioid-dependent mothers. 6,7 Clearly, we have work to here, given the opioid epidemic that is ravaging the United States.…”