Lactation support

Breastfeeding is generally considered safe if birth parents are in active recovery with MOUD, such as methadone or buprenorphine. General information on breastfeeding practices is presented in the AAP policy statement, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk. The AAP clinical report, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, provides information for hospital-based pediatric teams to develop individualized protocols and recommendations for breastfeeding based on the mother’s MOUD treatment course and history of return to opioid use. If there are no other contraindications, breastfeeding should be supported for infants of mothers in treatment for OUD. Breastfeeding is contraindicated when a birth parent is HIV positive, and/or when a birth parent is HCV positive, and their nipples are cracked or bleeding.