tylenol with codeine question -- Dump milk or not?

[Cybercere]

Hi all,

My baby was born 12/28/2009 at 41 weeks. Due to a shoulder injury I suffered right before her birth, I was prescribed Tylenol 3 right after her birth by my midwives. She had to be in the NICU for 10 days due to meconium aspiration and during that time, I pumped a lot of milk which is now in my freezer - I took the Tylenol 3 until she was about 1 week old and then stopped after reading that it can be dangerous for breastfed babies. So, I am not sure what to do with the milk - should I throw it out? pediatrician said it should be fine as the problem was only for moms who are rapid metabolizers - anyone faced this?

thanks!

[by-the-lake]

I took tylenol with codeine after DD was born. The OB prescribed it for after pains. No problems. If you are further concerned, call a lactation consultant. She can reassure you as well.

[*MamaJen*]

I had never heard of that before, but it looks like there is a rare but potentially serious possibility of side effects.
This article looks at the issue, and seems to suggest that the most sensible course of action is to keep breastfeeding, but be on the lookout for signs that the baby is reacting to the medication.
If she's out of the NICU and breastfeeding well, I might dump the milk just to be on the safe side. You can always rebuild your freezer stash.

[kriket]

There is a small chance that your kid is allergic or reactive to codeine too. Chances are she isn't because you aren't. I have convulsions from codeine, it's technically a side effect but doesn't manifest in everyone.

I would dump and rebuild.

[PatioGardener]

The problem manifests when mom doesn't metabolise codeine quickly so morphine by products build up and than can affect baby. It is more common in some ethnic backgrounds than others.

I would not dump the milk if I didn't know for sure that I was a slow metaboliser, but instead I would mark it and keep it. It's good for a year in the deep freeze! Once baby is older I'd be comfortable using it once in a while if I watched baby for signs of sedation. If I saw none I would use it without worry.

[Cybercere]

I hate to dump because....

I did read the articles. My dilemma is that it's the really good milk with the colostrum as it was the milk from days 2-8 that is in the freezer - she was being fed through a tube at that time so I saved it all and then started nursing. If it wasn't for that, I'd dump and rebuild.

I have it in my refrigerator freezer - how long is it ok there? I figured I'd wait until she was older too and then watch her or thaw it and mix it with newer stuff so she's getting "half and half".

I wish I weren't so paranoid - the whole NICU thing really screwed with my head.

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

The problem manifests when mom doesn't metabolise codeine quickly so morphine by products build up and than can affect baby. It is more common in some ethnic backgrounds than others.

I would not dump the milk if I didn't know for sure that I was a slow metaboliser, but instead I would mark it and keep it. It's good for a year in the deep freeze! Once baby is older I'd be comfortable using it once in a while if I watched baby for signs of sedation. If I saw none I would use it without worry.

[Twinklefae]

NICU is hard on everybody!

I wouldn't worry about it though. That's what everyone I know who's had a C-section was prescribed for pain.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Cybercere

I have it in my refrigerator freezer - how long is it ok there? I figured I'd wait until she was older too and then watch her or thaw it and mix it with newer stuff so she's getting "half and half".

I wish I weren't so paranoid - the whole NICU thing really screwed with my head.

I think 6 months in the fridge-freezer as long as it is NOT in the door. 6 months is probably on the long side of most recommendations... but I have amazing faith in both freezers and the resiliency of breastmilk, so I tend to go with the longer estimates.

Your reaction to the NICU stay is completely normal and really common. You are not alone. I hope you and your baby are doing well now, and enjoying lots of skin-to-skin snuggly-nursy time!