Is Tylenol taken by a breastfeeding mom, affect a 5 day old baby in any way ?

Question

I had a natural birth 5 days ago and am in lots of pain because they stiched me up besides other pain. I was prescribed OXYCODONE by the doctor and got relief, but over the weekend the dose got finished and there was no refill, the doctor could not also prescribe the medication over phone to the pharmacy since it is some special controlled substance. She said tylenol or motrin will do for today (Sunday) and I could get the proper medication on Monday.

I have been taking full doses of tylenol and brestfeeding constantly. Seems like the baby is unusally sleepy, she was quiet active for the last four days. Please advise anyone. Much appreciated for your advise.

Answer 1

I never was given Tylenol by my doctors or nurses after my deliveries. I know you can take it early in a pregnancy but after my deliveries I was givin Motrin. So I know that is safe to nurse with.

Answer 2

Tylenol is perfectly safe while breastfeeding. Many studies have been done that prove this.

It is not uncommon for a 5 day old to be sleepy. My recommendation is that you remove all her clothing (except diaper) prior to feeding her. Place her against your skin to nurse. Your body will maintain her body temperature, yet being naked will keep her more awake to get a good feeding.

As far as your incisional pain goes...my experience as a postpartum nurse is that motrin (600mg) every 6 hours is usually pretty effective if you are sure to take it regularly, If you wait until the pain becomes intolerable before taking the med again, it is much more difficult to control the pain. Using a sitz bath several times/day can also be helpful. I would try to come off the oxycodone if possible. Narcotics are constipating...and that is no fun!

Good luck!

Answer 3

neither medicine will affect your child. Having a mom whose pain is not controlled will affect the child.

I'm seeing this on Wednesday, so this whole thing has already played out. I hope you got the medicine you needed.

A few things about oxycodone:

1) They do have to be written, they cannot be called in.
2) They cannot have refills. You need a new presciption every time.
3) It does get into the breast milk, but in small quantities that are quite safe.

Babies at this age wake up long enough to eat and poop anyway. How would you know if it were the drug?

Answer 4

Tylenol is compleatly safe when breastfeeding. If the baby continues to be incredibly sleepy and hard to wake call the doctor immediatly. you know best so if you are worried better safe then sorry...most doctors have a oncall doc that can call you after hours so maybe call and talk to them. also i would check with the pediatrician about the OXYCODONE if anything. also make sure the prescribing doc is compleatly aware that your breastfeeding. go to drugs.com and look up any medicine in question it can give you lots o fgood info!! HTH

Answer 5

If doc said to take it, I guess I wouldn't worry too much. Oxycodone is a much stronger med than tylenol. Babies get more sleepy sometimes at this age if they are struggling at all with jaundice.

Answer 6

Tylenol is ok while breastfeeding. I would ask about the oxycodene. Motrin is also safe for breastfeeding moms (check on the dosage though, I can't remeber what my ob told me last time).

If your having problems waking your child i would call the on call Ped/OB and ask what to do.

Answer 7

Tylenol is the only pain drug completely approved for infants. Try and take the tylenol after you breastfeed, so the baby gets less.

Answer 8

I took Tylenol throughout my breastfeeding time and my baby was fine. This is actually one of the only meds that is ok for babies while you're breastfeeding! Most everything else should be avoided (unless the doc says ok.)

Good luck!

Answer 9

Tylenol + Birth = Retard baby with swollen head, three arms, four webbed fingers, two toes, and a partridge in a pear tree.