OBJECTIVE:

To assess central nervous system depression and other adverse effects in infants exposed to benzodiazepines through breast milk.

STUDY DESIGN:

A prospectively recruited, retrospectively assessed cohort study of mothers who contacted the Motherisk program regarding the safety of benzodiazepines and were invited to participate in a follow-up program regarding the effects of these medications on their infants during lactation.

RESULTS:

A total of 124 consenting women participated. Adverse outcomes, specifically sedation, was identified in only 1.6% (2 of 124) of infants and was not associated with benzodiazepine dose, number of hours breastfed, or any demographic trait. Mothers reporting adverse outcomes in themselves (26% [32 of 124]) were more likely to be taking concomitantly a greater number of central nervous system depressants.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study supports the continued recommendation to initiate breastfeeding while taking benzodiazepines postpartum.

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